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Ethel Barrymore

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Ethel Barrymore was a legendary American actress.

Ethel Barrymore, three-quarter length portrait, seated, facing front
Ethel Barrymore, three-quarter length portrait, seated, facing front

Her career spanned six decades of professional work. She was highly respected in her field. Many people called her "The First Lady of the American Theatre." She performed in many different ways. She acted on the stage, in movies, and on the radio.

Ethel Barrymore LOC
Ethel Barrymore LOC

She was also a member of the famous Barrymore family of actors. Her brothers were John and Lionel Barrymore. Her niece was the actress Drew Barrymore. This family had a long history in the performing arts.

Barrymore was born Ethel Mae Blyth on August 15, 1879.

EthelBarrymore1896
EthelBarrymore1896

She was born in Philadelphia. Her parents were the actors Maurice Barrymore and Georgiana Drew. Her family lived in the United States and England. In 1884, the family moved to England for two years. Her father performed at London's Haymarket Theatre. In 1886, the family returned to the United States. Her father took her to her first baseball game then. This event started her lifelong love of the sport.

Her childhood changed significantly in 1893.

Georgie Drew Barrymore with Ethel, Lionel, and Jack Barrymore
Georgie Drew Barrymore with Ethel, Lionel, and Jack Barrymore

Her mother, Georgiana, died in July of that year. Georgiana was 36 years old. This loss meant that Ethel and Lionel had to start working. They both began working in their teenage years. Neither of them finished high school. Ethel made her first Broadway appearance in 1895. She appeared in a play called *The Imprudent Young Couple*. She also traveled to London to perform in several different roles.

Success came to her through many different roles.

Ethel Barrymore, three-quarter length portrait, seated, facing front
Ethel Barrymore, three-quarter length portrait, seated, facing front

In 1901, she played Madame Trentoni in *Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines*. This performance took place at the Garrick Theatre in London. Her father, Maurice, saw this performance in person. He gave her a hug after the show. This was the only time he saw her work professionally. After this, she became a major star. She even out-drew famous actresses like Minnie Maddern Fiske. She became known for her catchphrase: "That's all there is, there isn't any more!"

Barrymore was also an important leader for her fellow actors.

TIMEMagazine10Nov1924
TIMEMagazine10Nov1924

She supported the Actors' Equity Association, or AEA. This group helps performers have a larger share of profits. It also provides help for elderly or sick actors. Ethel helped during a major strike in 1919. She and Lionel performed in a benefit show to support the cause. This involvement made some producers angry. It even ended her friendship with the producer George M. Cohan. Her support was driven by the difficult lives of her parents.

Her work expanded into film and television later in life.

The Shadows Metro Pictures 1915
The Shadows Metro Pictures 1915

She made 15 silent films between 1914 and 1919. In 1944, she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This was for her role in *None but the Lonely Heart*.

Ethel Barrymore
Ethel Barrymore

She was also nominated for awards for *The Paradine Case* and *Pinky*. She appeared on radio programs like *Miss Hattie*. She also appeared on television shows like *What's My Line?*. Her many talents allowed her to work across many different media platforms.

Ethel Barrymore had many personal interests outside of acting.

EthelBarrymoreCarrots
EthelBarrymoreCarrots

She was a dedicated fan of baseball and boxing. Her interest in boxing changed after a fight in 1919. She saw the Dempsey and Willard fight. It was a very brutal match. After seeing this, she vowed not to attend boxing matches in person. However, she still watched boxing on television later. She was married to Russell Griswold Colt.

Ethel Barrymore family 1914
Ethel Barrymore family 1914

They had three children together. Her legacy lives on through the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York.

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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:Georgie Drew Barrymore with Ethel, Lionel, and Jack Barrymore.jpg
Georgie Drew Barrymore with Ethel,...
File:EthelBarrymore1896.jpg
EthelBarrymore1896.jpg
File:Ethel Barrymore, three-quarter length portrait, seated, facing front.jpg
Ethel Barrymore, three-quarter length...
File:EthelBarrymoreCarrots.jpg
EthelBarrymoreCarrots.jpg
File:TIMEMagazine10Nov1924.jpg
TIMEMagazine10Nov1924.jpg
File:Ethel Barrymore LOC.jpg
Ethel Barrymore LOC.jpg
File:The Shadows Metro Pictures 1915.jpg
The Shadows Metro Pictures 1915.jpg
File:Ethel Barrymore family 1914.jpg
Ethel Barrymore family 1914.jpg
File:Ethel Barrymore.jpg
Ethel Barrymore.jpg
File:Ethel Barrymore Grave.JPG
Ethel Barrymore Grave.JPG
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