Here is the biography of Diana Barrymore:
Diana Barrymore was born on March 3, 1921, to stage and screen legend John Barrymore and actress Blanche Oelrichs, who wrote under the masculine pseudonym Michael Strange. Her parents had just divorced and Blanche had two children from her previous marriage.
Diana's early life was marked by her parents' frequent romantic entanglements and divorces. Her father, who was known for his heavy drinking, rarely spent time with her. By the time Diana was 14, she had already spent several years in boarding school and saw little of her mother.
In 1934, Diana's father took her on a rare visit, where he got drunk and hit on her 17-year-old schoolmate. In response, Diana attended a dance wearing a revealing red satin dress and high heels, marking a turning point in her rebellion against her parents' neglect.
Diana began her acting career in the 1930s, studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Art in New York and vacationing in Europe. She made her Broadway debut in 1940 and went on to appear in several films, including "Eagle Squadron" and "Ladies Courageous."
However, Diana's career was marked by struggles with her parents' legacy and her own personal demons. She was known for her beauty and charm, but her drinking and partying habits often got in the way of her work.
Diana's personal life was also tumultuous. She married three times, to Bramwell Fletcher, John R. Howard, and Robert Wilcox, and was involved in several high-profile relationships. She was arrested multiple times for drunk driving and was known for her wild parties.
In the 1950s, Diana's career began to decline, and she struggled to find work in Hollywood. She turned to television, appearing on a live talk show, but it was canceled due to her intoxication. She went on to perform in vaudeville and summer stock, but her drinking and partying habits continued to hinder her progress.
Diana's final years were marked by poverty, addiction, and personal struggles. She wrote her autobiography, "Too Much, Too Soon," in 1957, which was later adapted into a film. Diana died on January 25, 1960, at the age of 38, due to complications from her addiction and cirrhosis of the liver.
