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Lionel Barrymore

Lionel Barrymore

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.

Born

Apr 28, 1878

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Died

Nov 15, 1954

Known For

Acting

Movies

246 acting

15 crew

Popularity

1.0

movie

Known For

It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life

1946

as Mr. Potter
You Can't Take It with You

You Can't Take It with You

1938

as Martin Vanderhof
Duel in the Sun

Duel in the Sun

1946

as Sen. Jackson McCanles
Grand Hotel

Grand Hotel

1932

as Otto Kringelein
Captains Courageous

Captains Courageous

1937

as Captain Disko Troop
Key Largo

Key Largo

1948

as James Temple
Camille

Camille

1936

as Monsieur Duval
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

1925

as Chariot Race Spectator (uncredited)
Dinner at Eight

Dinner at Eight

1933

as Oliver Jordan
Mark of the Vampire

Mark of the Vampire

1935

as Professor Zelin
It's a Wonderful Life
It's a Wonderful Life
1946 • as Mr. Potter
★ 8.3
You Can't Take It with You
You Can't Take It with You
1938 • as Martin Vanderhof
★ 7.5
Duel in the Sun
Duel in the Sun
1946 • as Sen. Jackson McCanles
★ 6.4
Grand Hotel
Grand Hotel
1932 • as Otto Kringelein
★ 7.0
Captains Courageous
Captains Courageous
1937 • as Captain Disko Troop
★ 7.4
Key Largo
Key Largo
1948 • as James Temple
★ 7.5
Camille
Camille
1936 • as Monsieur Duval
★ 7.0
David Copperfield
David Copperfield
1935 • as Dan Peggotty
★ 6.7
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
1925 • as Chariot Race Spectator (uncredited)
★ 7.3
Treasure Island
Treasure Island
1934 • as Billy Bones
★ 6.6
That's Entertainment, Part II
That's Entertainment, Part II
1976 • as (archive footage)
★ 7.0
Dinner at Eight
Dinner at Eight
1933 • as Oliver Jordan
★ 6.8
The Valley of Decision
The Valley of Decision
1945 • as Pat Rafferty
★ 7.2
That's Entertainment!
That's Entertainment!
1974 • as (archive footage) (uncredited)
★ 7.4
A Guy Named Joe
A Guy Named Joe
1944 • as The General
★ 6.7
Down to the Sea in Ships
Down to the Sea in Ships
1949 • as Bering Joy
★ 7.2
Since You Went Away
Since You Went Away
1944 • as Clergyman
★ 6.6
Mata Hari
Mata Hari
1931 • as General Serge Shubin
★ 6.2
movie
Love in an Apartment Hotel
1913 • as In Hotel Lobby
A Yank at Oxford
A Yank at Oxford
1938 • as Dan Sheridan
★ 6.8
Arsène Lupin
Arsène Lupin
1932 • as Detective Guerchard
★ 7.0
Rasputin and the Empress
Rasputin and the Empress
1932 • as Grigori Rasputin
★ 5.4
Navy Blue and Gold
Navy Blue and Gold
1937 • as Captain 'Skinny' Dawes
★ 5.7
Lone Star
Lone Star
1952 • as Andrew Jackson
★ 5.7
Dragon Seed
Dragon Seed
1944 • as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
★ 6.8
Mark of the Vampire
Mark of the Vampire
1935 • as Professor Zelin
★ 6.2
The Devil-Doll
The Devil-Doll
1936 • as Paul Lavond
★ 6.8
Saratoga
Saratoga
1937 • as Grandpa Clayton
★ 6.5
The Road to Glory
The Road to Glory
1936 • as Papa La Roche / Pvt. Morin
★ 6.5
The Gorgeous Hussy
The Gorgeous Hussy
1936 • as Andrew Jackson
★ 5.5
James Stewart: A Wonderful Life
James Stewart: A Wonderful Life
1987 • as Self (archive footage)
★ 6.5
Three Friends
Three Friends
1913 • as Second Friend
★ 5.0
Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case
Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case
1943 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.0
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
1940 • as Self (archive footage)
★ 6.3
Hollywood: The Dream Factory
Hollywood: The Dream Factory
1972 • as Self (archive footage)
★ 7.4
The Secret of Dr. Kildare
The Secret of Dr. Kildare
1939 • as Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.1
The Girl from Missouri
The Girl from Missouri
1934 • as T.R. Paige
★ 7.4
Test Pilot
Test Pilot
1938 • as Howard B. Drake
★ 6.1
Carolina
Carolina
1934 • as Bob Connelly
★ 6.7
The Hollywood Revue of 1929
The Hollywood Revue of 1929
1929 • as Self - Director of 'Romeo and Juliet' (uncredited)
★ 5.7
The Little Colonel
The Little Colonel
1935 • as Colonel Lloyd
★ 6.6
movie
The Mirror
1913 • as Daisy's Father
Malaya
Malaya
1949 • as John Manchester
★ 6.9
Bannerline
Bannerline
1951 • as Hugo Trimble
★ 6.8
A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound
A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound
1940 • as Self
★ 6.8
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
1940 • as Self
★ 5.8
Twenty Years After
Twenty Years After
1944 • as (archive footage)
★ 8.0
The Lady and the Mouse
The Lady and the Mouse
1913 • as The Father
D.W. Griffith - Years of Discovery 1909-1913
D.W. Griffith - Years of Discovery 1909-1913
2002
3 Men in White
3 Men in White
1944 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.4
Complicated Women
Complicated Women
2003 • as Self (archive footage)
★ 6.9
Let Freedom Ring
Let Freedom Ring
1939 • as Thomas Logan
★ 6.8
Public Hero Number 1
Public Hero Number 1
1935 • as Dr. Josiah Glass
★ 6.3
The Musketeers of Pig Alley
The Musketeers of Pig Alley
1912 • as The Musician's Friend
★ 6.1
A Free Soul
A Free Soul
1931 • as Stephen Ashe
★ 6.2
Night Flight
Night Flight
1933 • as Robineau
★ 5.6
movie
The God Within
1912 • as The Woman of the Camp's Lover
Drums of Love
Drums of Love
1928 • as Duke Cathos de Alvia
★ 7.5
Main Street to Broadway
Main Street to Broadway
1953 • as Self
★ 7.3
The Stranger's Return
The Stranger's Return
1933 • as Grandpa Cyrus Tatum Storr
★ 6.2
Road House
Road House
1928 • as Henry Grayson
★ 10.0
The Penalty
The Penalty
1941 • as 'Grandpop' Logan
★ 7.4
The Exploits of Elaine
The Exploits of Elaine
1914
★ 6.0
One Man's Journey
One Man's Journey
1933 • as Eli Watt
★ 6.6
The Seats of the Mighty
The Seats of the Mighty
1914 • as Monsieur Doltaire
Guilty Hands
Guilty Hands
1931 • as Richard Grant
★ 6.1
Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day
Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day
1941 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.8
The Stars Look Down
The Stars Look Down
1940 • as Narrator (U.S. release only) (voice)
★ 6.5
The Burglar’s Dilemma
The Burglar’s Dilemma
1912 • as The Householder
★ 5.3
Dr. Kildare's Strange Case
Dr. Kildare's Strange Case
1940 • as Leonard Gillespie
★ 4.9
Our Mr. Sun
Our Mr. Sun
1956 • as Father Time (voice)
★ 7.3
On Borrowed Time
On Borrowed Time
1939 • as Julian Northrup aka Gramps
★ 7.7
Dr. Kildare Goes Home
Dr. Kildare Goes Home
1940 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.8
Young Dr. Kildare
Young Dr. Kildare
1938 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.6
The Chief's Blanket
The Chief's Blanket
1912 • as The Young Man
This Side of Heaven
This Side of Heaven
1934 • as Martin Turner
★ 7.5
movie
An Adventure in the Autumn Woods
1913 • as The Father
Death's Marathon
Death's Marathon
1913 • as The Financial Backer
★ 5.7
Free and Easy
Free and Easy
1930 • as Bedroom Scene
★ 6.1
movie
Checking Out: Grand Hotel
2004 • as Self / Various roles (archive footage)
★ 7.0
So Near, Yet So Far
So Near, Yet So Far
1912 • as In Club
★ 5.9
The New York Hat
The New York Hat
1912 • as Minister
★ 5.6
Brutality
Brutality
1912 • as At Wedding
From the Ends of the Earth
From the Ends of the Earth
1939 • as Self
★ 5.0
An Indian's Loyalty
An Indian's Loyalty
1913 • as The Cattle Buyer
Broken Lullaby
Broken Lullaby
1932 • as Dr. H. Holderlin
★ 7.4
Calling Dr. Kildare
Calling Dr. Kildare
1939 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.7
A Man of Iron
A Man of Iron
1925 • as Philip Durban
★ 10.0
Land of Liberty
Land of Liberty
1939 • as (archive footage)
★ 9.0
Screen Snapshots Series 17, No. 12
Screen Snapshots Series 17, No. 12
1938 • as Lionel Barrymore
★ 6.0
Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant
Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant
1942 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.5
The Secret Heart
The Secret Heart
1946 • as Dr. Rossiger
★ 6.5
Tennessee Johnson
Tennessee Johnson
1942 • as Thaddeus Stevens
★ 6.6
Dora Thorne
Dora Thorne
1915 • as Lord Earle
Some of the Best: Twenty-Five Years of Motion Picture Leadership
Some of the Best: Twenty-Five Years of Motion Picture Leadership
1949 • as Himself
★ 7.0
Brasileiros em Hollywood
Brasileiros em Hollywood
1970 • as Self (archive footage)
The Romance of Elaine
The Romance of Elaine
1915 • as Marcus Del Mar / Mr. X
The Voice of Bugle Ann
The Voice of Bugle Ann
1936 • as Springfield Davis
★ 5.5
Dr. Kildare's Crisis
Dr. Kildare's Crisis
1940 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.7
The House of Darkness
The House of Darkness
1913 • as The Doctor
★ 5.0
The Mysterious Island
The Mysterious Island
1929 • as Andre Dakkar
★ 5.6
Dark Delusion
Dark Delusion
1947 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.8
Three Wise Fools
Three Wise Fools
1946 • as Dr. Richard Gaunght
★ 5.7
The People Vs. Dr. Kildare
The People Vs. Dr. Kildare
1941 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 7.0
The Last Will and Testament of Tom Smith
The Last Will and Testament of Tom Smith
1943 • as Gramps
★ 6.3
Dr. Kildare's Victory
Dr. Kildare's Victory
1942 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.2
The Sheriff's Baby
The Sheriff's Baby
1913 • as Third Bandit
★ 5.7
Friends
Friends
1912 • as Grizzley Fallon - Dandy Jack's Friend
★ 5.5
movie
Red Hicks Defies the World
1913 • as The Referee
★ 10.0
The Woman in Black
The Woman in Black
1914 • as Robert Crane
★ 5.0
The House of Discord
The House of Discord
1913 • as The Husband
A Family Affair
A Family Affair
1937 • as Judge Hardy
★ 5.9
The Return Of Peter Grimm
The Return Of Peter Grimm
1935 • as Peter Grimm
★ 6.0
West of Zanzibar
West of Zanzibar
1928 • as Crane
★ 6.9
Looking Forward
Looking Forward
1933 • as Tim Benton
★ 6.6
Fighting Blood
Fighting Blood
1911
★ 6.3
The Yellow Ticket
The Yellow Ticket
1931 • as Baron Igor Andreeff
★ 5.1
The Battle
The Battle
1911 • as Wagon Driver (uncredited)
★ 4.6
Strongheart
Strongheart
1914 • as Billy Saunders
★ 5.0
The Great Adventure
The Great Adventure
1921 • as Priam Farll
★ 7.0
My Baby
My Baby
1912 • as At table
★ 5.5
Decameron Nights
Decameron Nights
1924 • as Saladin
★ 9.0
Fate
Fate
1913 • as Father, Loving Family
★ 5.7
The Temptress
The Temptress
1926 • as Canterac
★ 6.7
The Way of the World
The Way of the World
1947 • as Grizzley Fallon (Archive Footage)
Women Love Diamonds
Women Love Diamonds
1927 • as Hugo Harlan
★ 8.0
The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Story
The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Story
1951 • as Himself - Giving Introduction
★ 5.5
Alias Jimmy Valentine
Alias Jimmy Valentine
1928 • as Doyle
★ 8.0
National Red Cross Pageant
National Red Cross Pageant
1917
★ 8.0
movie
Almost a Wild Man
1913 • as In Audience (uncredited)
movie
The Enemy's Baby
1913 • as Postmaster Ben Brown
The Miser's Heart
The Miser's Heart
1911 • as Jules - the Thief
★ 6.0
Fifty-Fifty
Fifty-Fifty
1925 • as Frederick Harmon
★ 9.0
movie
Film Fun
1955 • as (archive footage)
★ 5.3
A Cry for Help
A Cry for Help
1912 • as The Tramp
Between Two Women
Between Two Women
1945 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.1
The Copperhead
The Copperhead
1920 • as Milt Shanks
★ 7.0
Sadie Thompson
Sadie Thompson
1928 • as Alfred Davidson
★ 6.6
The Wrongdoers
The Wrongdoers
1925 • as Daniel Abbott
★ 7.0
movie
Just Gold
1913 • as The Stay-at-Home Brother
Breakdowns of 1949
Breakdowns of 1949
1949 • as Self
★ 6.0
The Lion and the Mouse
The Lion and the Mouse
1928 • as John Ryder
★ 9.0
Unseeing Eyes
Unseeing Eyes
1923 • as Conrad Dean
The Show
The Show
1927 • as The Greek
★ 6.1
The Girl Who Wouldn't Work
The Girl Who Wouldn't Work
1925 • as Gordon Kent
★ 9.0
Judith of Bethulia
Judith of Bethulia
1914 • as Extra (uncredited)
★ 6.1
The Upheaval
The Upheaval
1916 • as Jim Gordon
★ 7.0
Sweepings
Sweepings
1933 • as Daniel Pardway
★ 5.8
Right Cross
Right Cross
1950 • as Sean O'Malley
★ 7.3
Calling Dr. Gillespie
Calling Dr. Gillespie
1942 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 7.0
The Devil's Garden
The Devil's Garden
1920 • as William Dale
★ 7.0
The Power of the Press
The Power of the Press
1914 • as Steve Carson
The Bad Man
The Bad Man
1941 • as Uncle Henry Jones
★ 5.9
Children of the Whirlwind
Children of the Whirlwind
1925 • as Joe Ellison
★ 9.0
The Millionaire's Double
The Millionaire's Double
1917 • as Bide Bennington
Enemies of Women
Enemies of Women
1923 • as Prince Lubimoff
★ 6.5
The Christmas Party
The Christmas Party
1931 • as Himself (uncredited)
★ 5.4
Hooray for Hollywood
Hooray for Hollywood
1976 • as Self (archive footage)
★ 8.0
The Barrier
The Barrier
1926 • as Stark Bennett
★ 7.0
Should Ladies Behave
Should Ladies Behave
1933 • as Augustus Merrick
★ 4.8
movie
So Runs the Way
1913
Lady Be Good
Lady Be Good
1941 • as Judge Murdock
★ 5.5
Ah, Wilderness!
Ah, Wilderness!
1935 • as Nat Miller
★ 6.8
movie
The Vengeance of Galora
1913
movie
The Cracksman's Gratitude
1914
Christopher Bean
Christopher Bean
1933 • as Dr. Milton Haggett
★ 8.0
movie
Classmates
1914 • as Bubby Dumble
The Brand of Cowardice
The Brand of Cowardice
1916 • as Cyril Hamilton
movie
The Stolen Treaty
1913 • as The Japanese Diplomat
Oil and Water
Oil and Water
1913 • as The Idealist's Friend
movie
The Span of Life
1914 • as Richard Blunt
The Yaqui Cur
The Yaqui Cur
1913 • as The Easterner
The Face in the Fog
The Face in the Fog
1922 • as Boston Blackie Dawson
★ 7.0
The Movies March On
The Movies March On
1939 • as Self (segment The New York Hat) (archive footage)
★ 5.2
movie
The One She Loved
1912 • as The Neighbor
The Telephone Girl and the Lady
The Telephone Girl and the Lady
1913 • as The Desk Sergeant
★ 5.7
Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywood
Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywood
2005 • as Self (archive footage)
★ 10.0
Yesterday and Today
Yesterday and Today
1953 • as (archive footage)
★ 7.0
movie
I Was Meant for You
1913 • as Lavina's Father
★ 10.0
The Curious Conduct of Judge Legarde
The Curious Conduct of Judge Legarde
1915 • as Judge Randolph Legarde
A Timely Interception
A Timely Interception
1913 • as Uncle James - The Farmer's Brother
★ 4.8
movie
I Am the Man
1924 • as James McQuade
★ 7.0
Boomerang Bill
Boomerang Bill
1922 • as Boomerang Bill
★ 4.5
movie
The Well
1913 • as The Farmer
movie
The Ranchero's Revenge
1913 • as The Ranchero
Frank Capra Jr. Remembers... You Can't Take It with You
Frank Capra Jr. Remembers... You Can't Take It with You
2008 • as Self (archive footage)
His Father's Son
His Father's Son
1917 • as J. Dabney Barro
movie
Under the Shadow of the Law
1913 • as Charles Darnton - the Employer
★ 6.0
Under the Gaslight
Under the Gaslight
1914 • as William Byke
The Eternal City
The Eternal City
1923 • as Baron Bonelli
★ 7.5
movie
A Gamble with Death
1913 • as Jim Benton, the Bartender
★ 10.0
A Modern Magdalen
A Modern Magdalen
1915 • as Lindsay
movie
In Diplomatic Circles
1913 • as The Japanese Ambassador
★ 10.0
Wife Tamers
Wife Tamers
1926 • as Mr. Barry
★ 7.0
The Movie Album
The Movie Album
1932 • as (archive footage)
★ 7.5
Jim the Penman
Jim the Penman
1921 • as James Ralston
★ 8.0
The Informer
The Informer
1912 • as Union Soldier
The Splendid Road
The Splendid Road
1925 • as Dan Clehollis
★ 7.0
The Painted Lady
The Painted Lady
1912 • as At Ice Cream Festival
★ 5.7
movie
The Wrong Bottle
1913 • as The Father
The Unwelcome Guest
The Unwelcome Guest
1913 • as At Auction (uncredited)
★ 5.0
movie
Pa Says
1913 • as Teddy's Rival
Her Father's Silent Partner
Her Father's Silent Partner
1914
Heredity
Heredity
1912 • as Woodsman
Super Duper Bloopers
Super Duper Bloopers
1986 • as Self
★ 4.0
The Washington Masquerade
The Washington Masquerade
1932 • as Jefferson "Jeff" Keane
★ 6.8
Wildfire
Wildfire
1915 • as John Keefe
movie
A Misunderstood Boy
1913 • as The Father
The End of the Tour
The End of the Tour
1917 • as Byron Bennett
★ 8.0
Paris at Midnight
Paris at Midnight
1926 • as Vautrin
★ 9.0
The River Woman
The River Woman
1928 • as Bill Lefty
★ 9.0
The Bells
The Bells
1926 • as Mathias
★ 6.2
movie
A Chance Deception
1913 • as 2nd Policeman
movie
The Perfidy of Mary
1913 • as Mary's Father
The Wanderer
The Wanderer
1913 • as The Male Lover
★ 5.4
The Thirteenth Hour
The Thirteenth Hour
1927 • as Prof. Leroy
★ 8.0
movie
The Crook and the Girl
1913 • as The Nephew
movie
The Woman Who Did
1925 • as Allan Merrick
★ 9.0
Gold and Glitter
Gold and Glitter
1912 • as The Lover
America
America
1924 • as Capt. Walter Butler
★ 5.9
movie
The Tender Hearted Boy
1913 • as (uncredited)
Near To Earth
Near To Earth
1913 • as Gato
★ 5.0
The Switchtower
The Switchtower
1913 • as First Counterfeiter
★ 5.0
movie
The Work Habit
1913 • as The Father
★ 9.0
The White Caps
The White Caps
1905
★ 5.6
movie
A Fireside Chat with Lionel Barrymore
1938 • as Self
★ 7.0
movie
Screen Actors
1950 • as Self (uncredited)
★ 6.2
The Lucky Lady
The Lucky Lady
1926 • as Count Ferranzo
★ 7.0
The Strong Man's Burden
The Strong Man's Burden
1913 • as John - the Elder Brother
★ 7.0
movie
Woman Against Woman
1914 • as Gilbert Craven
★ 10.0
Men and Women
Men and Women
1914 • as Stephen Rodman / Robert Stevens
The Little Tease
The Little Tease
1913 • as In Bar
★ 5.0
The Flaming Sword
The Flaming Sword
1915 • as Steve
A Yellow Streak
A Yellow Streak
1915 • as Barry Dale
The Mesmerist
The Mesmerist
2003 • as The Innkeeper (archive footage)
★ 8.0
movie
My Hero
1912
movie
All for Science
1913 • as Detective
★ 7.0
movie
The Suffragette Minstrels
1913 • as (unconfirmed)
★ 10.0
The Master Mind
The Master Mind
1920 • as Henry Allen
★ 8.0
Estrellados
Estrellados
1930 • as Self (Guest Appearance)
★ 8.5
movie
Brooding Eyes
1926 • as Slim Jim Carey
★ 10.0
The Quitter
The Quitter
1916 • as Happy Jack Lewis
Body and Soul
Body and Soul
1927 • as Dr. Leyden
★ 7.0
Meddling Women
Meddling Women
1924 • as Edwin Ainsworth / John Wells (duel role)
★ 10.0
Dorian's Divorce
Dorian's Divorce
1916 • as Richard Dorian
★ 7.0
movie
The Bartered Crown
1914 • as The Landlord