Drew Barrymore’s Husbands and Relationships: The Complete Timeline
Fleeting passions and lasting bonds uncover unexpected lessons in love's winding path.

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Drew Barrymore’s love life has long been a subject of public fascination. As a Hollywood icon who rose to fame as a child star in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, she has lived much of her personal life in the spotlight. Barrymore has been married three times, experienced public heartbreaks, cherished genuine friendships with former flames, and come to embrace singlehood on her own terms. This comprehensive guide walks through the men who have mattered most in her life, the ups and downs of each union, and the lessons Barrymore herself has shared about romance, family, and finding peace.
Drew Barrymore’s Three Marriages
Drew Barrymore has tied the knot thrice, each relationship bringing distinct twists, brief joys, and lasting lessons.
Jeremy Thomas
- Timeline: March 1994 – April 1994 (married for only 19 days)
- Who: Los Angeles bar owner, British-born Jeremy Thomas, 31, met Barrymore, 19, at his bar on the Sunset Strip
- Story: Their romance was fast and impulsive, beginning at Thomas’s bar and culminating in a Las Vegas-style wedding just six weeks later. The ceremony was quirky and spontaneous, with little time for deep reflection.
- Aftermath: Barrymore filed for divorce less than three weeks after marrying. She later described it as a “stupid” youthful decision, propelled by emotion more than compatibility.
Quote: “He needed the marriage, and I stupidly agreed to it. It was such a joke. … The press lied about it, we lied about it.”
Tom Green
- Timeline: July 2001 – December 2001 (married for five months, together for about 18 months)
- Who: Canadian comedian and actor, met Barrymore on the set of Charlie’s Angels
- Wedding: Held July 7, 2001, at a private Malibu estate, attended by friends like Cameron Diaz and Courtney Love.
- Challenges: The marriage not only weathered normal pressures but also a fire at their home and Green’s battle with testicular cancer.
- Aftermath: Tom Green filed for divorce in December 2001. Years later, the pair rekindled an amicable friendship. In 2020, Green appeared on Barrymore’s talk show for the first time in years; the two reminisced about their brief marriage and trips, providing closure.
Barrymore’s reflection: “There is a joy that’s earned by failure or triumph. All those things add up to teach us if we are open to it.”
Will Kopelman
- Timeline: June 2012 – April 2016
- Who: Art consultant and son of former Chanel CEO Arie L. Kopelman
- Relationship: The pair started dating in 2011, got engaged within a year, and married in a lush Californian ceremony. Barrymore and Kopelman welcomed two daughters together: Olive (born 2012) and Frankie (born 2014).
- Parenthood: Barrymore has repeatedly attributed much of her happiness to co-parenting: “I like watching him be a father … right now, the focus is about how we’re figuring things out as parents.”
- Divorce: In 2016, the pair divorced but maintained strong ties for the sake of their children. It remains her longest and most stable marriage.
Insider view: “Drew had a very rebellious and wild childhood, with no family around her, and while she is a very different person now and a great mother, some of that can stay with you.”
Whirlwind Engagements and Short-Lived Romances
Barrymore’s journey wasn’t just about marriages; it featured several headline-grabbing romances and at least one rapid-fire engagement. These relationships, though briefer, played key roles in shaping her outlook on love and stability.
Name | Approximate Date(s) | Relationship Highlights |
---|---|---|
Leland Hayward III | 1989-1990 | Briefly engaged; Barrymore was 16, Hayward was 24; engagement called off. |
Jamie Walters | 1992-1993 | Whirlwind romance and engagement after meeting in 1992; broke up within a year, but left a memorable imprint on both. |
Balthazar Getty | 1990 | Brief relationship with the oil heir and Lord of the Flies star. |
Corey Feldman | 1989-1990 | Her first public boyfriend at age 14; attended 61st Academy Awards together. |
High-Profile Boyfriends: Hollywood’s Notable Faces
In addition to her marriages, Barrymore’s dating history includes a number of recognizable celebrities and musicians. Many of these relationships garnered tabloid interest and showcased her signature openness to love.
- Eric Erlandson (1994): Barrymore dated the Hole guitarist, calling him someone who gave her a sense of extended family. She was vocal about wanting a boy and a girl—years before having kids.
- Luke Wilson (1996-1998): Met on the set of Home Fries. Their romance eventually turned into a friendship, with Barrymore even helping Wilson land a role in Charlie’s Angels.
- David Arquette (1990s): Another fellow actor with whom she shared brief romance.
- Justin Long (2007-2010): On-again, off-again relationship; paired in films like He’s Just Not That Into You. Their close friendship after breaking up drew positive attention.
Drew Barrymore on Lessons Learned About Love
Barrymore’s openness about heartbreak, her evolving perspective on love, and her journey toward self-acceptance have inspired fans around the world. She’s spoken candidly about the impact of her unconventional upbringing and how it shaped her views:
- She once shared: “I’ve stopped believing in happy endings. I’ve started believing in good days.”
- On co-parenting: “I really love it being all about the kids. Maybe that’s my compensating for not having parents myself or a childhood, but right now, the focus is about how we’re figuring things out as parents.”
- Barrymore credits her romantic setbacks for helping her gain maturity, clarity, and lasting friendships from her exes—including Tom Green and Luke Wilson.
Barrymore’s Relationship Timeline at a Glance
Partner | Relationship Status | Year(s) |
---|---|---|
Corey Feldman | Dated | 1989-1990 |
Balthazar Getty | Dated | 1990 |
Leland Hayward III | Engaged | 1990-1991 |
Jamie Walters | Engaged | 1992-1993 |
Jeremy Thomas | Married | 1994 (19 days) |
Eric Erlandson | Dated | 1994 |
Luke Wilson | Dated | 1996-1998 |
Tom Green | Married | 2001-2002 |
Justin Long | Dated | 2007-2010 (off and on) |
Will Kopelman | Married | 2012-2016 |
Singlehood Embraced: Barrymore After Divorce
Since her 2016 divorce from Will Kopelman, Barrymore has chosen to focus on her daughters, career, and personal growth rather than rushing back into dating. She regularly speaks about the joys and struggles of solo parenting and how her daughters have become her primary source of fulfillment. While often linked to potential suitors, Barrymore has made it clear she’s thriving independently for now.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many times has Drew Barrymore been married?
Three times: to Jeremy Thomas (1994), Tom Green (2001-2002), and Will Kopelman (2012-2016).
Does Drew Barrymore have children?
Yes. She shares two daughters, Olive and Frankie, with her third husband, Will Kopelman.
Is Drew Barrymore currently in a relationship?
No. Since her 2016 divorce, Barrymore has focused on raising her daughters and pursuing her career, though she remains open to love if the right person comes along.
Who was Drew Barrymore’s longest marriage?
Her marriage to Will Kopelman lasted four years and is her longest to date.
How does Barrymore maintain relationships with her exes?
She’s known for remaining friends with many former partners, including Tom Green and Luke Wilson, often highlighting mutual respect and shared memories.
Conclusion: Barrymore’s Romance Legacy
Drew Barrymore’s love life exemplifies the unpredictable nature of romance in Hollywood. Despite the pressures of fame, she’s managed to learn from messy breakups, value meaningful connections, and become a devoted parent. Her story is a testament to the importance of resilience, reinvention, and embracing each new chapter with honesty and humor. As she said herself, “What tomorrow will bring is still in question. There is a joy that’s earned by failure or triumph. All those things add up to teach us if we are open to it.”
References
- https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3295628/drew-barrymores-relationship-history-revealed-she-dated-david-arquette-luke-wilson-and-justin-long
- https://parade.com/celebrities/drew-barrymore-husbands
- https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a60016479/drew-barrymore-boyfriends-dating-history/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxUlMMCoBnM
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a44139293/drew-barrymore-dating-history/
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