John Barrymore
Biography
John Barrymore was an American actor born on February 15, 1882, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began his career in 1903 as a stage actor, initially performing in light comedy and later transitioning to high drama. Barrymore's notable stage performances include productions of Justice, Richard III, and Hamlet. He also had a successful career in film, appearing in various genres during the silent and sound eras. Some of his notable film roles include Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Grand Hotel, Dinner at Eight, Twentieth Century, and Don Juan. Barrymore passed away on May 29, 1942, at the age of 60.
Career overview
John Barrymore began his acting career in 1903. He initially gained attention as a stage actor in light comedy, then transitioned to high drama. His performances in various stage productions led to him being recognized for his work. Barrymore's stage career culminated in notable productions of Justice, Richard III, and Hamlet.
Barrymore's success on stage translated to the screen, where he appeared in a variety of films during the silent and sound eras. He portrayed characters in multiple genres, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Notable films from this period include Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Grand Hotel, Dinner at Eight, Twentieth Century, and Don Juan. Don Juan is notable for being the first film to use a Vitaphone sound track.
Barrymore's film career spanned multiple genres, with a notable range of roles in various productions. His work on stage and screen demonstrated his ability to adapt to different roles and mediums, solidifying his position as a respected actor of his time.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
96 titles- Coded: The Hidden Love of J.C. Leyendecker (2021) as Archival Footage
- Synthwave Horror: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2015) as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Edward Hyde
- Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywood (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- Checking Out: Grand Hotel (2004) as Self / Various roles (archive footage)
- Complicated Women (2003) as Self (archive footage)
- The Casting Couch (1995)
- Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio (1991) as Hamlet (archive sound)
- Going Hollywood: The '30s (1984) as (archive footage)
- The Horror of It All (1983) as Svengali (archive footage)
- The Horror Show (1979) as (archive footage)
- That's Entertainment, Part II (1976) as (archive footage)
- It's Showtime (1976) as Self (archive footage)
- The Horror Hall of Fame: A Monster Salute (1974) as Self (archive footage)
- Hollywood: The Dream Factory (1972) as Self (archive footage)
- Brasileiros em Hollywood (1970) as Self (archive footage)
- The Legend of Rudolph Valentino (1961) as Self (archive footage)
- MGM Parade (1955) as Self
- Yesterday and Today (1953) as (archive footage)
- The Golden Twenties (1950) as Self (archive footage)
- Okay for Sound (1946) as Don Juan (archive footage)
- Screen Snapshots (Series 25, No. 1): 25th Anniversary (1945) as Self (archive footage)
- The Voice That Thrilled the World (1943) as Self (segments 'Don Juan' & 'Richard III') (archive footage)
- Screen Snapshots (Series 22, No. 10) (1942) as Self (archive footage)
- World Premiere (1941) as Duncan DeGrasse
- Playmates (1941) as John Barrymore
- The Invisible Woman (1940) as Professor Gibbs
- The Great Profile (1940) as Evans Garrick
- Land of Liberty (1939) as (archive footage)
- Midnight (1939) as Georges Flammarion
- The Great Man Votes (1939) as Vance
- The Green Goddess (1939)
- Marie Antoinette (1938) as King Louis XV
- Hollywood Goes to Town (1938) as Self
- Spawn of the North (1938) as Windy Turlon
- Bulldog Drummond's Peril (1938) as Colonel Neilson
- Romance in the Dark (1938) as Zoltan Jason
- Hold That Co-ed (1938) as Gabby Harrigan
- Maytime (1937) as Nicolai Nazaroff
- True Confession (1937) as Charles Jasper
- Bulldog Drummond's Revenge (1937) as Col. J.A. Nielson
- Bulldog Drummond Comes Back (1937) as Colonel Neilson
- Night Club Scandal (1937) as Dr. Ernest Tindal
- Movie Maniacs (1936) as Photograph of John Barrymore (uncredited)
- Romeo and Juliet (1936) as Mercutio
- Twentieth Century (1934) as Oscar Jaffe
- Long Lost Father (1934) as Carl Bellairs
- Reunion in Vienna (1933) as Archduke Rudolf von Hapsburg
- Dinner at Eight (1933) as Larry Renault
- Night Flight (1933) as Riviere
- Counsellor at Law (1933) as George Simon
- Topaze (1933) as Auguste A. Topaze
- Hamlet, Act I: Scenes IV and V (1933) as Hamlet
- Grand Hotel (1932) as Baron Felix von Gaigern
- State's Attorney (1932) as Tom Cardigan
- Arsène Lupin (1932) as Duke of Charmerace
- Rasputin and the Empress (1932) as Prince Paul Chegodieff
- A Bill of Divorcement (1932) as Hilary Fairfield
- The Mad Genius (1931) as Vladimar Ivan Tsarakov
- Svengali (1931) as Svengali
- Moby Dick (1930) as Ahab
- The Man from Blankley's (1930) as Lord Strathpeffer
- The Show of Shows (1929) as Richard III in 'Henry VI Part III' (uncredited)
- Eternal Love (1929) as Marcus Paltran
- General Crack (1929) as Duke of Kurland / Prince Christian
- The Circus: Premiere (1928) as Self
- Tempest (1928) as Sergeant Ivan Markov
- Life in Hollywood (1927) as Self
- When a Man Loves (1927) as Chevalier Fabien des Grieux
- The Beloved Rogue (1927) as François Villon
- Life in Hollywood No. 4 (1927)
- The Sea Beast (1926) as Captain Ahab Ceeley
- Don Juan (1926) as Don Jose de Marana / Don Juan de Marana
- Vagabonding On The Pacific (1926) as Himself
- Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925) as Chariot Race Spectator (uncredited)
- Beau Brummel (1924) as Gordon Bryon 'Beau' Brummel
- Sherlock Holmes (1922) as Sherlock Holmes
- The Lotus Eater (1921) as Jacques Leroi
- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Edward Hyde
- Here Comes the Bride (1919) as Frederick Tile
- The Test of Honor (1919) as Martin Wingrave
- On the Quiet (1918) as Robert Ridgeway
- Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman (1917) as A.J. Raffles
- National Red Cross Pageant (1917) as The Tyrant - Russian episode
- Nearly a King (1916) as Jack Merriwell, Prince of Bulwana
- The Red Widow (1916) as Cicero Hannibal Butts
- The Lost Bridegroom (1916) as Bertie Joyce
- The Incorrigible Dukane (1915) as James Dukane
- The Dictator (1915) as Brooke Travers
- Are You a Mason? (1915) as Frank Perry
- The Man from Mexico (1914) as Fitzhugh
- An American Citizen (1914) as Berresford Cruger
- One on Romance (1913) as Jack Wilson (as Jack Barrymore)
- Just Pretending (1912) as The Policeman (as Jack Barrymore)
- The Dream of a Moving Picture Director (1912) as The Movie Villain (as Jack Barrymore)
- A Prize Package (1912) as Si Hawkins (as Jack Barrymore)
- The Widow Casey's Return (1912) as The Rejected Suitor (as Jack Barrymore)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is John Barrymore best known for?
John Barrymore is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including That's Entertainment, Part II (1976), MGM Parade (1955), The Invisible Woman (1940), Grand Hotel (1932).
When and where was John Barrymore born?
John Barrymore was born on February 15, 1882 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. They passed away on May 29, 1942.
How many credits does John Barrymore have?
John Barrymore has accumulated over 96 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1920 to 2021.
What is John Barrymore's background in cinema and television?
John Barrymore was an American actor born on February 15, 1882, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began his career in 1903 as a stage actor, initially performing in light comedy and later transitioning to high drama. Barrymore's notable stage performances include productions of Justice, Richard III, and Hamlet. He also...
John Barrymore by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- MGM Parade (1955) as Self — aged about 73
- That's Entertainment, Part II (1976) as (archive footage) — aged about 94
- Grand Hotel (1932) as Baron Felix von Gaigern — aged about 50
- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Edward Hyde — aged about 38
- A Bill of Divorcement (1932) as Hilary Fairfield — aged about 50
- The Invisible Woman (1940) as Professor Gibbs — aged about 58
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