Ethel Barrymore is an American theater and film actress. She performed on Broadway, and began her career in Hollywood only in the 1940s, although she first appeared on the silver screen in 1914. Oscar winner for her supporting role. Ethel received this award in 1945. In 2007, a gold statuette that once belonged to the artist was sold at auction.
The talented Ethel Barrymore during her creative career managed to appear in many performances, she starred in 42 films. For her contribution to the development of American cinema, the artist received her personalized star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Biography facts
The future famous artist was born in 1879. Her birthday: August 15. Ethel Mae Blythe - this is the real full name of the actress - was the middle child in the family. She had 2 brothers - John and Lionel, who also chose acting paths in life. Together with her brothers, Ethel appeared in the film Rasputin and the Empress, which was released in 1932.
Ethel was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Her childhood and teenage years passed here. Ethel's parents were very devout, religious people. Therefore, the girl attended a Catholic school.
The father of the family was named Maurice Barrymore. He was an emigrant from the UK. He graduated from Cambridge in the field of jurisprudence. However, he refused to associate his life with the profession of a lawyer (attorney). After moving to the states, Maurice became seriously interested in art and creativity, eventually becoming a professional actor.
Ethel's mother is Georgiana Drew. She was born in Philadelphia and came from a family of artists. From a young age she performed in a theater troupe led by her father and mother.
Ethel, together with her brothers since childhood, was interested in drama, art, and the stage. She was attracted by the theater. Their parents, being actors, encouraged the children's interest in theater and cinema. Ethel's older brother Lionel, already in his teens, began performing in the troupe where Georgiana Drew worked.
The girl, despite her natural acting talent, was fascinated by music for a long time. She dreamed of becoming a famous pianist. However, having received basic education at school, the girl abandoned such a dream and completely switched to the acting profession.
From her youth, the future star of Broadway and Hollywood was fond of sports. However, she was not involved in sports sections, but was an avid cheerleader. She was especially attracted to boxing and baseball. Ethel has repeatedly attended competitions, baseball games, boxing fights.
The debut of a young and outwardly very attractive artist took place at the theater in 1894. A year later, the girl already performed successfully on the Broadway stage. Among the most successful performances with her participation it is worth noting: "Rosemary" (1896), "Bells" (1897), "Peter the Great" (1898), "Doll House" (1905), "Alice by the Fire" (1905), " Declassee "(1919)," Romeo and Juliet "(1922)," Constant wife "(1926).
The artist got into the cinema in the early 1910s. For several years she has taken part in the filming of a number of films, some of which have become very successful. However, Ethel Barrymore began to fully develop her film career in Hollywood only in the 1940s, when she moved to Southern California.
Film career development
The first film in which Ethel Barrymore got one of the roles was "The Nightingale". The premiere took place in 1914. A year later, the artist appeared in the movie "The Final Judgment", playing the role of Mrs. Murray Camppell.
Until 1920, the gifted actress starred in 12 full-length films, while continuing to develop her career on Broadway. The actress can be seen, for example, in such films as "The Awakening of Helena Ritchie" (1916), "The Call of Her People" (1917), "The Lifted Veil" (1917), "Life's Whirlpool" (1917), Our Mrs. McChesney (1918), The Divorcee (1919).
Before moving to California, Ethel managed to replenish her filmography with roles in the films The Lady with the Cameos (released in 1926) and Rasputin and the Empress (1932).
Ethel Barrymore's career in Hollywood was developing in the best possible way. She was a sought-after actress who was invited to work in both feature films and television series. The first television series for Barrymore was the NBC Television Opera House. The pilot episode was released in 1949, while the show lasted until the end of 1964.
Until the early 1950s, the actress appeared in such sensational films as "Only a Lonely Heart", "Spiral Staircase", "The Farmer's Daughter", "Paradine's Case", "Portrait of Jenny", "The Great Sinner", "Midnight Kiss", Pinky. For the brilliant acting in the film "Only a Lonely Heart", the artist became the laureate of the 17th Oscar, the event took place on March 15, 1945.
In the further career of the actress, the most successful films were: "Crime streak in the US press", "Three love stories", "This is a young heart." Among the television projects with Barrymore's participation it is worth noting: "Collection", "General Electric Theater", "Climax".
In 1955, Ethel Barrymore appeared in the television movie "Svengali and the Blonde" as the storyteller. The last film work of the famous actress was the film "Johnny Trouble", which was released in 1957.
Personal life and death of the artist
The politician Winston Churchill, inflamed with love for the charming actress, proposed that Ethel marry him in 1900. However, the girl refused.
In the spring of 1909, Ethel got married to a stockbroker named Russell Griswold Colt. In this union, 3 children were born. In 1909, the first child was born - a son named Samuel. In 1912, a girl was born, who was named after her mother - Ethel. In the future, she became an actress and singer. And a year later, Ethel and Russell became parents for the third time, they had another son - John Drew.
The husband and wife lived together until the early 1920s. However, in 1923 they filed for divorce. After that, the artist never married again.
In 1955, a book was published - “Memories. Autobiography , written by Barrymore herself.
In old age, the actress was diagnosed with serious problems with the heart and blood vessels. In mid-June 1959, Ethel Barrymore passed away in Los Angeles. The actress was buried at the Golgotha cemetery next to her brothers, who had died before her.
It is known that Ethel has one grandson named John Drew Miglietta, who was born in 1946. In addition, the actress was a great-aunt for Drew Barrymore.
