Jay Leno Recalls Meeting Drew Barrymore When She Was 3 Years Old: 'I Was Dating Her Aunt'

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Ross Mathews, Drew Barrymore and Jay Leno.Photo:The Drew Barrymore Show

The Drew Barrymore Show

Jay LenoandDrew Barrymorego way back!

On Thursday, Sept 12, the formerTonight Showhost surprised Barrymore and cohostRoss Mathewswhen he revealed that he met the actress when she was a toddler during a segment ofThe Drew Barrymore Show.

(L) Ross Mathews and Drew Barrymore on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’.The Drew Barrymore Show

(L-R) Ross Mathews, Drew Barrymore and Jay Leno on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’.The Drew Barrymore Show

“I believe the first time I did theTonight Showwith Jay was when[Johnny] Carsonwas still the host and Jay was the guest host,” she said before addressing Matthews, who got his “big break” as an intern on the long running talk show.

“But I also know what it’s like for a gentleman to take a chance on you and change the life that you know," she told Matthews. “And for me that wasSteven Spielberg, and for you it’s Jay Leno. It’s the deepest, and most meaningful, profound thing.”

“Well, I’m very proud of both of you,” Leno said.

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Mathews rose to fame when he began as an intern forThe Tonight Showin 2001. He went on to become a correspondent and was nicknamed “Ross the Intern” on the show.

“I still think of you as a kid but you’re like a grown adult now,” Leno told Mathews on the segment. “We enjoyed having you. I always liked you. because you were kind.”

source: people.com