Ethel Barrymore

A Broadway lead from 1900 who, while her brothers John and Lionel were becoming film stars, established herself as "the first lady of the American stage." Barrymore's screen performances were sporadic, but included an outstanding role in "Rasputin and the Empress" (1932), which co-starred both her brothers. She began making more film appearances as wry, crusty but usually good-hearted matriarchs in the 1940s, winning a best supporting actress Oscar for her performance as Cary Grant's mother in "None But the Lonely Heart" (1944). Other especially notable performances were in "The Spiral Staircase" (1946), "The Farmer's Daughter" (1947), "Pinky" (1949), "Kind Lady" (1951), and "Deadline U.S.A." (1952).

• Also Credited As:
  Ethel Mae Blyth
• Born:
  August 15, 1879 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Died:
  June 18, 1959.
• Job Titles:
  Actor, Author

Education

• Convent of the Sacred Heart, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Milestones

• 1894 Stage acting debut, "The Rivals"
• 1901 Achieved stardom on stage with "Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines"
• 1914 Film acting debut in "The Nightingale"
• 1932 One-shot return to film opposite brothers John and Lionel in "Rasputin and the Empress"
• 1936 Announced retirement
• 1937 Returned to stage acting career in "The Ghost of Yankee Doodle"
• 1940 Enjoyed greatest stage success with "The Corn Is Green"
• 1944 Returned to films with "None But the Lonely Heart"
• 1957 Last film, "Johnny Trouble"
• Appeared in a dozen films between 1914 and 1919
• Appeared in over 20 films between 1944 and 1957