1-152-947 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

John (1882-1942) and Lionel (1878-1954) Barrymore, American stage and screen actors. The Barrymore brothers came from a family with an illustrious theatre tradition. Their sister, Ethel was also an actress. John established a reputation as one of the foremost Shakespearean actors before moving into film work, with his interpretation of Hamlet particularly famous. Lionel is best remembered for his cinema roles, in silent motion pictures from 1911 and in talking pictures after 1929. He won an Oscar for best actor for his role in A Free Soul (1931). The brothers starred together in several films, including Dinner at Eight (1933), Grand Hotel and Arsene Lupin (both 1932).