Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon: The Unlikely Love Story
When it comes to Hollywood romances, Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon may not be the first couple that comes to mind. But their friendship-turned-romance is one of the sweetest love stories in Tinseltown.
Their Early Years in Hollywood
Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon both started their careers in Hollywood at a young age. Barrymore made her acting debut in 1980, at only seven years old, in the film Altered States. By the time she was a teenager, she had starred in several hit films, including E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Firestarter, and Poison Ivy.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Fallon started his career as a stand-up comedian before becoming a cast member on the iconic sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live, in 1998. He quickly became known for his impressions of celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld and Adam Sandler.
A Chance Encounter on The Tonight Show
Despite both being well-known figures in Hollywood, it wasn't until 2005 that Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon crossed paths. Barrymore was a guest on Fallon's talk show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, to promote her new film, Fever Pitch.
The two hit it off immediately, with Fallon later recalling that he was "blown away" by Barrymore's down-to-earth personality and sense of humor. "She's just the coolest," he gushed to People magazine.
Becoming Friends
After their initial meeting on Late Night, Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon became fast friends. They started hanging out off-camera, going to concerts and sporting events together.
In fact, they were such good friends that when Barrymore got engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti, in 2004, she asked Fallon to be one of her bridesmaids at the wedding.
Their First Date
Despite their close friendship, it wasn't until several years later that Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon started dating. In 2007, they went on their first official date to a New York Knicks basketball game.
Fallon later recalled that he was nervous about the date, admitting that he had a "crush" on Barrymore for years. "I thought I was never going to date her, like it was never going to happen," he told People.
Luckily for him, the date went well. "We just clicked," Barrymore later said of their relationship.
Their Relationship Goes Public
Despite keeping their relationship under wraps at first, Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon eventually went public with their romance. They made their first public appearance as a couple at a New York Knicks game in April 2007.
The two were often spotted out and about together in New York City, holding hands and laughing. They even took a romantic trip to Paris together that summer.
A Short-Lived Romance
Despite seeming like a perfect match, Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon's romance was short-lived. They broke up in early 2008, citing distance and busy schedules as the reason for their split.
Despite the breakup, the two remain close friends to this day. In fact, Fallon invited Barrymore back to his show in 2018, where they reminisced about their time together and joked about what could have been.
In Conclusion
Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon's love story may have been short-lived, but it remains one of the sweetest friendships-turned-romances in Hollywood history. Their story is a reminder that sometimes the best relationships start out as friendships.