John Barrymore
ActingAbout John Barrymore
John Sidney Blyth Barrymore (February 15, 1882 – May 29, 1942) was an acclaimed American actor. He first gained fame as a handsome stage actor in light comedy, then high drama and culminating in groundbreaking portrayals in Shakespearean plays Hamlet and Richard III. His success continued with motion pictures in various genres in both the silent and sound eras. Barrymore's personal life has been the subject of much writing before and since his passing in 1942. Today John Barrymore is mostly known for his roles in movies like Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1920), Grand Hotel (1932), Dinner at Eight (1933), Twentieth Century (1934), and Don Juan (1926), the first ever movie to use a Vitaphone soundtrack. A member of a multi-generation theatrical dynasty, he was the brother of Lionel Barrymore and Ethel Barrymore, and was the paternal grandfather of Drew Barrymore.
John Barrymore Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of John Barrymore reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of John Barrymore's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 92% of John Barrymore's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Life in Hollywood No. 4, which stands out as a key performance.
Best John Barrymore Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from John Barrymore's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie John Barrymore has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Coded: The Hidden Love of J.C. Leyendecker | Archival Footage | Average | Similar → |
| 2005 | Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywood | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2004 | Checking Out: Grand Hotel | Self / Various roles (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2003 | Complicated Women | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | The Casting Couch | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio | Hamlet (archive sound) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | Going Hollywood: The '30s | (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | The Horror of It All | Svengali (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | That's Entertainment, Part II | (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | It's Showtime | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | The Horror Hall of Fame: A Monster Salute | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | Hollywood: The Dream Factory | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | The Legend of Rudolph Valentino | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | Yesterday and Today | (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | The Golden Twenties | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Okay for Sound | Don Juan (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Screen Snapshots (Series 25, No. 1): 25th Anniversary | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | The Great Profile | Evans Garrick | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Land of Liberty | (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Midnight | Georges Flammarion | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Great Man Votes | Vance | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Hold That Co-ed | Gabby Harrigan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Marie Antoinette | King Louis XV | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Hollywood Goes to Town | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Maytime | Nicolai Nazaroff | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Twentieth Century | Oscar Jaffe | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Counsellor at Law | George Simon | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Dinner at Eight | Larry Renault | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Reunion in Vienna | Archduke Rudolf von Hapsburg | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Hamlet, Act I: Scenes IV and V | Hamlet | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | A Bill of Divorcement | Hilary Fairfield | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | Grand Hotel | Baron Felix von Gaigern | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | State's Attorney | Tom Cardigan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | Arsène Lupin | Duke of Charmerace | Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | The Mad Genius | Vladimar Ivan Tsarakov | Average | Similar → |
| 1930 | The Man from Blankley's | Lord Strathpeffer | Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | General Crack | Duke of Kurland / Prince Christian | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | The Show of Shows | Richard III in 'Henry VI Part III' (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | Life in Hollywood No. 4 | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | The Beloved Rogue | François Villon | Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | Don Juan | Don Jose de Marana / Don Juan de Marana | Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Sea Beast | Captain Ahab Ceeley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | Vagabonding On The Pacific | Himself | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ | Chariot Race Spectator (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | Beau Brummel | Gordon Bryon 'Beau' Brummel | Hit | Similar → |
| 1921 | The Lotus Eater | Jacques Leroi | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1920 | Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde | Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Edward Hyde | Hit | Similar → |
| 1919 | Here Comes the Bride | Frederick Tile | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1917 | National Red Cross Pageant | The Tyrant - Russian episode | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1912 | Just Pretending | The Policeman (as Jack Barrymore) | Super Hit | Similar → |
John Barrymore - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of John Barrymore?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Barrymore is "Life in Hollywood No. 4" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has John Barrymore acted in?
John Barrymore has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by John Barrymore?
Other notable films include "Screen Snapshots (Series 25, No. 1): 25th Anniversary", "General Crack", and "Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywood".