Genealogy of Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore. Child-star with a scary drug-laced teenage years who turned it all around to become an overwhelming sensation- actress, producer, talk show host. I wanted to start the blog off with Drew Barrymore because, why not? She's not only one of the most amazing actresses of her time, but generations before her achieved the same. 

Drew Blythe Barrymore was born on February 22, 1975 in Culver City, California to actor John Drew Barrymore (1932-2004) and an aspiring actress named Jaid Barrymore (born: Ildiko Jaid Mako). 

Drew's Father- John Drew Barrymore- Actor

John Drew Barrymore was born John Blyth Barrymore Jr. on June 4, 1932 in Los Angeles, California to actors John Barrymore & Dolores Costello.

John got his acting debut when he was 17 years old and was an actor in more than 40 plays, 60 films and 100 radio shows.

John married 4 times and had 4 children. He died at the age of 72 in 2004 with a net worth estimated around $125 million dollars.

Drew's grandparents- John Barrymore & Dolores Costello- both Actors

Drew's Grandfather- John Barrymore- Actor 

John Barrymore was born John Sidney Blyth on February 14 or 15 1882 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. John began his stage acting in 1903 beside his father and sister. In 1925, John focused only on films during the silent film era. Between 1924-1932, he worked on many films with Warner Bros.

John died at the age of 60 in 1942.

Drew's Grandmother- Dolores Costello- Actress 

Dolores Costello was born on September 17, 1903 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to actors Maurice Costello and Mae Altschuk. Dolores and her sister Helene both started their acting careers as children between 1909 and 1915 for the Vintage Film Company alongside their father. 

Dolores was in 30 films as a child and in 34 films as an adult. She died at the age of 75 in 1979. 

Drew's Great-Grandparents: 

Maurice Barrymore & Georgianna Drew- Actors

Maurice Costello & Mae Altschuk- Actors 

Drew's Great-Grandfather- Maurice Barrymore- Actor

Maurice Barrymore was born Herbert Arthur Chamberlayne Blyth on September 21, 1849 in India. His british parents were William Edward Blythe, a surveyor for the British East India Company and Charlotte Matilda Chamberlayne de Tankerville. 

Herbert took the name Maurice Barrymore around 1872 , sparing his father the "shame" of having a vocation such as acting. His nickname among friends was Barry.

Maurice immigrated to the United States in 1874 and made his Broadway debut in 1875 where he met his wife Georgianna Drew. The couple had 3 children, all whom became actors themselves.

Maurice died at the age of 55 in 1905.

Drew's Great-Grandmother- Georgianna Drew- Actress

Georgianna Emma Drew was born on July  11, 1856 in Philadelphia to actor parents John Drew & Louisa Lane Drew. Her siblings John Jr, Sidney, and Louisa were all actors as well.

Georgianna made her acting debut in 1872 in The Ladies Rattle at the age of 16. 

Georgianna died at the young age of 36 in 1893 from Tuberculosis. 

Drew's Great-Grandfather- Maurice Costello- Actor 

Maurice George Costello was born on February 22 1877 in Pittsburgh to Irish immigrants Thomas Costello & Ellen Fitzgerald. 

Maurice made his film debut in 1908 and continued to star in almost 90 films. He married Mae Costello in 1902 (divorced in 1927) and they had 2 daughters- Dolores and Helene, both who became actresses as well. 

Maurice died at 73 in 1950 from heart problems.

Drew's Great-Grandmother- Mae Costello- Actress 

Mae Costello was born Maria Josephine Altschuk on August 13, 1882 in Brooklyn New York to Louis Altschuk and Catherine Callender.

Mae began acting in as a teenager in stock theatre companies throughout the U.S. She began appearing in films in the early 1910, sadly she was billed as Mrs. Costello. 

Mae died of heart disease at the age of 46 in 1929.

Drew's 2x Great-Grandparents: 

JohnDrew & Louisa Lane Drew- Actors 

Drew's 2nd Great-Grandfather- John Drew

John Drew was born Jonathan Henry Drewland on September 3, 1827 in Dublin, Ireland. In 1832, he emigrated to the United States with his family. He began acting in Boston as a child along with his brother Frank (1831-1903). 

John helped manage a theatrical company in New York and in 1846, made his first acting appearance. In 1848, he married Louisa Lane and they had 3 children: Louisa, John Jr and Georgianna, all of whom became actors. 

John died at the young age of 34 in 1862 after he tripped and fell, hitting his head. 

Drew's 2nd Great-Grandmother- Louisa Lane

Louisa Lane was born on January 10, 1820 in London, England to actors Thomas Frederick Lane (1796-1825) & Eliza Trentner (1796-1887). Louisa came to America when she was 6 years old with her mother to pursue acting and she played 8 different roles in one play at the age of 8 years old.

Louisa appeared in several places alongside John Wilkes Booth, who would later assassinate President Abraham Lincoln.

Louisa died at the age of 77 in 1897.