Three famous actors, Philadelphia-born, were the third generation of this "Royal Family of the American Stage."
Lionel (1878–1954),
Ethel (1879–1959), and
John (1882–1942) performed on stage, screen, radio. Their grandparents, the Drews, managed the
Arch St. Theatre here.
The Barrymore family, and the related Drew family, form a British-American acting dynasty which traces its acting roots to the mid-19th century London stage. After migrating to the United States, members of the family appeared in motion pictures.
The surname Barrymore originated from an actor named
William Barrymore. The Drew family traces to the Irish actor
John Drew Sr.
List of members
William Edward Blythe (1818–1873), married Matilda Chamberlayne (1822–1849); they had seven children
∞ Married to Elaine Barrie née Jacobs. (fourth wife of John Barrymore Sr., divorced)
Except for
Lionel Barrymore,
John Drew Barrymore,
Diana,
Drew, and
John Blyth, none of the other members of John Barrymore's family have yet entered the entertainment industry. Most of the spouses, however, were related to the artistic world, mainly actresses and actors.
Drew family
The family of
Georgiana Emma Drew, mother of Lionel, Ethel, and John, also includes a large number of actors.
Georgiana Emma Drew, ∞ wife of Maurice Barrymore and mother of Lionel, Ethel, and John.
John Drew Jr., 'Uncle Jack' by the Barrymore siblings, married actress Josephine Baker 'Aunt Dodo', daughter of his mother's best friend.
Louise Drew, 'Cousin Bee', ∞ married performer Jack Devereaux; their son John Drew Devereaux (1918–1995) was a
Broadway stage manager
Sidney Drew (paternity debatable), known for the Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Drew comedy act. Married to first wife Gladys Rankin 1890–1914 her death. Wife two was Lucille McVey 1914 to his death in 1919.
Louisa Drew (1851–1889), eldest child of Louisa Lane Drew and John Drew Sr., called 'Aunt Wisa' by the Barrymores, moved to Boston, married manager Charles Mendum (1849–1917), had two or ?three children, one of which was Georgie Mendum
Georgie Drew Mendum (1875–1957), actress, named after her aunt Georgie Drew Barrymore, married and divorced from a comedian named George Parsons, (married 1903, divorced 1912). Sometimes stayed at the Mamaroneck home of her cousin Ethel Barrymore.
Frank Drew (1831–1903), actor, brother of John Drew Sr.