Lionel Barrymore of Famous Theatrical Family
Classic Character Actor was Banker in “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Born April 28, 1878 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Lionel wanted to be a sketch artist, but reluctantly launched an acting career. He began his prestigious stage work in 1893 with his debut at age fifteen.
Louisa Drew was Tutor for Lionel Barrymore
After his mother Georgie’s death in 1893, Maurice left the family to the care of his formidable mother-in-law, Louisa Drew. Lionel stayed with his grandmother’s theatre company where he performed bit parts, and learned the craft for about five years.
After an attempt at establishing an artistic career with his works, he returned to the stage where he could earn regular income. He married actress Doris Rankin in 1904. They lived in Paris, France for several years while Lionel studied music and painting.
Back in the United States, they appeared together on stage and later performed together in a movie. Their marriage lasted until 1923. It is believed that neither fully recovered from the infant deaths of their two daughters. He was married to actress Irene Fenwick from 1924 until her death in 1936.
Biograph Pictures and Director D. W. Griffith
His earliest film work was with Edison’s Biograph Company in 1911. He acted in about ninety films during that period. Some of those were with famed director D. W. Griffith. He had some opportunities there to work at writing and directing which he preferred.
His most celebrated stage role was that of Milt Shanks in “The Copperhead” in 1917. It was said that during most of his life he was able to recite, upon request, the soliloquy that he delivered in that play.
Barrymore did not enjoy working in front of live audiences. In 1924, he left the theatrical stage permanently and went to Hollywood. As other silent screen actors, he was in a long list of films made in short time. With the advent of sound, stage-trained performers were at a premium. Lionel’s wonderful voice recorded well.
Best Actor Academy Award
He worked almost exclusively for MGM with some of the greats of the day including Marie Dressler, Greta Garbo, and Lon Chaney. In “Rasputin and the Empress”, he starred with his siblings Ethel and John.
In 1931, for his performance in the movie “A Free Soul”, Barrymore received the Academy Award for Best Actor. In it, he delivered a fourteen-minute monologue that was filmed in one uninterrupted take.
Character Actor in Classic Hollywood Movies
Some of his more famous movies were “Grand Hotel”, “Dinner at Eight”, and “Down To the Sea in Ships” (1949) in which he played a 'tough old salt' on a whaling ship. He did not like romantic roles, so became one of the greatest character actors of his time.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Lionel played Dr. Gillespie in the Doctor Kildare movie series and the radio program, The Story of Dr. Kildare (1950-1951). He frequently played an old curmudgeon with a kindly heart.
A Christmas Carol Radio Broadcast
On Christmas Eve 1934, a live performance of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” was broadcast on radio starring Lionel Barrymore. With his craggy voice and wonderful talent, he was perfect as Ebenezer Scrooge in the minds of listeners. The classic program was performed every year until 195l.
Lionel had broken a hip in an accident and frequently used a wheelchair. He was permanently confined to the chair when his condition worsened with arthritis. Movie roles were written to accommodate him. By continuing to work, he inadvertently helped other disabled actors receive acceptance. Lionel Barrymore’s autobiography, We Barrymores, was published in 1951.
Today’s audiences know Lionel Barrymore for his wonderful portrayal of Mr. Potter, the miserly banker with the hoarse, rasping voice in “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946). He died November 15, 1954, leaving an amazing legacy of classic films.
Source:
- The Barrymores: Hollywood's First Family by Carol Stein Hoffman and Leonard Maltin, Published by University Press of Kentucky, 2001
- Famous Actor-Families in America by Montrose Jonas Moses, Published by Thomas Y. Crowell and Company, 1906
Lionel Barrymore
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