Skip to content
Lionel Barrymore

Personal Information

Known ForActing
GenderMale
Born / DiedApr 28, 1878 (Died at 76)
Zodiac Sign♉Taurus
Place of BirthPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Career Span1920 – 1954
Known Credits218 Titles
Official Links
ActingPopularity Score 1.2

Lionel Barrymore

Also known as:Lionel Herbert BlytheLionel Blytheلیونل بریمور
Total Works

218

215 movies • 3 shows

Avg Rating

6.5 / 10

across rated releases

Box Office

—

worldwide gross

Global Reach

#1

TMDB star index

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.

Signature Roles & Milestones

It's a Wonderful Life
8.3
as Mr. Potter
Key Largo
7.5
Key Largo
1948•movie
as James Temple
You Can't Take It with You
7.5
as Martin Vanderhof
Grand Hotel
7.0
Grand Hotel
1932•movie
as Otto Kringelein

Full Filmography & Credits

Showing 218 titles featuring Lionel Barrymore

It's a Wonderful Life
8.3

as Mr. Potter

Key Largo
7.5
Key Largo
1948•movie

as James Temple

You Can't Take It with You
7.5

as Martin Vanderhof

Grand Hotel
7.0
Grand Hotel
1932•movie

as Otto Kringelein

Duel in the Sun
6.4
Duel in the Sun
1946•movie

as Sen. Jackson McCanles

Captains Courageous
7.4

as Captain Disko Troop

Camille
7.0
Camille
1936•movie

as Monsieur Duval

Mark of the Vampire
6.2

as Professor Zelin

Dinner at Eight
6.8
Dinner at Eight
1933•movie

as Oliver Jordan

The Devil-Doll
6.8
The Devil-Doll
1936•movie

as Paul Lavond

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
7.3

as Chariot Race Spectator (uncredited)

The Musketeers of Pig Alley
6.1

as The Musician's Friend

Test Pilot
6.1
Test Pilot
1938•movie

as Howard B. Drake

Treasure Island
6.6
Treasure Island
1934•movie

as Billy Bones

David Copperfield
6.7
David Copperfield
1935•movie

as Dan Peggotty

That's Entertainment!
7.4

as (archive footage) (uncredited)

Mata Hari
6.2
Mata Hari
1931•movie

as General Serge Shubin

Since You Went Away
6.6

as Clergyman

A Guy Named Joe
6.7
A Guy Named Joe
1944•movie

as The General

A Free Soul
6.2
A Free Soul
1931•movie

as Stephen Ashe

Broken Lullaby
7.4
Broken Lullaby
1932•movie

as Dr. H. Holderlin

That's Entertainment, Part II
7.0

as (archive footage)

West of Zanzibar
6.9
West of Zanzibar
1928•movie

as Crane

Sadie Thompson
6.6
Sadie Thompson
1928•movie

as Alfred Davidson

The Stranger's Return
6.2

as Grandpa Cyrus Tatum Storr

The Little Colonel
6.6
The Little Colonel
1935•movie

as Colonel Lloyd

The Hollywood Revue of 1929
5.7

as Self - Director of 'Romeo and Juliet' (uncredited)

Death's Marathon
5.7
Death's Marathon
1913•movie

as The Financial Backer

Judith of Bethulia
6.1
Judith of Bethulia
1914•movie

as Extra (uncredited)

The New York Hat
5.6
The New York Hat
1912•movie

as Minister

On Borrowed Time
7.6
On Borrowed Time
1939•movie

as Julian Northrup aka Gramps

The Valley of Decision
7.2

as Pat Rafferty

The Stars Look Down
6.5

as Narrator (U.S. release only) (voice)

Lone Star
5.7
Lone Star
1952•movie

as Andrew Jackson

Saratoga
6.5
Saratoga
1937•movie

as Grandpa Clayton

The Temptress
6.7
The Temptress
1926•movie

as Canterac

The Ed Sullivan Show
6.8
1 eps

as Self

Night Flight
5.6
Night Flight
1933•movie

as Robineau

Arsène Lupin
7.0
Arsène Lupin
1932•movie

as Detective Guerchard

The Painted Lady
5.7
The Painted Lady
1912•movie

as At Ice Cream Festival

The Mysterious Island
5.6

as Andre Dakkar

Down to the Sea in Ships
7.2

as Bering Joy

A Family Affair
5.9
A Family Affair
1937•movie

as Judge Hardy

The Bells
6.2
The Bells
1926•movie

as Mathias

Dragon Seed
6.8
Dragon Seed
1944•movie

as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

Ten Cents a Dance
6.7
Ten Cents a Dance
1931•movie

Role: Director

Malaya
6.9
Malaya
1949•movie

as John Manchester

The Girl from Missouri
7.5

as T.R. Paige

Hollywood
8.4
1 eps
Hollywood
1980•series

as Self (archive footage, uncredited)

The Yellow Ticket
5.1
The Yellow Ticket
1931•movie

as Baron Igor Andreeff

The Gorgeous Hussy
5.5
The Gorgeous Hussy
1936•movie

as Andrew Jackson

Rasputin and the Empress
5.5

as Grigori Rasputin

Lady Be Good
5.5
Lady Be Good
1941•movie

as Judge Murdock

The Secret of Dr. Kildare
6.1

as Leonard Gillespie

Dr. Kildare's Strange Case
4.8

as Leonard Gillespie

Guilty Hands
6.0
Guilty Hands
1931•movie

as Richard Grant

Our Mr. Sun
7.3
Our Mr. Sun
1956•movie

as Father Time (voice)

Free and Easy
6.1
Free and Easy
1930•movie

as Bedroom Scene

The Show
6.1
The Show
1927•movie

as The Greek

The House of Darkness
5.0

as The Doctor

A Yank at Oxford
6.8
A Yank at Oxford
1938•movie

as Dan Sheridan

The Battle
4.6
The Battle
1911•movie

as Wagon Driver (uncredited)

The Miser's Heart
6.0
The Miser's Heart
1911•movie

as Jules - the Thief

3 Men in White
6.4
3 Men in White
1944•movie

as Dr. Leonard Gillespie

One Man's Journey
6.7
One Man's Journey
1933•movie

as Eli Watt

America
5.9
America
1924•movie

as Capt. Walter Butler

Complicated Women
6.9
Complicated Women
2003•movie

as Self (archive footage)

The Sea Bat
4.4
The Sea Bat
1930•movie

Role: Director

Navy Blue and Gold
5.7
Navy Blue and Gold
1937•movie

as Captain 'Skinny' Dawes

The Secret Heart
6.5
The Secret Heart
1946•movie

as Dr. Rossiger

The Unholy Night
5.7
The Unholy Night
1929•movie

Role: Director

Tennessee Johnson
6.5
Tennessee Johnson
1942•movie

as Thaddeus Stevens

Young Dr. Kildare
6.7
Young Dr. Kildare
1938•movie

as Dr. Leonard Gillespie

Friends
5.5
Friends
1912•movie

as Grizzley Fallon - Dandy Jack's Friend

The Burglar’s Dilemma
5.3

as The Householder

Madame X
6.3
Madame X
1929•movie

Role: Director

Public Hero Number 1
6.3

as Dr. Josiah Glass

Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day
6.8

as Dr. Leonard Gillespie

The Road to Glory
6.5
The Road to Glory
1936•movie

as Papa La Roche / Pvt. Morin

Should Ladies Behave
4.8

as Augustus Merrick

Calling Dr. Kildare
6.6

as Dr. Leonard Gillespie

Dr. Kildare's Victory
6.2

as Dr. Leonard Gillespie

The Christmas Party
5.4

as Himself (uncredited)

Dr. Kildare Goes Home
6.8

as Dr. Leonard Gillespie

Sweepings
5.8
Sweepings
1933•movie

as Daniel Pardway

Calling Dr. Gillespie
7.0

as Dr. Leonard Gillespie

The White Caps
5.6
The White Caps
1905•movie
Right Cross
7.3
Right Cross
1950•movie

as Sean O'Malley

Dr. Kildare's Crisis
6.7

as Dr. Leonard Gillespie

Ah, Wilderness!
6.8
Ah, Wilderness!
1935•movie

as Nat Miller

The People Vs. Dr. Kildare
7.0

as Dr. Leonard Gillespie

The Return Of Peter Grimm
6.0

as Peter Grimm

The Voice of Bugle Ann
5.5

as Springfield Davis

This Side of Heaven
7.5

as Martin Turner

My Baby
5.5
My Baby
1912•movie

as At table

The Rogue Song
6.5
The Rogue Song
1930•movie

Role: Director

Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case
6.0

as Dr. Leonard Gillespie

Hollywood: The Dream Factory
7.4

as Self (archive footage)

The Wanderer
5.4
The Wanderer
1913•movie

as The Male Lover

So Near, Yet So Far
5.9

as In Club

Between Two Women
6.1
Between Two Women
1945•movie

as Dr. Leonard Gillespie

The Washington Masquerade
6.8

as Jefferson "Jeff" Keane

Looking Forward
6.6
Looking Forward
1933•movie

as Tim Benton

Dark Delusion
6.8
Dark Delusion
1947•movie

as Dr. Leonard Gillespie

The Penalty
7.4
The Penalty
1941•movie

as 'Grandpop' Logan

The Bad Man
5.9
The Bad Man
1941•movie

as Uncle Henry Jones

The Exploits of Elaine
6.0
Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant
6.5

as Dr. Leonard Gillespie

Let Freedom Ring
6.8
Let Freedom Ring
1939•movie

as Thomas Logan

Bannerline
6.8
Bannerline
1951•movie

as Hugo Trimble

The Mesmerist
8.0
The Mesmerist
2003•movie

as The Innkeeper (archive footage)

Fighting Blood
6.3
Fighting Blood
1911•movie
Three Wise Fools
5.7
Three Wise Fools
1946•movie

as Dr. Richard Gaunght

Carolina
6.7
Carolina
1934•movie

as Bob Connelly

The Lucky Lady
7.0
The Lucky Lady
1926•movie

as Count Ferranzo

Main Street to Broadway
7.3

as Self

Fate
5.7
Fate
1913•movie

as Father, Loving Family

The Telephone Girl and the Lady
5.7

as The Desk Sergeant

Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
6.3

as Self (archive footage)

Enemies of Women
6.5
Enemies of Women
1923•movie

as Prince Lubimoff

The Copperhead
7.0
The Copperhead
1920•movie

as Milt Shanks

Redemption
5.7
Redemption
1930•movie

Role: Director

The Sheriff's Baby
5.5
The Sheriff's Baby
1913•movie

as Third Bandit

The Barrier
7.0
The Barrier
1926•movie

as Stark Bennett

Boomerang Bill
4.5
Boomerang Bill
1922•movie

as Boomerang Bill

The Switchtower
5.0
The Switchtower
1913•movie

as First Counterfeiter

Wife Tamers
7.0
Wife Tamers
1926•movie

as Mr. Barry

Super Duper Bloopers
4.0

as Self

The Eternal City
7.5
The Eternal City
1923•movie

as Baron Bonelli

Paris at Midnight
9.0
Paris at Midnight
1926•movie

as Vautrin

Drums of Love
7.5
Drums of Love
1928•movie

as Duke Cathos de Alvia

The Strong Man's Burden
7.0

as John - the Elder Brother

The Face in the Fog
7.0

as Boston Blackie Dawson

Twenty Years After
8.0
Twenty Years After
1944•movie

as (archive footage)

The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Story
5.5

as Himself - Giving Introduction

A Timely Interception
4.8

as Uncle James - The Farmer's Brother

James Stewart: A Wonderful Life
6.5

as Self (archive footage)

The Woman in Black
5.0
The Woman in Black
1914•movie

as Robert Crane

The Thirteenth Hour
8.0

as Prof. Leroy

The Movies March On
5.2

as Self (segment The New York Hat) (archive footage)

The Movie Album
7.5
The Movie Album
1932•movie

as (archive footage)

MGM Parade
7.5
1 eps
MGM Parade
1955•series
His Glorious Night
7.0
His Glorious Night
1929•movie

Role: Director

His Secret
6.5
His Secret
1913•movie

Role: Director

Estrellados
7.0
Estrellados
1930•movie

as Self (Guest Appearance)

The End of the Tour
8.0

as Byron Bennett

Frank Capra Jr. Remembers... You Can't Take It with You

as Self (archive footage)

Yesterday and Today
7.0

as (archive footage)

The Unwelcome Guest
5.0

as At Auction (uncredited)

The Splendid Road
7.0
The Splendid Road
1925•movie

as Dan Clehollis

Road House
10.0
Road House
1928•movie

as Henry Grayson

Screen Snapshots Series 17, No. 12
6.0

as Lionel Barrymore

A Man of Iron
10.0
A Man of Iron
1925•movie

as Philip Durban

The Wrongdoers
7.0
The Wrongdoers
1925•movie

as Daniel Abbott

Strongheart
5.0
Strongheart
1914•movie

as Billy Saunders

Land of Liberty
9.0
Land of Liberty
1939•movie

as (archive footage)

Alias Jimmy Valentine
8.0

as Doyle

The Devil's Garden
7.0
The Devil's Garden
1920•movie

as William Dale

Three Friends
5.0
Three Friends
1913•movie

as Second Friend

Body and Soul
7.0
Body and Soul
1927•movie

as Dr. Leyden

Christopher Bean
8.0
Christopher Bean
1933•movie

as Dr. Milton Haggett

The Lion and the Mouse
9.0

as John Ryder

From the Ends of the Earth
5.0

as Self

Breakdowns of 1949
6.0
Breakdowns of 1949
1949•movie

as Self

The Girl Who Wouldn't Work
9.0

as Gordon Kent

Women Love Diamonds
8.0

as Hugo Harlan

The Little Tease
5.0
The Little Tease
1913•movie

as In Bar

Fifty-Fifty
9.0
Fifty-Fifty
1925•movie

as Frederick Harmon

The Great Adventure
7.0

as Priam Farll

The River Woman
9.0
The River Woman
1928•movie

as Bill Lefty

Jim the Penman
8.0
Jim the Penman
1921•movie

as James Ralston

Children of the Whirlwind
9.0

as Joe Ellison

The Upheaval
7.0
The Upheaval
1916•movie

as Jim Gordon

Dorian's Divorce
7.0
Dorian's Divorce
1916•movie

as Richard Dorian

Decameron Nights
9.0
Decameron Nights
1924•movie

as Saladin

Meddling Women
10.0
Meddling Women
1924•movie

as Edwin Ainsworth / John Wells (duel role)

The Master Mind
8.0
The Master Mind
1920•movie

as Henry Allen

Hooray for Hollywood
8.0

as Self (archive footage)

Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywood
10.0

as Self (archive footage)

Si l'empereur savait ça
10.0

Role: Music

The Romance of Elaine

as Marcus Del Mar / Mr. X

Gold and Glitter
Gold and Glitter
1912•movie

as The Lover

The Informer
The Informer
1912•movie

as Union Soldier

A Cry for Help
A Cry for Help
1912•movie

as The Tramp

Heredity
Heredity
1912•movie

as Woodsman

Brutality
Brutality
1912•movie

as At Wedding

Near To Earth
Near To Earth
1913•movie

as Gato

The House of Discord

as The Husband

Men and Women
Men and Women
1914•movie

as Stephen Rodman / Robert Stevens

The Power of the Press

as Steve Carson

The Seats of the Mighty

as Monsieur Doltaire

Under the Gaslight
Under the Gaslight
1914•movie

as William Byke

A Modern Magdalen
A Modern Magdalen
1915•movie

as Lindsay

The Curious Conduct of Judge Legarde

as Judge Randolph Legarde

The Flaming Sword
The Flaming Sword
1915•movie

as Steve

Dora Thorne
Dora Thorne
1915•movie

as Lord Earle

A Yellow Streak
A Yellow Streak
1915•movie

as Barry Dale

The Brand of Cowardice

as Cyril Hamilton

His Father's Son
His Father's Son
1917•movie

as J. Dabney Barro

The Millionaire's Double

as Bide Bennington

The Chief's Blanket

as The Young Man

The Yaqui Cur
The Yaqui Cur
1913•movie

as The Easterner

Unseeing Eyes
Unseeing Eyes
1923•movie

as Conrad Dean

An Indian's Loyalty

as The Cattle Buyer

Wildfire
Wildfire
1915•movie

as John Keefe

Oil and Water
Oil and Water
1913•movie

as The Idealist's Friend

The Quitter
The Quitter
1916•movie

as Happy Jack Lewis

The Lady and the Mouse

as The Father

The Way of the World

as Grizzley Fallon (Archive Footage)

Brasileiros em Hollywood

as Self (archive footage)

Life's Whirlpool
Life's Whirlpool
1917•movie

Role: Director