Drew Barrymore Bursts Out in Joy During Surprise Reunion on Her Birthday

The actress and talk show host, Drew Barrymore, celebrated her 49th birthday in a unique style on February 22 on the celebratory episode of ‘The Drew Barrymore Show.’ On the Thursday episode, the stars from Barrymore’s favorite show ‘The Facts of Life’ reunited to wish her the best on the occasion. Amid the show, Barrymore explained what the characters played by actors such as Mindy Cohn, Lisa Whelchel, and Nancy McKeon meant to her as a child.

Barrymore Priases Lisa Whelchel, Mindy Cohn, and Nancy McKeon for Teaching Her Life Lessons

Referring to McKeon’s character, Barrymore said that Jo was a major inspiration for her. According to the actress, the character was bold, strong, and tough, and helped a lot of other women to understand the reality as McKeon has indirectly helped them get rid of unnecessary intimidations. 

‘You are so dear,” McKeon responded. 

A few seconds later, Barrymore slowly drifted from McKeon to Blaire, who for her represented an idea that people can still be friends with each other even if one gets intimidated by them. Blaire was the only one who taught Barrymore that nobody has to fear anyone. “Because you might already know how famous and beautiful people scare you,” Barrymore added. Meanwhile, Blaire interrupted her and corrected, ‘It’s not about the outside, it’s about the inside of a person.”

While Barrymore continued to praise McKeon and Blaire, Cohn was eager to hear a few words about her and learn how her role, Natalie, in the show had influenced Barrymore. “What did I do Drew,” she cheekily asked. 

“Natalie, to me, was always the person who had an instilled knowledge of good, evil, right, and wrong, which I admired and lacked growing up,” she remarked and added that Natalie was also a “giant moral compass” for her. 

Later in the same episode, Barrymore explained how The Facts of Life became her favorite show by breaking down why it was a seminal piece of entertainment for her. “I think people like me, who didn’t grow up in a complete family or two-parent household, can relate to your characters as you were raising yourselves and you were raising each other,” Barrymore explained. According to her, back then, the television shows focused more on family shows to which she couldn’t relate. 

From The Facts of Life, Barrymore learned how to be her strength. “I was learning to be strong for myself and I was learning to become an independent woman who can take care of herself and her female friendship while realizing that someone out there is always watching you,” Barrymore said emotionally. 

“I badly wanted to be with you guys and I live by the blueprint you gave me. It made me feel better and I mean it,” she concluded. 

On the Wednesday episode of the chat show, Jimmy Fallon surprised his “Fever Pitch” costar with an extraordinary birthday gift– Madame Tussauds wax statue of her figure. 

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“This is so crazy!” she yelled at the revelation. “I always wondered, if I would get picked someday, and I never thought I would, “she said jokingly. The surprise wasn’t revealed unless Barrymore was provided with clear hints that read “What comes in 5 ft, 4 inches and will have you in double?” The clues also included fake plastic eyes, brushes, and bars of wax.