America's Oldest · Founded 1808

Historic Photo Gallery: 1850 to 1899

1898

Lionel Barrymore, eldest son of famous actors Maurice Barrymore and Georgianna Drew, and brother of Ethel and John, made his Walnut debut in February 1898. He appeared in Cumberland '61, a Civil War drama. Lionel would go on to a very successful stage and screen career. An Academy-Award winning actor and an Academy-Award nominated director, his best known role is that of Mr. Potter in the Christmas favorite It's a Wonderful Life. (Photograph courtesy of the Theatre Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia.)

« back next »


In This Chapter

« previous chapter: Beginnings to 1849   next chapter: 1900 to 1920 »