Drew Barrymore’s Ex: From 90s Heartthrob to Real-Life Hero
A familiar face from the 90s, known for his role on Beverly Hills, 90210, has traded the glitz and glamour of Hollywood for a life of service. Jamie Walters, now 56, is making a difference as a firefighter-paramedic in Los Angeles County.
Walters first gained recognition in the early 90s, playing Ray Pruit, Donna Martin’s troubled boyfriend on the iconic teen drama. Before 90210, he charmed audiences with his musical talents in the series The Heights. But it was his engagement to Hollywood icon Drew Barrymore for two years that truly captured the public’s attention.
From Singing Sensation to First Responder
Walters wasn’t just an actor; he was a musician too. He sang the theme song for The Heights, “How Do You Talk to an Angel,” which soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite his success, Walters ultimately chose a different path.
For the past 21 years, he’s dedicated his life to serving the city of Los Angeles as a firefighter-paramedic. “I was an actor on Beverly Hills, 90210, some other series, The Heights, had a song called How Do You Talk To An Angel, and [I am] currently [a] firefighter paramedic with the Los Angeles Fire Department. Been with this organization for 20 years,” he shared with The Sun last year.
Reflecting on His Hollywood Past
Walters fondly remembers his time on 90210, praising his co-stars and the overall experience. “I had a great time working on 90210, great cast mates, really fun time in my life in my 20s, being in Hollywood, having a fantastic adventure, and it actually led me to the fire department, where I’ve been for 20 years,” he explained.
He even revisited his role in 2019’s BH90210, a comedy series where the cast played heightened versions of themselves. While he was initially “bummed” about his character’s storyline involving domestic violence, he acknowledged the importance of raising awareness about the issue. “I was like, ‘Ah man, I don’t think this is going to work out so good,’” he recalled. “And it didn’t. I was bummed, I didn’t want to see Ray turn that way, but I think they were trying to bring up some important messages about domestic violence and get people talking about that.”
A Lasting Connection with Drew Barrymore
Despite their split, Walters clearly holds Drew Barrymore in high regard. “We ended up living together and were engaged for a little while. That was a fun time in my life. She was great, we had a great relationship together,” he said.
Barrymore herself has spoken fondly of Walters, recalling their relationship on her talk show in 2023. “Oh my god, Jamie Walters! My boyfriend at the time,” she exclaimed. “I totally dated Jamie Walters. I was engaged to him.” Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth, his former 90210 co-stars, also shared their positive memories of him.
Jamie Walters’ story is a testament to the fact that success can be defined in many ways. He traded the spotlight for a life of purpose, proving that true heroism comes in many forms.
