At first glance you'd assume actress Drew Barrymore had been dealt a lucky hand of cards. She's beautiful, rich, famous and has the pick of some of the best movie roles around. But the talented star has had to buck the odds to get where she is today. A child star at seven after starring in the smash hit movie ET it looked as if a golden future lay ahead, but at just 13 Drew was in rehab for drug and drink addiction. Since then there have been family estrangements, a string of broken relationships, two failed marriages, and a devastating house fire in which she lost all her possessions. But far from feeling downbeat, the plucky star says she's one of the happiest people she knows. "I've always been a happy person," Drew says with a beaming smile. "All those experiences have led me to the path I'm on now. Everybody could be cynical and jaded but I fight those things off. I'm not jaded at all." And while other starlets such as Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears can't seem to keep away from rehab, sensible Drew reckons she's overcome her own demons for good. "The way I see it is what happened to me made me more human," she reasons. "I have so much positive energy now. I can't even last an hour in bed in the morning. I have to get out there and live," she adds with a laugh. For a while it looked as if her career would go the way of many child stars who struggle to make the transition to adult roles. Born into the powerful Barrymore acting dynasty - her late father was acting legend John Drew Barrymore, her grandfather Hollywood titan John Barrymore and her mother Jaid was also an actress - Drew was just five when she made her big screen debut and seven when she shot to fame in Steven Spielberg's ET: The Extra Terrestrial. However, by the age of 13 she was battling an addiction to alcohol and cocaine. But after a spell in the movie wilderness the determined star surprised everyone by bouncing back with a run of hits including Charlie's Angels, The Wedding Singer, Donnie Darko and Never Been Kissed. Not only that, Drew has proved she has a head for business too by becoming a respected movie producer. And despite her difficult early years the 32-year-old star says she's never lost her passion for the business. "This is a wonderful job," she beams. "And I never take myself too seriously. I've never been miserable on a set. I don't see how you could be, it's such a fantastic way to make a living." Now one of Hollywood's most bankable leading ladies, Drew has carved out a successful niche playing bubbly, upbeat heroines. But her latest movie Lucky You allowed Drew the chance to explore her darker side. "My character definitely isn't as upbeat as those I usually play," she explains. "But I wanted a change. I definitely wanted to explore the dark side," she smiles. In the film Drew plays aspiring singer Billie Offer who forms an unlikely romance with Huck Cheever (Eric Bana), an ambitious poker player and all round commitment-phobe. Not surprisingly, the path to true love doesn't run smoothly, though Drew says she was smitten with her character when she read the script. "I immediately liked Billie's honesty and humility and the way she sees the world," she explains. "She is idealistic but also very grounded." Playing a more complex character wasn't the only challenge. Drew had to learn to sing for the role and admits it was a daunting experience. But as for a second career in music, the star insists there's no chance. | 
