Drew Barrymore's Tattoos Completely Capture Her Rebellious Spirit

Updated on 1/31/2024 at 3:25 PM

As one of the coolest celebrities of the 1990s and now, one of the most revered talk-show hosts on TV, Drew Barrymore has become nothing short of an icon. From palling around with Courtney Love and being one of the original "Charlie's Angels" to teaching emotional maturity via her incredibly intimate celebrity interviews, Barrymore boasts a storied career that has kept her in the spotlight for decades. Still, one thing some people may not know about the star is that she is a lover of tattoos. Barrymore has multiple designs, ranging from a sweet dedication to her children to one-word reminders that help to keep her centered — not to mention the famous butterfly on her lower belly. The latter is a design that she rarely shows, but since getting it in the early '00s, she has also added an assortment of flowers to the same area, just slightly closer to her left hip.

Many of Barrymore's designs are minimalist in nature, but if you are a body-art aficionado, you'll love the meanings behind each piece just as much as you love the ink themselves. So whether you're looking for some inspiration or are simply curious about Drew Barrymore's tattoos, read ahead for a look at all of her ink.

— Additional reporting by Britt Stephens

Drew Barrymore's Three Fish Tattoo

In 2023, Barrymore got an outline of three sardines stacked on top of each other tattooed on her left forearm. She got the ink with her good friend Savannah Gutherie, though the duo got different designs. Barrymore's represents herself and her two children. Fish are also said to symbolize wisdom, prosperity, and abundance, so this is a fitting addition to her collection.

Drew Barrymore's Breathe Tattoo

Barrymore has an outline of the word "Breathe" etched onto her inner-left wrist. "I find that even though it's on my wrist and event though I need it to survive, I forget." Barrymore previously said in a POPSUGAR interview. The star goes on to say that she's never regretted taking a moment to breathe in a tense situation and that the practice helps to ground her.

Drew Barrymore's Back Tattoos

Barrymore has two lowerback tattoos. The first is of three cherubs holding a cross as a tribute to her estranged mother, Jaid Barrymore, and the other is a cherub holding a banner that says "James" in reference to James "Jamie" Walters, a singer-actor she was briefly engaged to in 1993.

Drew Barrymore's Script Forearm Tattoo

In 2021, Barrymore added another tattoo under a previous outline of a bird that she had on her right forearm. The script design reads "home is where we are," and is an homage to her daughters Olive and Frankie. "I never knew what home was until I had my daughters," she said in the Instagram video. "When I was in rental apartments, or not knowing where life was going, or so upset that the plans I tried to solidify for my kids had changed, it really led to the discovery of what home really means for me — and that is if we are together, wherever we are, home is where we are."

Drew Barrymore's Oliva and Frankie Tattoo

In March 2016, Barrymore got her daughters's names, Olive and Frankie, inked on the inside of her right wrist.

Drew Barrymore's Celtic Cross Ankle Tattoo

Barrymore has had this Celtic cross surrounded by vines tattooed on her ankle since the '90s. She has never publicly shared the meaning behind it.

Drew Barrymore's Moon Tattoo

There's a tiny crescent moon on Barrymore's right big toe. Though she has never shared the meaning behind it, the moon is often a symbol of mystery, feminine energy, and change.