Drew Barrymore Pays Tribute To Robin Williams’ Influence On Her Career
On a recent episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, Drew Barrymore reminisced about the profound influence Robin Williams had on her as a young performer. Joined by Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, and Robin’s daughter, Zelda Williams, the conversation turned to their latest film, Lisa Frankenstein, which also marks Zelda’s directorial debut.
Drew, 48, fondly recalled her first encounter with the legendary actor and comedian when she was just 7 years old and had recently starred in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. She shared how Steven Spielberg introduced her to Williams during a taping of Saturday Night Live, an experience that left a lasting impression.
“I got the privilege of meeting him for the first time when I was 7 in 1982. [E.T. director] Steven Spielberg brought him to Saturday Night Live that I was hosting,” she recalled, reminiscing about her youthful nerves.
The discussion took a heartfelt turn as Drew expressed her admiration for Zelda’s talent and the impact he had on countless lives. “He’s so wonderful and he has put so much beauty into this world. And he means so much to people,” the actress and host reflected.
Zelda, 34, visibly moved by the conversation, acknowledged the emotional weight of her father’s legacy. Drew commended Zelda for continuing to honor her family’s legacy and expressed her joy at seeing her pursue her own creative path.
Lisa Frankenstein, Zelda’s directorial debut, was not without its challenges. Working with a script by Diablo Cody, known for her work on Juno and Jennifer’s Body, presented daunting moments for Zelda. Yet, she embraced the opportunity, showcasing her confidence and understanding of the material.
Speaking of the hurdles she had to cross, Zelda stated, “I think that was the thing that scared me most as far as tone goes. Starting with a campy comedy can be really daunting. But I’m very grateful. We had such a good time.”
Before the film was released, Diablo praised Zelda’s directorial prowess, highlighting her intelligence, film literacy, and innate confidence.
“The very first time we met, I thought to myself, ‘I can’t believe this person has never directed a feature before, because I feel like I’m meeting someone who’s 10 films in.’ It was that confidence that drew me to her and also just that she had such an innate understanding of the source material,” she shared.
