American theater and film actress Diana Blanche Barrymore Blythe died on January 25, 1960 at the age of 38 after a long struggle with her parents and partners.
What happened to Diana Barrymore?
Diana Barrymore, whose full name was Diana Blanche Barrymore Blythe, was an American actress and member of the famous Barrymore family. Born on March 3, 1921, she had a turbulent life marked by personal struggles, including problems with alcohol and relationships.
Tragically, Diana Barrymore died on January 25, 1960 at the age of 38 from an accidental overdose of alcohol and drugs. Her death was ruled as acute barbiturate poisoning. Diana’s life and struggles were described in her autobiography “Too Much, Too Soon”, which was later adapted into a film in 1958, with Dorothy Malone portraying her on screen.
Who was Diana Barrymore?
Diana Barrymore, a famous American theater and film actress, was born as Diana Strange Blythe on March 3, 1921. Her parents were the famous John Barrymore, a matinee idol, and Michael Strange, who was not only a poet but also a playwright and used the pseudonym “Michael Strange”. Diana’s early life was marked by the separation of her parents shortly after her birth, causing her to have limited contact with her father until she was 14.
Growing up, Diana faced a somewhat lonely existence as her mother remarried and she was sent to boarding schools, a total of 16 in her lifetime. However, she had a rebellious nature and a strong desire to pursue an acting career.
At the age of 16, Diana Barrymore began her acting career by enrolling in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. She has embraced her identity as the daughter of the charismatic and unpredictable John Barrymore and the gifted Michael Strange, described by Vin Packer as having a unique sense of style, including wearing Alfred de Musset-style jackets, open-necked shirts, men’s soft fedoras and carrying a man’s cane.
In 1938, Diana attracted considerable attention when columnist Cholly Knickerbocker named her “debutante of the year”. Her career in the spotlight took off when she signed a summer stocking deal at the Ogunquit Playhouse in 1939. The theater’s publicity director recognized an opportunity for national publicity, and in July of that year Diana was on the cover of Life magazine, captivating readers in a bathing suit.
Throughout her life, Diana Barrymore’s personal struggles, including difficult relationships and personal demons, overshadowed her talent and potential. She was married three times, first to Bramwell Fletcher, then to tennis player John Howard and finally to Bob Wilcox.
Tragically, Diana Barrymore’s life took a dark turn and on January 25, 1960, she committed suicide in New York. Her death marked the end of a brilliant but tumultuous life, leaving behind a legacy of a talented actress whose journey was intertwined with personal challenges and public fascination.
How did Diana Barrymore die?
It has been officially determined that the cause of Diana Barrymore’s death was an accidental drug overdose. There were no indications of suicide or murder in her case, and her death was not classified as a homicide by poison. The circumstances of her death point to a tragic accident related to her struggle with substance abuse.
Diana Blanche Barrymore Blythe, known professionally as Diana Barrymore, was an American film and stage actress. Throughout her life, she struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, which led to significant personal challenges and setbacks in her career.
On January 25, 1960, Diana Barrymore was found dead in her apartment in New York at the age of 38. The specific drugs involved in her overdose were not mentioned in the information available until my last update. Her autopsy report likely included details of her physical condition, toxicology results, and any evidence of drugs or substances in her system.
When did Diana Barrymore die?
Diana Barrymore, whose full name was Diana Blanche Barrymore Blythe, died on January 25, 1960. She died at the relatively young age of 38.
Diana Barrymore’s cause of death was attributed to a drug overdose. However, her autopsy failed to provide a definitive cause of death, and found no clear indication of an overdose. This uncertainty has led to some speculation and mystery surrounding the exact circumstances of her death.
Throughout her life, Diana Barrymore faced many personal struggles, including battles with alcohol and drug addiction. She experienced bouts of severe depression and attempted suicide several times. These questions were further complicated by the tragic death of her father, actor John Barrymore, in 1942 from complications caused by alcoholism, and her third husband, actor Robert Wilcox, who died of a heart attack while traveling by train in 1955.
Diana’s life was marked by a series of unfortunate events, and her struggle with addiction and emotional turmoil took a toll on her career and personal life. Her autobiography, “Too Much, Too Soon,” published in 1957, offered insight into her turbulent journey and garnered public attention.
Despite her family’s prominent name in the entertainment industry and her early success on stage and in films, Diana Barrymore’s life was filled with challenges that ultimately led to her untimely death in 1960. The exact circumstances of her death remain uncertain, but her struggles and tragic end continue is remembered as part of the legacy of the famous Barrymore family.
Diana Barrymore Wiki
Diana Blanche Barrymore Blythe, born March 3, 1921, was an acclaimed American actress known for her work in film and on stage. Born in New York to actor John Barrymore and poet Blanche Oelrichs, Diana faced early challenges as her parents divorced when she was just four years old. She was educated in both Paris and New York, but her relationship with her father remained distant.
In her teenage years, Diana decided to pursue acting and enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her association with the famous Barrymore family attracted considerable media attention when she made her Broadway debut in 1939, even gracing the cover of Life magazine.
The following year, she ventured into the world of cinema with a minor role in a Warner Bros. production after signing a contract with Universal Studios in 1942. The studio promoted it as “the most sensational new screen adaptation of 1942,” capitalizing on the Barrymore name.
Unfortunately, Diana’s career was hampered by her struggles with alcohol and drug abuse, which led to negative media coverage and ultimately resulted in the premature end of her Hollywood journey that lasted less than three years with six notable film roles.
In 1942, Diana’s father, John Barrymore, died of cirrhosis of the liver brought on by years of alcoholism, further compounding her personal challenges. Her life became a series of tragedies, marked by severe depression, suicide attempts and extended stays in sanatoriums due to problems related to alcohol and drugs. Her inherited fortune was squandered, leaving her with little after her mother’s death in 1950.
In 1949, she was offered a television talk show, “The Diana Barrymore Show,” which she ultimately did not pursue, missing the opportunity to have the first talk show in television history. She later toured Australia with her third husband, expressing her disdain for the continent upon their return to the United States.
Diana had three failed marriages, the first to actor Bramwell Fletcher, the second to tennis player John Howard, and the last to actor Robert Wilcox, who died of a heart attack while traveling on a train in June 1955. Seeking help for addiction problems, Diana spent for nearly a year in the hospital for treatment in 1955. She later wrote her autobiography, “Too Much, Too Soon,” with the help of ghostwriter Gerold Frank, and the book was promoted during her appearance on Mike Wallace’s TV show, “The Mike Wallace Interview.” “
In 1960, Diana Barrymore passed away at the age of 38. The cause of her death was attributed to a drug overdose, but an autopsy did not determine the exact cause. She was laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York, next to her mother.
Diana Blanche Barrymore Blythe, born March 3, 1921, was an acclaimed American actress known for her work in film and on stage. Born in New York to actor John Barrymore and poet Blanche Oelrichs, Diana faced early challenges as her parents divorced when she was just four years old. She was educated in both Paris and New York, but her relationship with her father remained distant.
In her teenage years, Diana decided to pursue acting and enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her association with the famous Barrymore family attracted considerable media attention when she made her Broadway debut in 1939, even gracing the cover of Life magazine.
The following year, she ventured into the world of cinema with a minor role in a Warner Bros. production after signing a contract with Universal Studios in 1942. The studio promoted it as “the most sensational new screen adaptation of 1942,” capitalizing on the Barrymore name.
Unfortunately, Diana’s career was hampered by her struggles with alcohol and drug abuse, which led to negative media coverage and ultimately resulted in the premature end of her Hollywood journey that lasted less than three years with six notable film roles.
In 1942, Diana’s father, John Barrymore, died of cirrhosis of the liver brought on by years of alcoholism, further compounding her personal challenges. Her life became a series of tragedies, marked by severe depression, suicide attempts and extended stays in sanatoriums due to problems related to alcohol and drugs. Her inherited fortune was squandered, leaving her with little after her mother’s death in 1950.
In 1949, she was offered a television talk show, “The Diana Barrymore Show,” which she ultimately did not pursue, missing the opportunity to have the first talk show in television history. She later toured Australia with her third husband, expressing her disdain for the continent upon their return to the United States.
Diana had three failed marriages, the first to actor Bramwell Fletcher, the second to tennis player John Howard, and the last to actor Robert Wilcox, who died of a heart attack while traveling on a train in June 1955. Seeking help for addiction problems, Diana spent for nearly a year in the hospital for treatment in 1955. She later wrote her autobiography, “Too Much, Too Soon,” with the help of ghostwriter Gerold Frank, and the book was promoted during her appearance on Mike Wallace’s TV show, “The Mike Wallace Interview.” “
In 1960, Diana Barrymore passed away at the age of 38. The cause of her death was attributed to a drug overdose, but an autopsy did not determine the exact cause. She was laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York, next to her mother.
Disclaimer: The above information is for general information purposes only. All information on the website is provided in good faith, but we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the website.
Categories: General
Source: HIS Education