John Drew Barrymore, born John Blyth Barrymore Jr., carved his own path within the legendary Barrymore acting dynasty. Son of the iconic John Barrymore and Dolores Costello, and part of a family that included acting royalty Lionel and Ethel Barrymore, his life was steeped in Hollywood history from the very beginning. While he may be best known today as the father of actress Drew Barrymore, John Drew Barrymore’s story is a complex narrative of early promise, personal struggles, and a career marked by both fleeting successes and significant challenges.
Born into the spotlight in Los Angeles, California in 1932, John Drew Barrymore’s Irish heritage and famous lineage immediately placed him in the public eye. His childhood was disrupted by the divorce of his parents when he was just three years old. He recounted a distant relationship with his famous father, claiming to have only met him once. Despite this fragmented family life, the allure of acting seemed to run in his blood. During World War II, in a youthful attempt at patriotism, Barrymore and his cousin Dirk Drew Davenport tried to enlist in the United States Navy. Their youthful enthusiasm was cut short when the military realized their actual age, highlighting a restless spirit from a young age. By 17, Barrymore ran away from home, a move that foreshadowed a life lived on his own terms, and signed a film contract, hinting at an early ambition to follow in his family’s footsteps.
However, a consistent and major film career proved elusive for John Drew Barrymore Actor. Despite securing leading roles early on, he developed a pattern of abandoning projects, hindering his professional momentum. In 1958, he legally changed his middle name to Drew, a subtle shift from his birth name, although he had already been credited as Blyth in earlier works. This period coincided with a brief uptick in his career, finding opportunities in Italian cinema where he landed several leading roles. Yet, even these promising ventures were overshadowed by his increasingly erratic social behavior, which became a significant obstacle to sustained success.
The 1960s marked a turbulent period for John Drew Barrymore. His personal demons led to repeated incarcerations for offenses ranging from drug use and public intoxication to spousal abuse. These legal troubles further derailed any attempts at career stability and cemented a reputation for unreliability within the industry. Despite these challenges, glimpses of his acting talent would occasionally surface.
In 1966, Barrymore was offered a notable guest role in the iconic science fiction series Star Trek, playing Lazarus in the episode “The Alternative Factor.” This could have been a significant opportunity to revitalize his career. However, in a move that became emblematic of his self-destructive tendencies, he failed to appear for filming. This resulted in a six-month suspension from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), further isolating him from mainstream acting opportunities. He did manage to secure a role as Stacey Daggart in the NBC series The Road West (1966-1967), starring Barry Sullivan, indicating sporadic work despite his ongoing personal struggles.
John Drew Barrymore’s life and career present a poignant study of talent intertwined with personal turmoil. While he may not have achieved the same level of sustained fame as other members of the Barrymore family, his story remains a compelling chapter in Hollywood history. He is remembered not only for his lineage and his brief moments in the spotlight but also as a father whose own experiences shaped, in part, the life and career of his famous daughter, Drew Barrymore.
