John Barrymore

Explore the dramatic life of John Barrymore — one of America’s most celebrated stage and screen actors, whose rise and downfall became legendary. Discover his biography, career highlights, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

John Barrymore (February 15, 1882 – May 29, 1942) was an American actor of stage, film, and radio whose immense talent, charisma, and theatrical legacy made him one of the most famous and tragic figures of early 20th-century acting. Often called “The Great Profile,” Barrymore combined classical pedigree, commanding presence, and a deeply human vulnerability. His soaring success, personal demons, and melancholic decline turned him into a mythic character of Hollywood lore.

Early Life and Family

John Sidney Blyth (later known as John Barrymore) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1882, though sources differ on whether his birth date was February 14 or February 15.

He came from a storied theatrical lineage: his father, Maurice Barrymore (born Herbert Blyth), and mother, Georgie Drew Barrymore, were stage actors.

He was the youngest of three siblings; his older sister and brother, Ethel Barrymore and Lionel Barrymore, also became celebrated actors.

His childhood was marked by turbulence: his parents’ troubled marriage, drinking problems, and frequent separations often forced John into boarding schools and a somewhat unstable upbringing.

At one point he attempted a career in art and illustration—he worked as an illustrator for the New York Evening Journal—but the lure of the stage and family tradition drew him toward acting.

Youth, Education & Entry into Acting

Although John lacked formal theatrical training in his early years, his family connections and theatrical environment provided a living school. After his brief stint as an illustrator, his father encouraged him to join a production in 1901 of A Man of the World.

His first serious engagements began in 1903, when he appeared in a touring company, in Chicago, performing a minor role in Magda.

Over time he shifted toward more serious dramatic roles, gradually building a reputation for versatility and eloquence on stage.

Career and Achievements

Stage Triumphs & Shakespearean Stardom

Barrymore’s theatrical career eventually led him to major dramatic parts. He made a name for himself in productions such as Justice (1916) and later in Shakespeare plays—his portrayals of Richard III (1920) and Hamlet (1922) earned special acclaim.

His Hamlet performance was especially celebrated and contributed to his being regarded (in his era) as one of America’s finest tragedians.

In 1925, he staged Hamlet in London at the Haymarket Theatre, earning praise and increasing his international stature.

At the peak of his stage career, he was often spoken of as the leading American actor of his generation.

Transition to Film & the Silent Era

Barrymore first appeared in films as early as 1913/1914, but his major cinematic breakthrough came in the silent era. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920), Sherlock Holmes (1922), and The Sea Beast (1926).

He became known for his striking profile in photographs and posters—earning the nickname “The Great Profile.”

Sound Film Success

When talkies arrived, Barrymore’s stage-trained voice and theatrical skills gave him a strong advantage.

Some of his best-known sound films include Grand Hotel (1932), Dinner at Eight (1933), Twentieth Century (1934), and Midnight (1939).

His film roles ranged from romantic leads to dramatic and even comedic turns.

Radio & Later Work

Besides stage and film, Barrymore also worked in radio. One notable role was his participation in The Sealtest Show, where he recorded dozens of episodes.

By the late 1930s and early 1940s, his professional life became a mix of performances, cameos, self-parody, and diminished roles, largely influenced by personal struggles.

Personal Life, Struggles & Decline

John Barrymore’s personal life was deeply intertwined with his rise and downfall. He is widely documented to have struggled with alcoholism from a relatively early age.

He married four times, though none of the marriages lasted. His relationships and romantic affairs were often public and controversial.

As his drinking worsened, his reliability declined. Studios became wary of hiring him, and his on-screen performances in later years sometimes involved playing versions of himself as a faded star.

In 1942, while rehearsing for a radio production of Romeo and Juliet, Barrymore collapsed. He was hospitalized and died there on May 29 from complications including liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, and pneumonia.

There are longstanding anecdotes and legends about Barrymore after death: one rumor is that actors Errol Flynn and W.C. Fields “borrowed” his corpse and propped it in a chair as a prank. His granddaughter Drew Barrymore later recounted that the story may have truth to it.

He was originally buried at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles but later reinterred in Philadelphia’s Mount Vernon Cemetery in the Barrymore family plot.

Legacy and Influence

John Barrymore is remembered as one of the most charismatic, versatile, and spoken-of actors of his era. His career bridged stage and film, silent and sound, dramatic and comedic roles.

His theatrical presence and classical grounding influenced many actors who came after him. Some historians regard him, in his prime, as “perhaps the most influential and idolized actor of his day.”

Though his later years are often colored by tragedy, his early successes, high artistry, and magnetic persona cemented his place in the pantheon of American acting.

He remains part of the storied Barrymore acting dynasty—his siblings, children, and descendants (including Drew Barrymore) carry forward the family’s theatrical legacy.

Famous Quotes of John Barrymore

Here are some quotes attributed to John Barrymore that reflect his wit, self-awareness, and tendency toward humor in darkness:

• “You can’t drown yourself in drink. I’ve tried, you float.”

• “Love is the delightful interval between meeting a beautiful girl and discovering that she looks like a haddock.”

• “My wife is the kind of girl who will not go anywhere without her mother, and her mother will go anywhere.”

• “Don’t worry. For a man who has been dead for fifteen years I am in remarkable health.”

These quotations capture his self-deprecating humor, wry observations, and flair for theatrical irony.

Lessons from John Barrymore

1. Talent alone is not destiny. Barrymore’s immense gifts proved insufficient to shield him from personal demons and decline.

2. The dual life of public brilliance and private struggle. Many great artists carry inner turmoil even while displaying outward mastery.

3. Versatility matters. Barrymore successfully navigated stage, silent film, and sound film—reinventing himself across changing mediums.

4. Legacy is often mixed. His brilliance is remembered alongside cautionary tales of excess, reminding us of the precarious balance between genius and self-destruction.

5. Family and tradition can be both blessing and burden. Born into theatrical royalty, he benefitted from family name and connections—but also bore immense expectations.

Conclusion

John Barrymore’s life is a powerful drama in itself: the scion of a theatrical dynasty whose talents soared, whose flaws unraveled him, and whose memory endures in legend. His performances, from Shakespeare to Hollywood silver screen, left lasting footprints in the history of performance art. His persona—magnetic yet tragic—reminds us that the greatest stars sometimes cast the longest shadows.