Maurice Barrymore

Maurice Barrymore was a prominent British-born stage actor during the late 19th century.

Born Herbert Arthur Chamberlayne Blyth on September 21, 1849, in Amritsar, India, he eventually became the patriarch of a legendary acting dynasty. He was the father of three successful actors: John, Lionel, and Ethel Barrymore. While he began his life in India, his career and legacy were deeply rooted in the American theater. His life was defined by a transition from a scholar and athlete to a celebrated performer.

Before entering the theater, Barrymore was a highly accomplished athlete. He attended Harrow School in England and later studied law at Oxford University. While at Oxford in 1868, he served as the captain of the class football team. He also developed a passion for boxing during a time when bare-knuckle fights were still common. On March 21, 1872, he achieved significant success by winning the middleweight boxing championship of England. His athletic connections included famous sports figures like John L. Sullivan and James J. Corbett.

Barrymore's choice of a stage name was a strategic decision to manage his family's reputation. His father, a surveyor for the British East India Company, expected him to become a barrister. Because acting was considered a "dissolute" or scandalous profession at the time, Herbert adopted a pseudonym. He chose the name Maurice Barrymore after seeing a poster for the 18th-century English actor William Barrymore. He also desired his first name to be pronounced with a French inflection. Although some sources suggest he legally changed his name, others believe he simply used the name professionally.

In 1874, Barrymore emigrated to the United States aboard the SS America. He joined Augustin Daly's acting troupe and made his professional debut in the play *Under the Gaslight*. By December 1875, he made his Broadway debut in the production *Pique*. During this period, he met Georgiana Drew, an actress who would become his wife. They married on December 31, 1876. Together, they had three children: Lionel, Ethel, and John.

Barrymore also maintained a personal interest in nature, owning a farm on Staten Island to house exotic animals.

Barrymore's life included several dramatic and sometimes violent episodes. In March 1879, while in Marshall, Texas, he was involved in a shooting incident. After a dispute involving a gunfighter named Jim Currie, Barrymore was shot in the chest. Despite the severity of the injury, doctors were able to save his life. Years later, in 1884, he wrote a play titled *Nadjezda*, which means "hope." He later became involved in a legal dispute regarding his play, claiming that the famous play *La Tosca* plagiarized his work. However, the courts did not find evidence of theft, noting that the plot devices used were common in theater.

As a performer, Barrymore was known for his versatility and bravery. In 1896, he became the first major Broadway star to headline in vaudeville.

He shared the stage with many of the most famous actresses of the era, including Helena Modjeska and Mrs. Fiske. One of his final major successes was playing Rawdon Crawley in the production *Becky Sharp* in 1899. He continued to tour the country, even performing with child actress Blanche Sweet in the play *The Battle of the Strong*.

In his final years, Barrymore faced significant health challenges. In March 1901, he suffered a sudden mental breakdown during a performance in New York. This erratic behavior led to his commitment to Bellevue Hospital. He was diagnosed with the effects of syphilis, an incurable disease at that time. His daughter, Ethel, used her own success as an actress to help pay for his medical care and institutionalization. Barrymore died in his sleep on March 25, 1905, in Amityville, New York. He was eventually buried in Philadelphia, near his first wife and her family.