Lionel Barrymore Birth Date and Age
Lionel Barrymore was born on April 28, 1878, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was born Lionel Herbert Blyth, the eldest son of actors Georgiana Drew Barrymore and Maurice Barrymore. His birth date places him among the earliest generation of Hollywood stars who transitioned from stage to film. His family, the Barrymore acting dynasty, remains one of the most prominent in American entertainment history, a lineage well documented by sources like Biography.com.
As of the latest public records, Lionel Barrymore would have turned 146 years old in 2024 if he were alive. His birth year of 1878 situates his early life in the Gilded Age, long before the advent of sound films. He died on November 15, 1954, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 76. His final resting place is at the Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Career Milestones and Major Roles
Lionel Barrymore began his career on the stage, performing with his family in theatrical productions across the United States. He made his film debut in the silent era and became one of the first major stars to successfully adapt to talking pictures. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the 1931 film "A Free Soul," cementing his status as a leading man of early Hollywood.
He is perhaps best known for playing the authoritarian Mr. Potter in the 1946 classic "It's a Wonderful Life." His filmography includes over 200 films, with notable appearances in "Grand Hotel," "Dinner at Eight," and "Key Largo." He also achieved significant recognition as a radio performer, starring in his own series, "The Lionel Barrymore Show," during the 1930s and 1940s. His career trajectory is often studied in film history resources like those found on IMDb.
Personal Life and Legacy
Lionel Barrymore was married twice, first to Doris Rankin and later to Irene Fenwick. He had no children from either marriage. His health declined significantly in the 1930s due to a severe bout of arthritis, which eventually left him crippled and in constant pain. This physical challenge led him to transition from romantic lead roles to more mature, often villainous character parts.
His legacy endures as a versatile character actor and a patriarch of the Barrymore acting family, which includes his siblings Ethel and John Barrymore, and later generations like Drew Barrymore. He was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame with a star located at 1724 Vine Street. His influence on American acting is further chronicled by institutions such as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Turner Classic Movies archives.