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…
Celine Dion puts on impromptu performance backstage at the Grammys amid battle with stiff person syndrome
Celine Dion not only shocked everyone by performing unexpectedly backstage at the Grammy Awards, but she also made a surprise appearance to present Album of the Year.
Dion, 55, has maintained a low profile since disclosing her condition in December 2022 in order to combat stiff person syndrome.
In the video, Sonyaé—who is up for a Grammy—and Dion dance to the beautiful harmony of their voices.
The singer of “My Heart Will Go On” made her first appearance in public since November, when she attended an NHL game with her kids. She also made a surprise appearance at the Grammy Awards.
Although there are rumors that Dion’s voice isn’t getting better in a way that would allow her to perform or record again, it appears that she can still hit the notes that we are all familiar with.
After disclosing her illness, she postponed the remainder of her tour dates, raising doubts about her ability to give a complete performance.
Celine, you have our undying love and support.
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