Date of Birth: April 28, 1878
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Date of Death: November 15, 1954
Biography
Lionel Barrymore, born Lionel Herbert Blythe on April 28, 1878, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a prominent American actor of stage, screen, and radio. He was a member of the legendary Barrymore family of actors, which included his siblings Ethel and John Barrymore. Lionel began his career on the stage in the late 19th century and transitioned to silent films in the early 20th century. Barrymore’s extensive career spanned over five decades, during which he appeared in numerous films, including notable roles in “A Free Soul” (1931), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, and “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), where he played the iconic antagonist Mr. Potter. He was also a successful director, with credits including “Madame X” (1929) and “The Rogue Song” (1930). Despite suffering from severe arthritis later in life, which confined him to a wheelchair, Barrymore continued to act and remained a significant figure in Hollywood until his death. His contributions to the film industry have left a lasting legacy.
5 Interesting Facts about Lionel Barrymore
1. Lionel Barrymore won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in “A Free Soul” (1931).
2. He was originally trained as a painter and attended the Art Students League of New York.
3. Barrymore was part of the first family of American theater, with his siblings Ethel and John also achieving significant fame.
4. Despite his arthritis, Barrymore continued acting and adapted many of his roles to accommodate his condition.
5. He was a prolific radio performer, famously portraying Ebenezer Scrooge annually on the radio broadcast of “A Christmas Carol.”
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lionel Barrymore
1. “Half the people in Hollywood are dying to be discovered and the other half are afraid they will be.”
2. “I can remember when nobody believed an actor and didn’t care what he believed.”
3. “I don’t think I can do better than ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’”
4. “I have a great responsibility for the future of our profession.”
5. “Acting is a business of make-believe. I do my best to keep it at that.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Lionel Barrymore’s net worth was estimated to be around $3 million, a substantial amount for his time.
Children
Lionel Barrymore had two daughters, Ethel Barrymore II (1908–1910) and Mary Barrymore (1916–1917), both of whom tragically died in infancy.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia: Lionel Barrymore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Barrymore
2. [IMDb: Lionel Barrymore](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000859/
3. [Academy Awards: Lionel Barrymore](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1931
4. [Biography: Lionel Barrymore](https://www.biography.com/actor/lionel-barrymore
