Key Points

Drew Barrymore and Catherine Zeta-Jones shared how Steven Spielberg fundamentally shaped their careers. Zeta-Jones revealed Spielberg saw her in a Titanic TV miniseries and recommended her for The Mask of Zorro. Barrymore's life was changed as a child star in Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The role in Zorro also led to Zeta-Jones meeting her future husband, Michael Douglas.

Key Points: Catherine Zeta-Jones and Drew Barrymore Thank Steven Spielberg

  • Spielberg discovered Zeta-Jones on TV and cast her in Zorro
  • Barrymore's career launched as a child in E.T.
  • Zeta-Jones screen tested with Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins
  • Michael Douglas saw Zorro and knew she was "the one"
3 min read

Catherine Zeta-Jones, Drew Barrymore say Steven Spielberg changed both of our lives

Drew Barrymore and Catherine Zeta-Jones credit Steven Spielberg for their Hollywood breakthroughs on E.T. and The Mask of Zorro, which also led to her meeting Michael Douglas.

"So are we saying that Steven Spielberg changed both of our lives? Okay, thank God for Steven Spielberg. - Drew Barrymore"

Washington, DC, September 9

Actors Drew Barrymore and Catherine Zeta-Jones have credited legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg for launching their careers in Hollywood, reported People.

For the season six premiere of 'The Drew Barrymore Show', Barrymore welcomed 'Wednesday' star Catherine Zeta-Jones. In a preview clip of the full episode airing, Barrymore reflected on Zeta-Jones' career-defining role as Elena Montero in 1998's The Mask of Zorro.

"I mean, The Mask of Zorro," Barrymore said. "Whoa, hello, somebody walked onto the stage and changed everything forever as we know it."

Asked if there was any moment from the film that "jumps out" for her, Zeta-Jones said, "Oh my gosh, so, so much, but I remember being in the TV series of Titanic, which is not the Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet one, but it was okay. I needed the job," reported People.

"And, Steven Spielberg happened to be watching TV on a Sunday night and went, 'Oh, who's she? Maybe she should be good in Zorro.' I get a call next week to go and meet the director Martin Campbell," she added.

She remembered how quickly things moved. Just a few days later, she said, "I was on a plane to Mexico."

"Next few days, I was screen testing with the gorgeous Antonio Banderas and my old home country icon Anthony Hopkins, who directed me in a play when I was 18 years old, and there I was and I thought to myself, 'If this ends right now, this has just been a dream come true.' And then I got the job and it changed my life," she said, as quoted by People.

Barrymore replied, "So are we saying that Steven Spielberg changed both of our lives? Okay, thank God for Steven Spielberg."

Barrymore was just seven when she captured hearts in Steven Spielberg's 1982 classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, as per the outlet.

Years later, Spielberg's casting of Catherine Zeta-Jones in 'The Mask of Zorro' would change her life in unexpected ways. After seeing her performance in the 1998 film, Michael Douglas--then already a Hollywood veteran from Fatal Attraction--said he instantly knew she was "the one."

In a 2016 appearance on 'The Jonathan Ross Show', Douglas revealed he even asked his publicist to arrange a meeting. While their first encounter didn't go entirely as planned, the couple went on to build a life together, welcoming their first child before marrying in 2000, reported People.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
It's amazing how one person's recognition can change someone's entire career trajectory. Spielberg spotted talent where others might have missed it. This is why mentorship matters so much in any industry!
A
Ananya R
I remember watching Mask of Zorro in theaters with my family! Catherine was absolutely stunning and Antonio Banderas made quite the pair. Spielberg's intuition was spot on 👌
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Michael C
While it's heartwarming, I do wish Indian filmmakers would also get this kind of global recognition for discovering talent. We have so many brilliant directors who've launched incredible careers too!
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Sarah B
Drew Barrymore in ET was my childhood! And Catherine in Zorro - what a combination of talent discovered by one legendary director. Hollywood magic at its best ✨
K
Karthik V
The part about Michael Douglas seeing her in Zorro and knowing she was "the one" - that's so romantic! Sometimes life works in beautiful ways. Both these ladies owe so much to Spielberg's eye for talent.

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