Lionel Barrymore
Acting
Biography
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.
Notable Works
Prominent titles featuring Lionel Barrymore
Filmography
Acting (246)
2008
Frank Capra Jr. Remembers... You Can't Take It with Youas Self (archive footage)
2005
Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywoodas Self (archive footage)
10.0
2004
Checking Out: Grand Hotelas Self / Various roles (archive footage)
7.0
2003
The Mesmeristas The Innkeeper (archive footage)
8.0
2003
Complicated Womenas Self (archive footage)
6.9
1987
James Stewart: A Wonderful Lifeas Self (archive footage)
6.5
1986
Super Duper Bloopersas Self
4.0
1976
That's Entertainment, Part IIas (archive footage)
7.0
1976
Hooray for Hollywoodas Self (archive footage)
8.0
1974
That's Entertainment!as (archive footage) (uncredited)
7.4
1972
Hollywood: The Dream Factoryas Self (archive footage)
7.2
1970
Brasileiros em Hollywoodas Self (archive footage)
1956
Our Mr. Sunas Father Time (voice)
7.3
1955
Film Funas (archive footage)
5.3
1953
Yesterday and Todayas (archive footage)
7.0
1953
Main Street to Broadwayas Self
7.3
1952
Lone Staras Andrew Jackson
5.7
1951
Bannerlineas Hugo Trimble
6.8
1951
The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Storyas Himself - Giving Introduction
5.5
1950
Right Crossas Sean O'Malley
7.3
1950
Screen Actorsas Self (uncredited)
6.3
1949
Breakdowns of 1949as Self
6.0
1949
Malayaas John Manchester
6.9
7.0
1949
Down to the Sea in Shipsas Bering Joy
7.2
1948
Key Largoas James Temple
7.5
1947
Dark Delusionas Dr. Leonard Gillespie
6.8
1947
The Way of the Worldas Grizzley Fallon (Archive Footage)
1946
Duel in the Sunas Sen. Jackson McCanles
6.4
1946
The Secret Heartas Dr. Rossiger
6.5
1946
It's a Wonderful Lifeas Mr. Potter
8.3
1946
Three Wise Foolsas Dr. Richard Gaunght
5.7
1945
The Valley of Decisionas Pat Rafferty
7.2
1945
Between Two Womenas Dr. Leonard Gillespie
6.1
1944
Dragon Seedas Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
6.8
1944
Since You Went Awayas Clergyman
6.6
1944
3 Men in Whiteas Dr. Leonard Gillespie
6.4
1944
A Guy Named Joeas The General
6.7
1944
Twenty Years Afteras (archive footage)
8.0
1943
8.5
1943
Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Caseas Dr. Leonard Gillespie
6.0
1942
Tennessee Johnsonas Thaddeus Stevens
5.8
1942
Dr. Gillespie's New Assistantas Dr. Leonard Gillespie
6.5
1942
Calling Dr. Gillespieas Dr. Leonard Gillespie
7.0
1942
Dr. Kildare's Victoryas Dr. Leonard Gillespie
6.2
1941
Lady Be Goodas Judge Murdock
5.5
1941
Dr. Kildare's Wedding Dayas Dr. Leonard Gillespie
6.8
1941
The People Vs. Dr. Kildareas Dr. Leonard Gillespie
7.0
1941
The Bad Manas Uncle Henry Jones
5.9
1941
The Penaltyas 'Grandpop' Logan
7.4
1940
Dr. Kildare's Crisisas Dr. Leonard Gillespie
6.7
6.8
1940
Dr. Kildare Goes Homeas Dr. Leonard Gillespie
6.8
1940
Cavalcade of the Academy Awardsas Self (archive footage)
6.3
1940
5.8
1940
Dr. Kildare's Strange Caseas Leonard Gillespie
4.8
1940
The Stars Look Downas Narrator (U.S. release only) (voice)
6.5
1939
The Secret of Dr. Kildareas Leonard Gillespie
6.1
1939
On Borrowed Timeas Julian Northrup aka Gramps
7.6
1939
The Movies March Onas Self (segment The New York Hat) (archive footage)
5.3
1939
Land of Libertyas (archive footage)
9.0
1939
From the Ends of the Earthas Self
5.0
1939
Calling Dr. Kildareas Dr. Leonard Gillespie
6.6
1939
Let Freedom Ringas Thomas Logan
6.8
1938
7.0
1938
Young Dr. Kildareas Dr. Leonard Gillespie
6.7
1938
You Can't Take It with Youas Martin Vanderhof
7.5
1938
Screen Snapshots Series 17, No. 12as Lionel Barrymore
6.0
1938
Test Pilotas Howard B. Drake
6.1
1938
A Yank at Oxfordas Dan Sheridan
6.8
1937
Navy Blue and Goldas Captain 'Skinny' Dawes
5.7
1937
Saratogaas Grandpa Clayton
6.5
1937
Captains Courageousas Captain Disko Troop
7.4
1937
A Family Affairas Judge Hardy
5.9
1936
Camilleas Monsieur Duval
7.0
1936
The Road to Gloryas Papa La Roche / Pvt. Morin
6.5
1936
The Gorgeous Hussyas Andrew Jackson
5.5
1936
The Devil-Dollas Paul Lavond
6.8
1936
The Voice of Bugle Annas Springfield Davis
5.5
1935
Ah, Wilderness!as Nat Miller
6.6
1935
The Return Of Peter Grimmas Peter Grimm
6.0
1935
Public Hero Number 1as Dr. Josiah Glass
6.3
1935
Mark of the Vampireas Professor Zelin
6.2
1935
The Little Colonelas Colonel Lloyd
6.6
1935
David Copperfieldas Dan Peggotty
6.7
1934
Treasure Islandas Billy Bones
6.5
1934
The Girl from Missourias T.R. Paige
7.4
1934
This Side of Heavenas Martin Turner
7.5
1934
Carolinaas Bob Connelly
6.7
1933
Dinner at Eightas Oliver Jordan
6.8
1933
Should Ladies Behaveas Augustus Merrick
4.8
1933
Christopher Beanas Dr. Milton Haggett
8.0
1933
Night Flightas Robineau
5.6
1933
One Man's Journeyas Eli Watt
6.7
1933
The Stranger's Returnas Grandpa Cyrus Tatum Storr
6.2
1933
Looking Forwardas Tim Benton
6.6
1933
Sweepingsas Daniel Pardway
5.8
1932
Rasputin and the Empressas Grigori Rasputin
5.5
1932
Grand Hotelas Otto Kringelein
7.0
1932
The Washington Masqueradeas Jefferson "Jeff" Keane
6.8
1932
The Movie Albumas (archive footage)
7.5
1932
Arsène Lupinas Detective Guerchard
7.0
1932
Broken Lullabyas Dr. H. Holderlin
7.5
1931
Mata Harias General Serge Shubin
6.2
1931
The Christmas Partyas Himself (uncredited)
5.4
1931
The Yellow Ticketas Baron Igor Andreeff
5.1
1931
Guilty Handsas Richard Grant
5.9
1931
A Free Soulas Stephen Ashe
6.2
1930
Estrelladosas Self (Guest Appearance)
7.0
1930
Free and Easyas Bedroom Scene
6.1
1929
The Hollywood Revue of 1929as Self - Director of 'Romeo and Juliet' (uncredited)
5.7
1929
The Mysterious Islandas Andre Dakkar
5.6
1928
The River Womanas Bill Lefty
9.0
1928
West of Zanzibaras Crane
6.9
1928
Alias Jimmy Valentineas Doyle
8.0
1928
Road Houseas Henry Grayson
10.0
1928
The Lion and the Mouseas John Ryder
9.0
1928
Drums of Loveas Duke Cathos de Alvia
7.5
1928
Sadie Thompsonas Alfred Davidson
6.6
1927
The Thirteenth Houras Prof. Leroy
8.0
1927
Body and Soulas Dr. Leyden
7.0
1927
Women Love Diamondsas Hugo Harlan
8.0
1927
The Showas The Greek
6.1
1926
The Temptressas Canterac
6.7
1926
The Bellsas Mathias
6.2
1926
The Lucky Ladyas Count Ferranzo
7.0
1926
Paris at Midnightas Vautrin
9.0
1926
Wife Tamersas Mr. Barry
7.0
1926
The Barrieras Stark Bennett
7.0
1926
Brooding Eyesas Slim Jim Carey
10.0
1925
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christas Chariot Race Spectator (uncredited)
7.3
1925
The Splendid Roadas Dan Clehollis
7.0
1925
The Woman Who Didas Allan Merrick
9.0
1925
Fifty-Fiftyas Frederick Harmon
9.0
1925
The Wrongdoersas Daniel Abbott
7.0
1925
The Girl Who Wouldn't Workas Gordon Kent
9.0
1925
Children of the Whirlwindas Joe Ellison
9.0
1925
A Man of Ironas Philip Durban
10.0
1924
I Am the Manas James McQuade
7.0
1924
Meddling Womenas Edwin Ainsworth / John Wells (duel role)
10.0
1924
Americaas Capt. Walter Butler
5.9
1924
Decameron Nightsas Saladin
9.0
1923
The Eternal Cityas Baron Bonelli
7.5
1923
Unseeing Eyesas Conrad Dean
1923
Enemies of Womenas Prince Lubimoff
6.5
1922
The Face in the Fogas Boston Blackie Dawson
7.0
1922
Boomerang Billas Boomerang Bill
4.5
1921
Jim the Penmanas James Ralston
8.0
1921
The Great Adventureas Priam Farll
7.0
1920
The Devil's Gardenas William Dale
7.0
1920
The Master Mindas Henry Allen
8.0
1920
The Copperheadas Milt Shanks
7.0
8.0
1917
The Millionaire's Doubleas Bide Bennington
1917
His Father's Sonas J. Dabney Barro
1917
The End of the Touras Byron Bennett
8.0
1916
The Brand of Cowardiceas Cyril Hamilton
1916
The Upheavalas Jim Gordon
7.0
1916
The Quitteras Happy Jack Lewis
1916
Dorian's Divorceas Richard Dorian
7.0
1915
A Yellow Streakas Barry Dale
1915
Dora Thorneas Lord Earle
1915
The Flaming Swordas Steve
1915
The Romance of Elaineas Marcus Del Mar / Mr. X
1915
The Curious Conduct of Judge Legardeas Judge Randolph Legarde
1915
A Modern Magdalenas Lindsay
1915
Wildfireas John Keefe
6.0
1914
The Span of Lifeas Richard Blunt
1914
The Seats of the Mightyas Monsieur Doltaire
1914
Under the Gaslightas William Byke
1914
The Woman in Blackas Robert Crane
5.0
1914
The Power of the Pressas Steve Carson
1914
Men and Womenas Stephen Rodman / Robert Stevens
1914
Woman Against Womanas Gilbert Craven
10.0
1914
Judith of Bethuliaas Extra (uncredited)
6.1
1914
Strongheartas Billy Saunders
5.0
1914
Classmatesas Bubby Dumble
1914
The Bartered Crownas The Landlord
1913
The House of Discordas The Husband
1913
All for Scienceas Detective
7.0
1913
1913
The Stolen Treatyas The Japanese Diplomat
1913
The Strong Man's Burdenas John - the Elder Brother
7.0
1913
The Crook and the Girlas The Nephew
1913
The Work Habitas The Father
9.0
1913
The Suffragette Minstrelsas (unconfirmed)
10.0
1913
An Indian's Loyaltyas The Cattle Buyer
1913
Under the Shadow of the Lawas Charles Darnton - the Employer
6.0
1913
I Was Meant for Youas Lavina's Father
10.0
1913
The Mirroras Daisy's Father
1913
Pa Saysas Teddy's Rival
1913
A Gamble with Deathas Jim Benton, the Bartender
10.0
1913
In Diplomatic Circlesas The Japanese Ambassador
10.0
1913
Almost a Wild Manas In Audience (uncredited)
1913
The Switchtoweras First Counterfeiter
5.0
1913
Death's Marathonas The Financial Backer
5.7
1913
The Wellas The Farmer
1913
The Enemy's Babyas Postmaster Ben Brown
1913
Red Hicks Defies the Worldas The Referee
10.0
1913
A Timely Interceptionas Uncle James - The Farmer's Brother
4.8
1913
The Ranchero's Revengeas The Ranchero
1913
Just Goldas The Stay-at-Home Brother
1913
The Yaqui Curas The Easterner
1913
The House of Darknessas The Doctor
5.0
1913
The Wandereras The Male Lover
5.4
1913
The Lady and the Mouseas The Father
1913
A Misunderstood Boyas The Father
1913
The Little Teaseas In Bar
5.0
1913
The Perfidy of Maryas Mary's Father
1913
The Sheriff's Babyas Third Bandit
5.5
1913
Fateas Father, Loving Family
5.7
1913
Near To Earthas Gato
1913
The Unwelcome Guestas At Auction (uncredited)
5.0
1913
The Wrong Bottleas The Father
1913
Love in an Apartment Hotelas In Hotel Lobby
1913
A Chance Deceptionas 2nd Policeman
1913
Oil and Wateras The Idealist's Friend
1913
The Tender Hearted Boyas (uncredited)
1913
An Adventure in the Autumn Woodsas The Father
1913
The Telephone Girl and the Ladyas The Desk Sergeant
5.7
1913
Three Friendsas Second Friend
5.0
1912
The God Withinas The Woman of the Camp's Lover
1912
A Cry for Helpas The Tramp
1912
The Burglar’s Dilemmaas The Householder
5.3
1912
1912
The New York Hatas Minister
5.6
1912
Brutalityas At Wedding
1912
The Informeras Union Soldier
1912
My Babyas At table
5.5
1912
Gold and Glitteras The Lover
1912
Heredityas Woodsman
1912
The Musketeers of Pig Alleyas The Musician's Friend
6.1
1912
The Painted Ladyas At Ice Cream Festival
5.7
1912
The One She Lovedas The Neighbor
1912
The Chief's Blanketas The Young Man
1912
So Near, Yet So Faras In Club
5.9
1912
Friendsas Grizzley Fallon - Dandy Jack's Friend
5.5
1911
The Miser's Heartas Jules - the Thief
6.0
1911
The Battleas Wagon Driver (uncredited)
4.6
1911
6.3
1905
5.6
Production & Directing (15)
1931
Ten Cents a DanceDirector
6.7
1930
10.0
1930
The Sea BatDirector
4.4
1930
RedemptionDirector
5.7
1930
The Rogue SongDirector
6.5
1929
His Glorious NightDirector
7.0
1929
His Glorious NightMusic
7.0
1929
The Unholy NightDirector
5.7
1929
Madame XDirector
6.3
1917
Life's WhirlpoolDirector
1917
Life's WhirlpoolWriter
1913
His SecretDirector
6.5
1913
The Vengeance of GaloraWriter
1913
The Tender Hearted BoyWriter
1912
The Burglar’s DilemmaWriter
5.3