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**Headline: Michael Douglas Recalls Young Drew Barrymore Waitressing: ‘She Was Incredible’**
Michael Douglas shared a heartwarming anecdote about his first encounter with Drew Barrymore on Wednesday night’s episode of “The Drew Barrymore Show.” The “Wall Street” actor, 80, recounted meeting the then 11-year-old Barrymore while she was working as a waitress at a popular Upper West Side restaurant called Columbus in the early 1980s.
Douglas, who admitted he initially thought Barrymore was older, remembered her professional demeanor. “It was this real hot restaurant… and this waitress comes over to serve me, and it’s this 11-year-old young lady here,” he explained. “And I said, ‘Well, is it past your bedtime?’” Douglas playfully asked, adding that Barrymore was “incredible.”
Barrymore, whose career began at just 11 months old and skyrocketed after starring in “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” reminisced about that period of her life, acknowledging a challenging upbringing marked by early independence, including working and going to clubs. She also dealt with alcohol and drug addiction.
Barrymore revealed that while she was “having the best time ever” during her youth, she eventually sought to build a more stable and fulfilling life. She emancipated herself from her parents at age 14 after a stay in rehab. In past interviews, Barrymore has spoken candidly about the struggles she faced as a young teenager, emphasizing the importance of support for those battling addiction.
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