The Quiet Barrymore: 7 Surprising Facts About Dolores Ethel Mae Barrymore, John Barrymore's Non-Acting Daughter

In the storied, often tumultuous history of the Barrymore acting dynasty, Dolores Ethel Mae Barrymore stands out as a fascinating anomaly. Born to two of Hollywood’s biggest stars, John Barrymore and Dolores Costello, she was one of the few members of the legendary family to actively reject the spotlight, carving out a private life far from the drama of the stage and screen. As of December 2025, she represents a living link to the "Royal Family of Hollywood," a woman who chose stability over stardom, a choice that makes her story arguably the most unique in the family's history. Her life, though largely out of the public eye, offers a compelling counter-narrative to the Barrymore legacy of fame, addiction, and tragedy. This article explores the known facts of Dolores Ethel Mae Barrymore’s life, her brief but high-profile early marriage, and her unique position as the daughter of "The Great Profile" who sought a quiet existence.

Dolores Ethel Mae Barrymore: Biographical Profile and Family Ties

Dolores Ethel Mae Barrymore, often known by the nickname "Dee-Dee," was born into an environment defined by Hollywood royalty and intense public scrutiny.

• Full Name: Dolores Ethel Mae Barrymore
• Nickname: Dee-Dee
• Date of Birth: April 8, 1930
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Parents:
  • Father: John Barrymore (1882–1942), legendary stage and screen actor, known as "The Great Profile"
  • Mother: Dolores Costello (1903–1979), silent film star known as "The Goddess of the Silent Screen"
• Siblings:
  • Diana Barrymore (Half-Sister, from John Barrymore’s second marriage to Blanche Oelrichs)
  • John Drew Barrymore Jr. (Brother, 1932–2004), actor
• Grandparents:
  • Maurice Costello (Paternal Grandfather), silent film star
  • Mae Costello (Paternal Grandmother), actress
  • Maurice Barrymore (Maternal Grandfather), actor
  • Georgiana Drew (Maternal Grandmother), actress
• Aunts/Uncles: Ethel Barrymore and Lionel Barrymore, both legendary actors
• Niece: Drew Barrymore, actress and producer (Daughter of John Drew Barrymore Jr.)
• Spouse: Thomas Alexander Fairbanks (Writer, married 1950, divorced 1952)
• Children: Hillary Klaradru Fairbanks and Anthony John Barrymore Fairbanks
• Vocation: Non-actor, private citizen (Sought a career outside of acting)
• Current Status: Believed to be alive as of the most recent public record (2019/2025), a nonagenarian.

The Barrymore Who Refused the Spotlight

The most defining aspect of Dolores Ethel Mae Barrymore's life is her deliberate choice to avoid the theatrical career that consumed her parents, siblings, and extended family. The Barrymore name is synonymous with the stage and screen, tracing its roots back to the mid-19th century with her great-grandparents. Her father, John Barrymore, was an icon of the stage, known for his dramatic roles and equally dramatic personal life, marked by alcoholism and multiple marriages. Her mother, Dolores Costello, was a celebrated silent film star. Growing up in this high-pressure, often chaotic environment, Dolores Ethel Mae and her brother, John Drew Barrymore Jr., were constantly in the public eye. Unlike her brother, who eventually succumbed to the family tradition and became an actor, Dolores Ethel Mae resisted the lure and the pressure of the entertainment industry. This decision allowed her to maintain a degree of privacy that was virtually unheard of for a member of this lineage, especially given the intense media coverage of the family’s every move during the 1930s and 40s.

A Brief, High-Profile Marriage and Quick Divorce

Despite her efforts to live a private life, Dolores Ethel Mae's marriage was a major news event due to her famous parentage. In March 1950, at the age of 19, she married Thomas A. Fairbanks, a 24-year-old writer. The union was reported in major publications like *Time Magazine*, highlighting the public interest in the Barrymore family’s next generation. Fairbanks was described as a writer, suggesting a connection to the arts, but not to the acting world that Dolores was trying to escape. The marriage, however, was short-lived. Just over two years later, in June 1952, the couple divorced. This quick dissolution mirrored the turbulent relationships that often plagued the Barrymore family line, particularly her father's three divorces. From this marriage, Dolores had two children: Hillary Klaradru Fairbanks and Anthony John Barrymore Fairbanks. Her children, like her, have largely remained outside the mainstream Hollywood spotlight, continuing her legacy of seeking a quieter existence.

The Enduring Legacy of a Non-Star

Dolores Ethel Mae Barrymore's life is a testament to the fact that not all children of famous dynasties choose to follow the path laid out for them. Her story is not one of box office success or theatrical triumph, but one of personal resilience and the successful pursuit of a normal life.

Contrasting the Barrymore Legacy

The Barrymore name is often associated with the phrase "The Royal Family of Hollywood" and includes some of the most respected actors in American history, such as her great-aunt Ethel Barrymore ("The First Lady of the American Theatre") and her great-uncle Lionel Barrymore. Her own father, John Barrymore, was a figure of both brilliance and tragedy, a man whose personal struggles often overshadowed his immense talent. Her half-sister, Diana Barrymore, also had a tragically short and troubled life in the public eye. In stark contrast, Dolores Ethel Mae, or "Dee-Dee," has managed to navigate the pressures of this lineage by simply choosing a different path. While details of her non-acting career are scarce, her success lies in her ability to disappear into a private life, a feat of incredible discipline given her family’s notoriety. She is the quiet, stable anchor in a family known for its dramatic storms.

The Living Link to Old Hollywood

As one of the last remaining children of John Barrymore, Dolores Ethel Mae Barrymore holds a unique position. Born in 1930, she is a direct link to the Golden Age of Hollywood, a period her parents dominated. Her life bridges the silent film era of her mother, Dolores Costello, with the modern Hollywood of her niece, Drew Barrymore. Her existence, largely shielded from the media frenzy, provides an important, often overlooked perspective on the pressures of inherited fame. She proves that escaping a family tradition, even one as powerful as the Barrymore acting dynasty, is possible, offering a rare story of peace and privacy within a lineage defined by the public spectacle of celebrity. She represents the road not taken by many of her relatives, a quiet strength that is, in its own way, just as compelling as the dramatic performances of her famous ancestors.

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