Saturday, April 11, 2020

Blind Item #4 - She Should Have Been A Star - Old Hollywood - Mr. X

She should've been a star, not just because she was a member of THE preeminent acting family of the last century, and spawn of the greatest actor of his generation who had one of the saddest personal and professional declines ever. She's also a relative of the most recent successful member of that acting family. She had a similar but much more tragic fate, which she had a ghostwriter make into a book and eventual film. Our spawn appeared in only a handful of movies and Broadway plays but critics said she had potential before she threw it all away. Like her famous father, she loved to drink which cost her a major Hollywood contract. They were estranged up until the last years of his life, mainly because her mother who had several aliases and occupations. made it impossible for her to see him. His death was probably considered the tipping point which caused her downward spiral. Her stepbrother, whom she was really close to, was openly gay and was subjected when young to a precursor of conversion therapy which sent him off the deep end. Interesting because their mother was bisexual. The brother soon turned to escorting and heavy drug use and died very young of an overdose. His sister felt the burden of guilt for not helping him. Later on, after she could only get work in summer stock and regional theater if she remained sober enough, she turned to speed and became a full blown addict. Several suicide attempts and psych ward stays followed The spawn was married a few times, but one husband she was glad to get rid of. He was a professional tennis player but he had a side gig. He pimped out his wife and several other girls to wealthy men. Eventually he was arrested for running this prostitution ring long after the actress spawn divorced him. Eventually, her downward spiral continued and she never really got sober and killed herself with a drug overdose before the age of 40. 

30 comments:

gfbcpa said...

One of the Barrymores?

Lily Rose said...

The Redgraves, Olivier, Burton all came to mind, but Olivier didn't have a daughter and Burton's daughter is well adjusted and normal.

Mah said...

The family Hemingway?

ilaria said...

I thought about the Barrymores too!

Cold in Ct said...

I was thinking of the Barrymores too

J said...

Hmmm... Hailey Duff is still alive, can't be her...

s.s. said...

Diana Barrymore, how did I know that, pretty sure Enty has done this blind before...sloppy...

IndieRaga said...

One of the Barrymore....latest is Drew.

Rosemary Young said...

+1

loveless said...

Diana Barrymore

T. W. said...

I was thinking the Barrymores as well.

T. W. said...

@IndieRaga

You have good energy & there’s something about you I just like.

IndieRaga said...

Thanks TW....Iam meditating and healing everyday!
Prayers and blessings to you!

IndieRaga said...

My buddy claimed the Kapoor family of Bollywood is the biggest and oldest in the world, I sent him a link of Barrymores !
Just 2 days ago!

chuckmcg3 said...

Diana Barrymore. The book and movie was "Too Much Too Soon" Dorthy Malone played Diana.

squirrelmistress said...

so who was the professional tennis player?

RobertaJoan said...

Diana Barrymore, aunt of Drew.

gauloise said...

John Howard, was the tennis player her second husband

gauloise said...

the movie Too Much Too Soon is on youtube, to pass away the quarantine. Stars Errol Flynn as John Barrymore

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtJU0DI6pZQ

T. W. said...

@IndieRaga

I receive your prayers and blessings. I sure do need them!

I pray a god blesses you all day everyday!

T. W. said...

Oh wow!

T. W. said...

@IndieRaga - I guess I’m showing my age by thinking of the Barrymores. I’m not that old but I sure feel like I am!

T. W. said...

@gauloise

Thank you for providing the link!

Vernon Freedom said...

based on the info it looks like Diana Barrymore to me.

Unknown said...

Margeaux H

Vita said...

Gauloise-- Yes, thanks for the link!

I was thinking Barrymore as the acting family, but didn't even know about Diana, let alone this movie. Sounds like more tragically fascinating Barrymore legacy.

MarxistFreak said...

John Drew Barrymore was never a huge star.

Fred84 said...

I just googled her and OMG, Drew looks so much like her!

gauloise said...

Diana's father was John Barrymore, who was a mega star.

Fuchsia said...

The stepbrother must be Robin May Thomas.

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