John Barrymore
(1882–1942) Stage and film
actor, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Brother of Ethel Barrymore and
Lionel Barrymore of the great acting family, he made his debut in 1903 and
became a matinee idol. He triumphed on stage as Hamlet (1922), then turned to
films and radio. Married four times, he caricatured his own decadent,
alcohol-ridden life in a series of minor comedies, including The Great Profile
(1940).