| Lionel Barrymore Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft |
| Weight | 84 kg |
| Date of Birth | April 28, 1878 |
| Died | November 15, 1954 |
| Eye Color | Blue |
Lionel Barrymore was an American actor who widely appeared on stage, screen, and radio and was also a film director. One of his most-recognized appearances was for his performance in A Free Soul (1931) for which he won an Academy Award for “Best Actor”. On the other hand, Lionel was also known for portraying the villainous Mr. Potter in It’s a Wonderful Life.
Born Name
Lionel Herbert Blythe
Nick Name
Lionel
Age
Lionel Barrymore was born on April 28, 1878.
Died
Lionel Barrymore died on November 15, 1954, at the age of 76 in Los Angeles, California, United States, due to a heart attack.
Sun Sign
Taurus
Born Place
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Nationality
Education
Growing up, Lionel studied at various private schools including the Art Students League of New York. He also attended Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia.
In 1891, Lionel graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory School.
Occupation
Actor
Family
- Father – Herbert Arthur Chamberlayne Blythe (Stage Actor) (1849–1905)
- Mother – Georgiana Emma Drew (Stage Actress, Comedian)
- Siblings – Ethel Barrymore (Younger Sister) (Actress) (b. 1878 – d.1954), John Barrymore (Younger Brother) (Actor) (b. 1882 – d. 1942)
- Others – John Drew Barrymore (Nephew) (Actor), Diana Barrymore (Neice) (Film and Stage Actress), Drew Barrymore (Great-Neice) (Actress, Producer, Talkshow Host)
Net Worth
Lionel Barrymore’s net worth was ‘$30,000,000’ according to ‘Celebrity Net Worth’.
Build
Average
Height
6 ft or 183 cm
Weight
84 kg or 185 lbs
Girlfriend / Spouse
Lionel was married to –
- Doris Rankin (1904-1922) – Stage and film actress Doris Rankin and Lionel tied the knot in 1904. They bore two children together girls named Ethel Barrymore II and Mary Barrymore. However, sadly they did not survive infancy. After their death, Lionel never fully recovered from the emotional trauma which eventually strained Doris and Lionel’s relationship which eventually ended in 1922.
- Irene Fenwick (1923-1936) – American stage and silent film actress Irene Fenwick and Lionel were married from 1923 until her death in 1936.
Race / Ethnicity
White
Lionel is of English and Irish descent.
Hair Color
Blonde
Eye Color
Blue
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
His towering physical appearance
Lionel Barrymore Facts
- He was raised a Roman Catholic.
- His father Herbert Arthur Chamberlayne Blythe aka “Maurice Barrymore” was born in Amritsar, Punjab, India. Whereas, his mother Georgiana Emma Drew was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Lionel developed a fatherly love for stage and film actress Jean Harlow who was born around the same time as his daughters.
- One of his earliest acting appearances was alongside his grandmother Louisa Lane Drew on tour and in a stage production of The Rivals. He was 15 years old at the time.
- In 1909, Lionel signed with Biograph Studios. After this, Lionel was cast in various lead roles including The Battle (1911), The New York Hat (1912), Friends, and Three Friends (1913).
- Lionel was a Republican. He was also part of the 1944 rally that was organized by David O. Selznick in the Los Angeles Coliseum which was to support Dewey-Bricker’s ticket as well as Governor Earl Warren of California.
- Despite his age and disability, he enlisted in the draft during World War II.
- Lionel suffered from a severe case of arthritis which confined him to a wheelchair.
- Aside from acting, Lionel was also a music composer. His work included anything from solo piano pieces to large-scale orchestral works.
- Lionel was a member of the Society of American Etchers as he was a skilled graphic artist.
- In 1953, Lionel published a historical novel titled Mr. Cantonwine: A Moral Tale.
- He had owned a ranch at Chatsworth where he grew roses.
- On November 15, 1954, Lionel passed away due to a heart attack in the Van Nuys neighborhood of Los Angeles. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in East Los Angeles.
- He was given two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 – a motion picture star located at 1724 Vine Street and a radio star located at 1651 Vine Street.
- Lionel and his siblings Ethol and John were inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in the past.
Featured Image By Wikimedia / Public Domain
