Lionel Barrymore is a famous American actor, director and screenwriter. His creative activity is familiar to many true connoisseurs of the classics of cinema.
Biography
Lionel Barrymore is a famous American actor and film director, a representative of the Barrymore clan. Broadway actor Maurice Barrymore is his father, Ethel Barrymore is his sister, John Barrymore is his younger brother, Diana Barrymore is his niece, Drew Barrymore is his grandniece. Barrymore was born in the United States of America, in the state of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia on April 28, 1878. Lionel's father was the once popular actor Maurice Barrymore, who at one time performed on the stage of Broadway. The death of Lionel's father is still shrouded in a veil of takna, in 1905, unknown persons shot him, the police investigation did not lead to anything.
In addition to Lionel, the family had two more children - sister Ethel and brother John. At one time, the future actor studied at a Roman Catholic school, secretly dreaming about art and everything that was associated with it. Young Lionel was convinced that someday he would be able to become a real professional and conquer the whole world. In the end, this is what happened.
Career
First successes
At the very beginning of his own acting career - approximately in the mid-nineties of the nineteenth century - a completely inexperienced actor prepared performances for his inner circle, under the strict guidance of his grandmother. Then he was still too small, but already daring. At the beginning of the next century, Lionel Barrymore already took an active part in a variety of performances (vaudeville and revue). Until 1907, Lionel Barrymore performed in Parisian revues and vaudeville. His talented performance did not go unnoticed. Soon, the capable actor was invited to Broadway. For the next seventeen years, Lionel played superbly on the Broadway stage - with great success.
Conquering Hollywood
In 1924, Barrymore went to Hollywood to conquer the heights of the film industry. Especially the theatrical actor was attracted by the direction. In Hollywood, Lionel quickly achieved recognition. Six years later, Barrymore was named one of the best directors in Hollywood, and in 1931 he won an extremely prestigious Oscar (for best performance), a year before that Barrymore was nominated for an Oscar as best director for a film "Madame X". In 1933, Lionel was given the honor of leading the Oscar ceremony, which honored the most worthy.
Barrymore has starred in a wide range of films, including The Grand Hotel, It's a Wonderful Life, Duel in the Sun and others. On the set, the actor collaborated with such great actors as Greta Garbo, Spencer Tracy, Jim Stewart. The actor was respected and appreciated for his acting talent. For his invaluable contribution to American and world cinema, Lionel Barimore was awarded his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Personal life
Barrymore was twice married to actresses Doris Rankin and Irene Fenwick, the latter, by the way, was the mistress of his younger brother John. From Doris Rankin, Barrymore had two daughters - Ethel Barrymore II (1908-1910) and Mary Barrymore (1916-1917). Unfortunately, both babies died in infancy. Barrymore never recovered from the deaths of his girls, and their loss undoubtedly took a toll on his marriage to Doris Rankin. In 1923, their marriage officially fell apart.
Years later, as a director, Barrymore became very attached to the young and talented Jean Harlow, who was born around the same years as his daughter. According to Lionel himself, he always saw in Jean not only a talented actress, but also his beloved daughter. Subsequently, Jean Harlow became a Hollywood superstar and a real US sex symbol of the 30s.
Beginning in 1938, Barrymore was confined to a wheelchair after breaking his hip twice and possibly as a result of arthritis. Nevertheless, the actor continued to actively act in films. Lionel Barrymore passed away in the fall of 1954. He died of a heart attack and was buried in Los Angeles.
Selected filmography
1913 - Lady and the Mouse
1923 - The Eternal City - Baron Bonelli
1926 - The Temptress / The Temptress
1926 - The Barrier - Stark Bennett
1928 - Sadie Thompson / Sadie Thompson - Mr. Alfred Davidson
1929 - The Mysterious Island - Count Andre Dakkar
1931 - Mata Hari / Mata Hari - General Serge Shubin
1932 - Grand Hotel / Otto Kringelain
1932 - Rasputin and the Empress - Grigory Rasputin
1933 - Dinner at Eight - Oliver Jordan
1933 - Looking Forward - Tim Benton
1934 - The Girl from Missouri - Thomas Randall "T. R." Page
1934 - Treasure Island - Billy Bones
1935 - Mark of the Vampire - professor
1935 - David Copperfield - Dan Peggotty
1936 - Lady with Camellias / Camille - father of Armand
1936 - The Devil-Doll - Paul Lavond
1937 - Captains Courageous - Captain Disco Corpse
1938 - You Can't Take It With You - Grandpa Martin Vanderhof
1944 - Since You Went Away - Priest
1946 - It's a Wonderful Life - Henry F. Potter
1946 - Duel in the Sun - Senator Jackson McKenles
1948 - Key Largo / Key Largo - James Temple
1949 - Malaya / Malaya - John Manchester
