In this clip snagged from the January 27, 1983 episode of NBC’s TODAY Show, 8-year-old Drew Barrymore discusses her career and her latest movie, ET.  With the sincerity only obtainable by children, this child-star explains how she was cast as Gertie in ET and introduces the world to her favorite stuffed animal.  In the near three decades since the filming of this interview, Barrymore has led a successful career, going on to form her own production company and star in movies such as Never Been Kissed and Charlie’s Angels.

Drew Barrymore is not the only child star to grow up into a successful actress, and NBC News has documented the starts of more than one famous career.  Thanks to the dedication NBC has in preserving their archival footage, the NBCUniversal Archives is able to make older footage of then-child stars available for licensing.