John Barrymore came from a long line of theater actors. He himself first appeared on stage alongside his father in 1900, and in 1903 officially began his career, starring in the likes of Justice (1916) and Richard III (1920). His greatest role was his 1992 appearance in Hamlet, for which he was dubbed “the greatest living American tragedian.”
Barrymore also starred in a slew of silent films, most notably Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920), Sherlock Holmes (1922) and Beau Brummel (1924). He later made the transition to sound movies, starring in the likes of Grand Hotel (1932) and Midnight (1939).
On May 29, 1942, Barrymore died at the age of 60 from pneumonia and cirrhosis. What happened next has been the subject of many rumors. It’s alleged his friends, Errol Flynn, W.C. Fields and Sadakichi Hartmann snuck into the morgue where his body was being held, propped him up against a poker table and allowed him to experience one final celebration.
As it turns out, these rumors are true! In an August 2020 episode of the popular YouTube series Hot Ones, the acting legend’s granddaughter, Drew Barrymore, revealed his corpse had actually been stolen.
“Not only yes, but there have been cinematic interpretations of it,” she exclaimed. Those interpretations include S.O.B., starring Julie Andrews, and allegedly the 1989 comedy Weekend at Bernie’s, in which two friends pretend their deceased boss is alive.
Barrymore added that she wants the same to happen to her. “I will say this, I hope my friends do the same for me. That is the kind of spirit I can get behind. Just prop the old bag up, let’s have a few rounds.
“I think death comes with so much morose sadness and I understand that, but if it’s okay, just for me, if everybody could be really happy and celebratory and have a party, that would be my preference.”
Vintage Hollywood certainly was a different era…
Everyone is wondering what he saw in her. This lady is married to one of the most beautiful actors in the world
Hollywood clichés about romances involving younger co-stars or older men dating considerably younger women are defied by Pierce Brosnan’s love story. Following his 1991 widower status, Brosnan fell in love with American journalist Keely Shaye Smith. The two have been blissfully married for 20 years and co-parent their children.
Keely’s weight and appearance have drawn criticism from some, despite their close bond. In reaction, Brosnan vehemently defended his spouse, stressing that he values every facet of her existence and accepts her for who she is, regardless of how she looks.
In Hollywood, where older men typically date much younger women, Brosnan defies the convention by choosing to stay faithful to the same woman. This demonstrates the exaggerated demands made on women’s appearance, implying that they should never “let themselves go” and constantly surpass males.
His devotion to his spouse serves as a role model for love that transcends appearances, highlighting the importance of accepting and valuing a person for who they really are. The bond between Pierce Brosnan and his partner is proof of the sincerity and profundity of real love.
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