“Gladiator II ”star Fred Hechinger tells Drew Barrymore she was his 'second crush ever'

Drew Barrymore has conquered Gladiator II star Fred Hechinger's heart.

The actor, 25, made his daytime talk show debut on Tuesday’s episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, where he promptly confessed to the host that she was actually one of his biggest celebrity crushes when he was growing up.

“I don’t know if you know this,” Hechinger told Barrymore, “but you were my second crush ever.”

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The confession appeared to take Barrymore by surprise. “Wait,” she interrupted as the crowd began to cheer. “Who was the first, may I ask?” 

As it turns out, a Disney Channel alum stole Hechinger's heart first. “It was Hilary Duff,” he explained. “Or Lizzie McGuire. Her character of Lizzie McGuire.”

Barrymore approved of his first crush, adding, “Hilary Duff. Lizzie McGuire. I’m in great company.” 

However, Hechinger revealed his whole world changed after watching Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon’s 2005 sports rom-com, Fever Pitch. “I watched Fever Pitch so many times, the DVD — I had to clean it just to keep using it,” he explained. “And I watched all of your rom-coms. I love them so much, so thank you for having me.” 

To say Barrymore was touched by Hechinger's admission was an understatement. “Really?” she asked, before reaching out to Hechinger just before the camera pulled away.

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The pair also bonded over their shared connection to fellow actor Steve Zahn, whom Hechinger worked with on season 1 of The White Lotus and Barrymore starred alongside in the 2001 film Riding in Cars with Boys. “I loved him so much,” Barrymore said of Zahn. “What a wonderful human being he is.”

Hechinger agreed, before revealing that he actually ended up spending his 21st birthday with Zahn due to COVID production protocols that were in place while the pair were filming The White Lotus in Hawaii.

“It was during the pandemic, so we were in this bubble and we couldn’t leave the hotel. And he was like, ‘Let’s have a drink now.’ And I thought he was gonna get me my first drink, but he was like, ‘This is the first time you can buy me a drink, so you’re gonna buy me a drink,’” he recalled. “And then we had a beer at 9 a.m. and then we had a really nice dinner at 6 p.m. together and it was a totally unusual way to spend a 21st birthday, but it was kind of perfect.” 

Barrymore replied, “I think it sounds so lovely."

Gladiator II is in theaters now, while The Drew Barrymore Show airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings.

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