Drew Barrymore & Tom Green: The 163-Day Marriage That Survived a House Fire and Cancer
Married for 163 days after surviving a house fire and cancer — they filed for divorce before their first anniversary
Key Facts
What Happened
Drew Barrymore and Tom Green's relationship was a whirlwind from the start. Barrymore, who had been a fan of Green's outrageous MTV show, arranged for him to appear in Charlie's Angels, which she was producing. They began dating in 1999 and became engaged in July 2000. During their engagement, they endured two traumatic events: Green was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and their home was destroyed in a fire that Barrymore's dog knocked over a candle to start.
Despite these challenges, the couple married on July 7, 2001. The marriage lasted exactly 163 days. Green filed for divorce on December 17, 2001, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in October 2002. The brevity of the marriage stunned fans, though those close to the couple said the warning signs had been there from the beginning — they were fundamentally different personalities who had bonded over crisis rather than compatibility.
The divorce itself was remarkably simple. Neither party sought spousal support, and there were no children to complicate proceedings. Barrymore was already independently wealthy from her acting career and production company, Flower Films, while Green had his own entertainment income. The lack of financial complexity meant the divorce was processed quickly and without public acrimony.
Barrymore later reflected on the marriage with characteristic self-awareness, saying 'We were young and kind of idiots. I didn't know how to manage myself.' The couple did not see or speak to each other for nearly 20 years until Green appeared on Barrymore's talk show in 2021, where they shared an emotional reunion. The case illustrates how trauma can accelerate relationship timelines, leading to marriages that might not have happened under calmer circumstances.
Legal Breakdown: Ultra-Short Marriage and Annulment Alternatives
Short Marriage Doctrine
In California and many other states, marriages lasting less than a year are treated differently in divorce proceedings. Courts are less likely to award spousal support for very short marriages, and property division typically involves returning each party to their pre-marriage financial position rather than splitting assets accumulated during the brief union.
Annulment vs. Divorce for Short Marriages
Couples in very short marriages sometimes consider annulment rather than divorce. An annulment legally declares the marriage never existed, while a divorce ends a valid marriage. Annulment requires specific grounds (fraud, incapacity, duress), while divorce only requires irreconcilable differences. Barrymore and Green chose divorce, which is simpler when both parties simply want out.
Trauma Bonding and Hasty Marriages
Shared crises — like Green's cancer and their house fire — can create intense emotional bonds that feel like deep love but may not be a solid foundation for marriage. Courts and family law attorneys increasingly recognize that marriages entered during or immediately after crisis events may be more vulnerable to rapid dissolution.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Marriages entered during crisis periods — illness, trauma, grief — are statistically more likely to end quickly once the crisis passes.
- →Ultra-short marriages (under one year) are treated differently by courts, with less likelihood of spousal support and simpler property division.
- →When both parties are independently wealthy and there are no children, divorce can be processed quickly and painlessly.
- →Self-awareness about why a relationship failed is more valuable than bitterness. Barrymore's honest reflection allowed her to eventually reconcile with Green as a friend.
Going Through a Divorce?
Get confidential guidance tailored to your situation — free, private, and available 24/7.
Related Cases
Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale
United States · 2016
A civil divorce was not enough — she needed a Catholic annulment to marry Blake Shelton
Alternative SystemsDennis Rodman & Carmen Electra
United States · 1999
Married drunk in Vegas. Filed for annulment 9 days later. The definition of 'unsound mind.'
Alternative SystemsKenny Chesney & Renée Zellweger
United States · 2005
She cited 'fraud.' He panicked. A four-month marriage that sparked years of speculation.
Alternative SystemsWas this helpful? Help us keep it free.
divorce911.ai is funded entirely by donations. Every dollar keeps the AI assistant and 1,700+ guides free for people in crisis.
Know someone going through a divorce? This could help them.
This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.