Lionel Barrymore
Oscar winner · Actor · Writer
76 years (Apr 28, 1878 – Nov 15, 1954)Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Lionel Barrymore was an American actor, patriarch of the celebrated Barrymore dynasty and a central figure of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s. Born in Philadelphia in 1878, he won the Best Actor Oscar for 'A Free Soul' (1931) and appeared in classics such as 'Grand Hotel' (1932). Audiences remember him above all for the villainous Mr. Potter in 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946) and for his portrayals of Doctor Gillespie in the popular Dr. Kildare film series. Afflicted by arthritis, he acted much of his career from a wheelchair without losing his stage authority. His deep voice and imposing presence made him one of the most memorable supporting players of his time. He died in 1954.
Lionel Barrymore
Oscar winner · Actor · Writer
Lionel Barrymore was an American actor, patriarch of the celebrated Barrymore dynasty and a central figure of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s. Born in Philadelphia in 1878, he won the Best Actor Oscar for 'A Free Soul' (1931) and appeared in classics such as 'Grand Hotel' (1932). Audiences remember him above all for the villainous Mr. Potter in 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946) and for his portrayals of Doctor Gillespie in the popular Dr. Kildare film series. Afflicted by arthritis, he acted much of his career from a wheelchair without losing his stage authority. His deep voice and imposing presence made him one of the most memorable supporting players of his time. He died in 1954.
165 Movies
Plays Mr. Potter
It's a Wonderful Life
1946
Plays Monsieur Duval
Camille
1936
Plays Martin Vanderhof
You Can't Take It with You
1938
Plays James Temple
Key Largo
1948
Plays Otto Kringelein
Grand Hotel
1932
Plays Billy Bones
Treasure Island
1934
Plays Sen. Jackson McCanles
Duel in the Sun
1946
Plays General Serge Shubin
Mata Hari
1931
Plays Professor Zelin
Mark of the Vampire
1935
Plays Paul Lavond
The Devil-Doll
1936
Plays Dan Peggotty
David Copperfield
1935
Plays Captain Disko Troop
Captains Courageous
1937
Plays The General
A Guy Named Joe
1944
Plays Colonel Lloyd
The Little Colonel
1935
Plays Clergyman
Since You Went Away
1944
Plays Pat Rafferty
The Valley of Decision
1945
Plays Henry Grayson
Road House
1928
Plays Howard B. Drake
Test Pilot
1938
Plays Dr. Richard Gaunght
Three Wise Fools
1946
Plays Oliver Jordan
Dinner at Eight
1933
Plays Detective Guerchard
Arsène Lupin
1932
Plays Andrew Jackson
Lone Star
1952
Plays Dr. Leonard Gillespie
Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case
1943
Plays Dr. H. Holderlin
Broken Lullaby
1932
Plays Grigori Rasputin
Rasputin and the Empress
1932
Plays Grandpa Clayton
Saratoga
1937
Plays Julian Northrup aka Gramps
On Borrowed Time
1939
Plays Hugo Trimble
Bannerline
1951
Plays Captain 'Skinny' Dawes
Navy Blue and Gold
1937
Plays Leonard Gillespie
Dr. Kildare's Strange Case
1940
Plays Dr. Josiah Glass
Public Hero Number 1
1935
Plays Dr. Rossiger
The Secret Heart
1946
Plays Bob Connelly
Carolina
1934
Plays Andrew Jackson
The Gorgeous Hussy
1936
Plays The Musician's Friend
The Musketeers of Pig Alley
1912
Plays Papa La Roche / Pvt. Morin
The Road to Glory
1936
Plays Dr. Leonard Gillespie
Calling Dr. Kildare
1939
Plays Dr. Leonard Gillespie
The People Vs. Dr. Kildare
1941
Plays Dan Sheridan
A Yank at Oxford
1938
Plays Robineau
Night Flight
1933
Plays Dr. Leonard Gillespie
Dr. Kildare Goes Home
1940
Plays Bedroom Scene
Free and Easy
1930
Plays Bering Joy
Down to the Sea in Ships
1949
Plays Dr. Leonard Gillespie
Calling Dr. Gillespie
1942
Plays Thomas Logan
Let Freedom Ring
1939
Plays Dr. Leonard Gillespie
3 Men in White
1944
Plays Stephen Ashe
A Free Soul
1931
Plays In Club
So Near, Yet So Far
1912
Plays Martin Turner
This Side of Heaven
1934
Plays T.R. Paige
The Girl from Missouri
1934
1 TV Shows
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Key Largo
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lionel Barrymore still alive?
Lionel Barrymore passed away on November 15, 1954 at age 76.
What are the most famous roles of Lionel Barrymore?
Lionel Barrymore is best known for roles in It's a Wonderful Life, Key Largo, You Can't Take It with You.
How many movies has Lionel Barrymore been in?
Over a 49-year career (since 1905), Lionel Barrymore has appeared in 163 movies and 0 TV shows.
What was Lionel Barrymore's first movie?
The career of Lionel Barrymore began with The White Caps (1905).
What is Lionel Barrymore's most recent movie or series?
Lionel Barrymore's most recent release is Our Mr. Sun, which premiered on November 19, 1956.
Lionel Barrymore
1878-04-28 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Lionel Barrymore (born Lionel Herbert Blythe; April 28, 1878 – November 15, 1954) was an American actor of stage, screen and radio as well as a film director. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in A Free Soul (1931), and remains best known to modern audiences for the role of villainous Mr. Potter in Frank Capra's 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life. He is also particularly remembered as Ebenezer Scrooge in annual broadcasts of A Christmas Carol during his last two decades. He is also known for playing Dr. Leonard Gillespie in MGM's nine Dr. Kildare films, a role he reprised in a further six films focusing solely on Gillespie and in a radio series entitled The Story of Dr. Kildare. He was a member of the theatrical Barrymore family.