Born Ethel Mae Blythe in Philadelphia, PA, the daughter of actors Maurice Barrymore (Herbert Blythe) and Georgiana Drew; the sister of actors John and Lionel Barrymore. Convent-educated, she made her stage debut at 15 with her uncle, John Drew, the foremost actor of his era. Played her first starring role on Broadway in 1900, in Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines. True to the tradition of her illustrious family, she soon established herself as "the first lady of the American theater." Miss Barrymore made her film debut in 1914, followed by a variety of movie roles through 1919. Then, except for a remarkable performance as the Czarina in the film RASPUTIN AND THE EMPRESS (1932), in which she appeared with her brothers, it became all theater for her until 1944, when she made a triumphant return to the screen, winning the best supporting actress Academy Award for her performance in NONE BUT THE LONELY HEART (1944). After that, she played many engaging character roles as the last surviving member of the "Fabulous Barrymores." Known for her morbid sense of humor, her huge book collection, and her great love for baseball. A Broadway theater was named after her. Autobiography: Memories (1956).  Supporting Actress 1944: NONE BUT THE LONELY HEART  Nominated for Supporting Actress 1946: THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE  Nominated for Supporting Actress 1947: THE PARADINE CASE  Nominated for Supporting Actress 1949: PINKY 4 nominations, 1 Award