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…
SAD NEWS ABOUT TERRY BRADSHAW!
Football legend Terry Bradshaw recently disclosed that he has been diagnosed with two forms of cancer over the past year. The four-time Super Bowl champion and Hall ofFamer shared this news during an interview, shedding light on his health struggles.
Despite the challenges, Bradshaw remains optimistic and determined to face his health battles head-on.
Fans and well-wishers have rallied around Bradshaw, offering support and encouragement as he navigates this difficult journey
Looking ahead
Despite his cancer experience and an already huge résumé of personal and professional accomplishments, Terry has no intentions of slowing down.
“I still love what I’m doing,” Terry says. “I still love working at FOX. I love doing the football show. I still love horses and that business. I give corporate speeches. I love being on stage. I love entertaining people. I just want to keep on keeping on. So just, no changes.”
As for his medical prognosis, Terry is cancer-free, but he will continue to have regular checkups and maintenance BCG treatments at Yale for his bladder cancer.
Prayers needed for legend
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