BeamFlip Logo
User
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

1.1

movie

Known For

It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life

1946

as Mr. Potter
Camille

Camille

1936

as Monsieur Duval
You Can't Take It with You

You Can't Take It with You

1938

as Martin Vanderhof
Grand Hotel

Grand Hotel

1932

as Otto Kringelein
Duel in the Sun

Duel in the Sun

1946

as Sen. Jackson McCanles
Key Largo

Key Largo

1948

as James Temple
Captains Courageous

Captains Courageous

1937

as Captain Disko Troop
Dinner at Eight

Dinner at Eight

1933

as Oliver Jordan
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

1925

as Chariot Race Spectator (uncredited)
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
Camille
Camille
1936 • as Monsieur Duval
★ 7.0
You Can't Take It with You
You Can't Take It with You
1938 • as Martin Vanderhof
★ 7.5
Grand Hotel
Grand Hotel
1932 • as Otto Kringelein
★ 7.0
Treasure Island
Treasure Island
1934 • as Billy Bones
★ 6.5
Test Pilot
Test Pilot
1938 • as Howard B. Drake
★ 6.6
Heredity
Heredity
1912 • as Woodsman
Duel in the Sun
Duel in the Sun
1946 • as Sen. Jackson McCanles
★ 6.4
Fate
Fate
1913 • as Father, Loving Family
★ 5.7
movie
Brooding Eyes
1926 • as Slim Jim Carey
★ 10.0
Key Largo
Key Largo
1948 • as James Temple
★ 7.5
Complicated Women
Complicated Women
2003 • as Self (archive footage)
★ 6.9
Christopher Bean
Christopher Bean
1933 • as Dr. Milton Haggett
★ 8.0
Mata Hari
Mata Hari
1931 • as General Serge Shubin
★ 6.2
Looking Forward
Looking Forward
1933 • as Tim Benton
★ 6.6
Arsène Lupin
Arsène Lupin
1932 • as Detective Guerchard
★ 7.0
Tennessee Johnson
Tennessee Johnson
1942 • as Thaddeus Stevens
★ 6.4
Sadie Thompson
Sadie Thompson
1928 • as Alfred Davidson
★ 6.6
Lone Star
Lone Star
1952 • as Andrew Jackson
★ 5.7
Since You Went Away
Since You Went Away
1944 • as Clergyman
★ 6.6
The Temptress
The Temptress
1926 • as Canterac
★ 6.7
Dark Delusion
Dark Delusion
1947 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.8
Strongheart
Strongheart
1914 • as Billy Saunders
★ 5.0
Captains Courageous
Captains Courageous
1937 • as Captain Disko Troop
★ 7.4
Right Cross
Right Cross
1950 • as Sean O'Malley
★ 7.3
Dora Thorne
Dora Thorne
1915 • as Lord Earle
movie
The Well
1913 • as The Farmer
David Copperfield
David Copperfield
1935 • as Dan Peggotty
★ 6.7
My Baby
My Baby
1912 • as At table
★ 5.5
Unseeing Eyes
Unseeing Eyes
1923 • as Conrad Dean
movie
My Hero
1912
Dinner at Eight
Dinner at Eight
1933 • as Oliver Jordan
★ 6.8
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
1925 • as Chariot Race Spectator (uncredited)
★ 7.3
movie
Film Fun
1955 • as (archive footage)
★ 5.5
The Valley of Decision
The Valley of Decision
1945 • as Pat Rafferty
★ 7.4
movie
Just Gold
1913 • as The Stay-at-Home Brother
Ah, Wilderness!
Ah, Wilderness!
1935 • as Nat Miller
★ 6.6
Sweepings
Sweepings
1933 • as Daniel Pardway
★ 5.8
That's Entertainment, Part II
That's Entertainment, Part II
1976 • as (archive footage)
★ 7.0
James Stewart: A Wonderful Life
James Stewart: A Wonderful Life
1987 • as Self (archive footage)
★ 6.5
A Guy Named Joe
A Guy Named Joe
1944 • as The General
★ 6.7
movie
Classmates
1914 • as Bubby Dumble
The Hollywood Revue of 1929
The Hollywood Revue of 1929
1929 • as Self - Director of 'Romeo and Juliet' (uncredited)
★ 5.9
Judith of Bethulia
Judith of Bethulia
1914 • as Extra (uncredited)
★ 6.1
That's Entertainment!
That's Entertainment!
1974 • as (archive footage) (uncredited)
★ 7.4
Mark of the Vampire
Mark of the Vampire
1935 • as Professor Zelin
★ 6.2
Saratoga
Saratoga
1937 • as Grandpa Clayton
★ 6.5
A Free Soul
A Free Soul
1931 • as Stephen Ashe
★ 6.1
Malaya
Malaya
1949 • as John Manchester
★ 6.9
The Yellow Ticket
The Yellow Ticket
1931 • as Baron Igor Andreeff
★ 5.1
The Little Colonel
The Little Colonel
1935 • as Colonel Lloyd
★ 6.6
Dragon Seed
Dragon Seed
1944 • as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
★ 6.7
Night Flight
Night Flight
1933 • as Robineau
★ 5.8
The Last Will and Testament of Tom Smith
The Last Will and Testament of Tom Smith
1943 • as Gramps
★ 8.5
A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound
A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound
1940 • as Self
★ 6.9
One Man's Journey
One Man's Journey
1933 • as Eli Watt
★ 6.7
3 Men in White
3 Men in White
1944 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.4
Hollywood: The Dream Factory
Hollywood: The Dream Factory
1972 • as Self (archive footage)
★ 7.3
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
1940 • as Self (archive footage)
★ 6.5
The Devil-Doll
The Devil-Doll
1936 • as Paul Lavond
★ 6.8
So Near, Yet So Far
So Near, Yet So Far
1912 • as In Club
★ 5.9
The Secret Heart
The Secret Heart
1946 • as Dr. Rossiger
★ 6.5
Three Friends
Three Friends
1913 • as Second Friend
★ 5.0
Breakdowns of 1949
Breakdowns of 1949
1949 • as Self
★ 6.0
The Road to Glory
The Road to Glory
1936 • as Papa La Roche / Pvt. Morin
★ 6.6
Rasputin and the Empress
Rasputin and the Empress
1932 • as Grigori Rasputin
★ 5.5
The Penalty
The Penalty
1941 • as 'Grandpop' Logan
★ 7.4
Navy Blue and Gold
Navy Blue and Gold
1937 • as Captain 'Skinny' Dawes
★ 5.8
Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case
Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case
1943 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.0
A Yank at Oxford
A Yank at Oxford
1938 • as Dan Sheridan
★ 6.7
The Wrongdoers
The Wrongdoers
1925 • as Daniel Abbott
★ 7.0
Main Street to Broadway
Main Street to Broadway
1953 • as Self
★ 7.3
America
America
1924 • as Capt. Walter Butler
★ 5.9
Broken Lullaby
Broken Lullaby
1932 • as Dr. H. Holderlin
★ 7.5
Twenty Years After
Twenty Years After
1944 • as (archive footage)
★ 8.0
Women Love Diamonds
Women Love Diamonds
1927 • as Hugo Harlan
★ 8.0
A Timely Interception
A Timely Interception
1913 • as Uncle James - The Farmer's Brother
★ 4.8
From the Ends of the Earth
From the Ends of the Earth
1939 • as Self
Three Wise Fools
Three Wise Fools
1946 • as Dr. Richard Gaunght
★ 5.7
West of Zanzibar
West of Zanzibar
1928 • as Crane
★ 6.9
Dr. Kildare's Crisis
Dr. Kildare's Crisis
1940 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.7
The Show
The Show
1927 • as The Greek
★ 6.1
Land of Liberty
Land of Liberty
1939 • as (archive footage)
★ 9.0
The Burglar’s Dilemma
The Burglar’s Dilemma
1912 • as The Householder
★ 5.3
Let Freedom Ring
Let Freedom Ring
1939 • as Thomas Logan
★ 6.8
Wildfire
Wildfire
1915 • as John Keefe
Brasileiros em Hollywood
Brasileiros em Hollywood
1970 • as Self (archive footage)
Carolina
Carolina
1934 • as Bob Connelly
★ 6.7
Free and Easy
Free and Easy
1930 • as Bedroom Scene
★ 6.2
The Washington Masquerade
The Washington Masquerade
1932 • as Jefferson "Jeff" Keane
★ 6.8
The Bells
The Bells
1926 • as Mathias
★ 6.2
The Lady and the Mouse
The Lady and the Mouse
1913 • as The Father
Hooray for Hollywood
Hooray for Hollywood
1976 • as Self (archive footage)
★ 8.0
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
1940 • as Self
★ 6.0
The Secret of Dr. Kildare
The Secret of Dr. Kildare
1939 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.1
Public Hero Number 1
Public Hero Number 1
1935 • as Dr. Josiah Glass
★ 6.3
Dr. Kildare Goes Home
Dr. Kildare Goes Home
1940 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.8
Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day
Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day
1941 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.8
Near To Earth
Near To Earth
1913 • as Gato
Super Duper Bloopers
Super Duper Bloopers
1986 • as Self
★ 6.0
Estrellados
Estrellados
1930 • as Self (Guest Appearance)
★ 7.0
Brutality
Brutality
1912 • as At Wedding
The Girl from Missouri
The Girl from Missouri
1934 • as T.R. Paige
★ 7.4
movie
Pa Says
1913 • as Teddy's Rival
Guilty Hands
Guilty Hands
1931 • as Richard Grant
★ 5.9
Our Mr. Sun
Our Mr. Sun
1956 • as Father Time (voice)
★ 7.6
National Red Cross Pageant
National Red Cross Pageant
1917
★ 8.0
Lady Be Good
Lady Be Good
1941 • as Judge Murdock
★ 5.5
movie
The God Within
1912 • as The Woman of the Camp's Lover
Calling Dr. Gillespie
Calling Dr. Gillespie
1942 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 7.0
The Lion and the Mouse
The Lion and the Mouse
1928 • as John Ryder
★ 9.0
The Unwelcome Guest
The Unwelcome Guest
1913 • as At Auction (uncredited)
★ 5.0
Bannerline
Bannerline
1951 • as Hugo Trimble
★ 6.8
A Cry for Help
A Cry for Help
1912 • as The Tramp
Dr. Kildare's Strange Case
Dr. Kildare's Strange Case
1940 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 4.8
movie
Checking Out: Grand Hotel
2004 • as Self / Various roles (archive footage)
★ 7.0
Gold and Glitter
Gold and Glitter
1912 • as The Lover
The Barrier
The Barrier
1926 • as Stark Bennett
★ 7.0
The Bad Man
The Bad Man
1941 • as Uncle Henry Jones
★ 5.9
Young Dr. Kildare
Young Dr. Kildare
1938 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.7
The Stranger's Return
The Stranger's Return
1933 • as Grandpa Cyrus Tatum Storr
★ 6.2
Down to the Sea in Ships
Down to the Sea in Ships
1949 • as Bering Joy
★ 7.2
On Borrowed Time
On Borrowed Time
1939 • as Julian Northrup aka Gramps
★ 7.6
The Copperhead
The Copperhead
1920 • as Milt Shanks
★ 7.0
The Gorgeous Hussy
The Gorgeous Hussy
1936 • as Andrew Jackson
★ 5.5
movie
An Adventure in the Autumn Woods
1913 • as The Father
The Musketeers of Pig Alley
The Musketeers of Pig Alley
1912 • as The Musician's Friend
★ 6.2
The Stars Look Down
The Stars Look Down
1940 • as Narrator (U.S. release only) (voice)
★ 6.6
Jim the Penman
Jim the Penman
1921 • as James Ralston
★ 8.0
movie
Screen Actors
1950 • as Self (uncredited)
★ 6.3
Men and Women
Men and Women
1914 • as Stephen Rodman / Robert Stevens
Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant
Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant
1942 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.5
Between Two Women
Between Two Women
1945 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.1
The Christmas Party
The Christmas Party
1931 • as Himself (uncredited)
★ 5.3
A Family Affair
A Family Affair
1937 • as Judge Hardy
★ 5.9
movie
The Perfidy of Mary
1913 • as Mary's Father
movie
All for Science
1913 • as Detective
★ 7.0
movie
I Was Meant for You
1913 • as Lavina's Father
★ 10.0
The House of Darkness
The House of Darkness
1913 • as The Doctor
★ 5.0
This Side of Heaven
This Side of Heaven
1934 • as Martin Turner
★ 7.5
movie
The Crook and the Girl
1913 • as The Nephew
Yesterday and Today
Yesterday and Today
1953 • as (archive footage)
★ 7.0
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)
Meddling Women
Meddling Women
1924 • as Edwin Ainsworth / John Wells (duel role)
★ 10.0
movie
A Chance Deception
1913 • as 2nd Policeman
The Return Of Peter Grimm
The Return Of Peter Grimm
1935 • as Peter Grimm
★ 6.0
Enemies of Women
Enemies of Women
1923 • as Prince Lubimoff
★ 6.5
movie
The Wrong Bottle
1913 • as The Father
Paris at Midnight
Paris at Midnight
1926 • as Vautrin
★ 9.0
The Battle
The Battle
1911 • as Wagon Driver (uncredited)
★ 4.8
The Woman in Black
The Woman in Black
1914 • as Robert Crane
★ 5.0
The Informer
The Informer
1912 • as Union Soldier
Calling Dr. Kildare
Calling Dr. Kildare
1939 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.6
movie
The Mirror
1913 • as Daisy's Father
The New York Hat
The New York Hat
1912 • as Minister
★ 5.6
Death's Marathon
Death's Marathon
1913 • as The Financial Backer
★ 5.7
Road House
Road House
1928 • as Henry Grayson
★ 10.0
The People Vs. Dr. Kildare
The People Vs. Dr. Kildare
1941 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 7.0
The Voice of Bugle Ann
The Voice of Bugle Ann
1936 • as Springfield Davis
★ 5.5
The Mesmerist
The Mesmerist
2003 • as The Innkeeper (archive footage)
★ 8.0
The Little Tease
The Little Tease
1913 • as In Bar
★ 5.0
The Wanderer
The Wanderer
1913 • as The Male Lover
★ 5.4
The Mysterious Island
The Mysterious Island
1929 • as Andre Dakkar
★ 5.5
The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Story
The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Story
1951 • as Himself - Giving Introduction
★ 5.5
Fifty-Fifty
Fifty-Fifty
1925 • as Frederick Harmon
★ 9.0
The Miser's Heart
The Miser's Heart
1911 • as Jules - the Thief
★ 6.0
The Eternal City
The Eternal City
1923 • as Baron Bonelli
★ 7.5
The Lucky Lady
The Lucky Lady
1926 • as Count Ferranzo
★ 7.0
movie
Almost a Wild Man
1913 • as In Audience (uncredited)
The House of Discord
The House of Discord
1913 • as The Husband
The Exploits of Elaine
The Exploits of Elaine
1914
★ 6.0
The Face in the Fog
The Face in the Fog
1922 • as Boston Blackie Dawson
★ 7.0
movie
In Diplomatic Circles
1913 • as The Japanese Ambassador
★ 10.0
The River Woman
The River Woman
1928 • as Bill Lefty
★ 9.0
The Romance of Elaine
The Romance of Elaine
1915 • as Marcus Del Mar / Mr. X
Children of the Whirlwind
Children of the Whirlwind
1925 • as Joe Ellison
★ 9.0
movie
The Suffragette Minstrels
1913 • as (unconfirmed)
★ 10.0
Fighting Blood
Fighting Blood
1911
★ 6.3
The Painted Lady
The Painted Lady
1912 • as At Ice Cream Festival
★ 5.5
The Brand of Cowardice
The Brand of Cowardice
1916 • as Cyril Hamilton
Body and Soul
Body and Soul
1927 • as Dr. Leyden
★ 7.0
A Man of Iron
A Man of Iron
1925 • as Philip Durban
★ 10.0
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 Quitter
The Quitter
1916 • as Happy Jack Lewis
The Strong Man's Burden
The Strong Man's Burden
1913 • as John - the Elder Brother
★ 7.0
movie
The Enemy's Baby
1913 • as Postmaster Ben Brown
The Upheaval
The Upheaval
1916 • as Jim Gordon
★ 7.0
Dr. Kildare's Victory
Dr. Kildare's Victory
1942 • as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
★ 6.2
Drums of Love
Drums of Love
1928 • as Duke Cathos de Alvia
★ 7.5
Screen Snapshots Series 17, No. 12
Screen Snapshots Series 17, No. 12
1938 • as Lionel Barrymore
★ 6.0
movie
The Stolen Treaty
1913 • as The Japanese Diplomat
movie
A Gamble with Death
1913 • as Jim Benton, the Bartender
★ 10.0
The Splendid Road
The Splendid Road
1925 • as Dan Clehollis
★ 7.0
The Switchtower
The Switchtower
1913 • as First Counterfeiter
★ 5.0
Friends
Friends
1912 • as Grizzley Fallon - Dandy Jack's Friend
★ 5.5
D.W. Griffith - Years of Discovery 1909-1913
D.W. Griffith - Years of Discovery 1909-1913
2002
movie
Love in an Apartment Hotel
1913 • as In Hotel Lobby
The End of the Tour
The End of the Tour
1917 • as Byron Bennett
★ 8.0
The Chief's Blanket
The Chief's Blanket
1912 • as The Young Man
Wife Tamers
Wife Tamers
1926 • as Mr. Barry
★ 7.0
movie
The Ranchero's Revenge
1913 • as The Ranchero
Boomerang Bill
Boomerang Bill
1922 • as Boomerang Bill
★ 4.5
The Telephone Girl and the Lady
The Telephone Girl and the Lady
1913 • as The Desk Sergeant
★ 5.7
The Girl Who Wouldn't Work
The Girl Who Wouldn't Work
1925 • as Gordon Kent
★ 9.0
Alias Jimmy Valentine
Alias Jimmy Valentine
1928 • as Doyle
★ 8.0
movie
The Vengeance of Galora
1913
movie
The Tender Hearted Boy
1913 • as (uncredited)
The White Caps
The White Caps
1905
★ 5.6
The Master Mind
The Master Mind
1920 • as Henry Allen
★ 8.0
Oil and Water
Oil and Water
1913 • as The Idealist's Friend
The Millionaire's Double
The Millionaire's Double
1917 • as Bide Bennington
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
Her Father's Silent Partner
Her Father's Silent Partner
1914
movie
The Work Habit
1913 • as The Father
★ 9.0
The Great Adventure
The Great Adventure
1921 • as Priam Farll
★ 7.0
Decameron Nights
Decameron Nights
1924 • as Saladin
★ 9.0
movie
Red Hicks Defies the World
1913 • as The Referee
★ 10.0
The Way of the World
The Way of the World
1947 • as Grizzley Fallon (Archive Footage)
A Yellow Streak
A Yellow Streak
1915 • as Barry Dale
Should Ladies Behave
Should Ladies Behave
1933 • as Augustus Merrick
★ 4.8
The Sheriff's Baby
The Sheriff's Baby
1913 • as Third Bandit
★ 5.0
movie
A Fireside Chat with Lionel Barrymore
1938 • as Self
★ 7.0
The Yaqui Cur
The Yaqui Cur
1913 • as The Easterner
The Power of the Press
The Power of the Press
1914 • as Steve Carson
His Father's Son
His Father's Son
1917 • as J. Dabney Barro
An Indian's Loyalty
An Indian's Loyalty
1913 • as The Cattle Buyer
movie
The One She Loved
1912 • as The Neighbor
movie
I Am the Man
1924 • as James McQuade
★ 7.0
movie
The Span of Life
1914 • as Richard Blunt
movie
The Woman Who Did
1925 • as Allan Merrick
★ 9.0
Dorian's Divorce
Dorian's Divorce
1916 • as Richard Dorian
★ 7.0
The Seats of the Mighty
The Seats of the Mighty
1914 • as Monsieur Doltaire
Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywood
Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywood
2005 • as Self (archive footage)
★ 10.0
The Devil's Garden
The Devil's Garden
1920 • as William Dale
★ 7.0
The Flaming Sword
The Flaming Sword
1915 • as Steve
movie
The Bartered Crown
1914 • as The Landlord
movie
A Misunderstood Boy
1913 • as The Father
The Thirteenth Hour
The Thirteenth Hour
1927 • as Prof. Leroy
★ 8.0
A Modern Magdalen
A Modern Magdalen
1915 • as Lindsay
movie
So Runs the Way
1913
The Movies March On
The Movies March On
1939 • as Self (segment The New York Hat) (archive footage)
★ 5.3
movie
The Cracksman's Gratitude
1914
The Movie Album
The Movie Album
1932 • as (archive footage)
★ 9.0
The Curious Conduct of Judge Legarde
The Curious Conduct of Judge Legarde
1915 • as Judge Randolph Legarde
movie
Woman Against Woman
1914 • as Gilbert Craven
★ 10.0