John Blyth Barrymore
American actor

John Blyth Barrymore

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Quick facts
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American actor
Gender:
Male
Birth:
15 May 1954(Beverly Hills)
Family:
Mother:
Cara Williams
Father:
John Drew Barrymore
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Biography

Introduction

John Blyth Barrymore III (born May 15, 1954) is an American former film and television actor.
He is known for his role as Zeke in the 1970s television series Kung Fu, which was his first role on television.

Biography

John Blyth Barrymore III was born to John Drew Barrymore and Cara Williams. As such, he is from the famous Barrymore family: He is the half-brother of American actress Drew Barrymore, as well as the grandnephew of Ethel Barrymore and Lionel Barrymore. He is of partial Irish descent through his great-grandfather, actor Maurice Costello. John has stated that he does not remember if he has met his aunt Diana Barrymore, also an actress.

Norman Abbott, the director of the television show The Munsters, requested that John play the role of Eddie Munster in the show. John's mother did not allow him to take the role, and in later years John thanked his mother for not allowing him to become a child actor.

Like his father, John has had a sporadic career in film and television, mainly appearing in shlock horror movies and comedies. John found himself homeless in 2012, though he was able to get a food stamps card. While on skid row, he took to wearing a shirt printed with "I'm Drew Barrymore's brother".

After John's sister Jessica Barrymore was found dead in her vehicle in 2014, he publicly criticized half-sister Drew for not being receptive to forming a relationship with either him or Jessica.

Career

After Kung Fu, Barrymore's third role was that of Idiot #2 in Baby Blue Marine with Richard Gere.

Year Title Role Notes
1967 Me and Benjy Petie
1975 Kung Fu Zeke
1976 Baby Blue Marine Idiot #2
1978 The One Man Jury Policeman
1978 Feedback Hoodlum
1979 Nocturna Punk vampire
1980 Lou Grant Harold Episode: "Cameras"
1981 Americana John/Jack
1981 Smokey Bites the Dust Harold
1981 Full Moon High Student
1982 Lou Grant Marc Pauley Episode: "Dogs"
1982 Trick or Treats Mad Doctor
1984 Hard to Hold Recording Engineer
1990 Cry-Baby N/A Uncredited additional voice
1990 Crazy People Additional voices