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Noshing With Terry Chester Shulman – August 27, 2026
Author, Barrymore: The Spectacular, Tumultuous Life of America’s Prince of Players
The Barrymore name is synonymous with Hollywood royalty—but long before Drew Barrymore became a household name, there was John Barrymore, one of the most brilliant and complicated actors in American theater and film history. In this episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” I talk with Terry Chester Shulman, author of the acclaimed John Barrymore biography, Barrymore: The Spectacular, Tumultuous Life of America’s Prince of Players published by the University Press of Kentucky).
Terry Chester Shulman discusses his John Barrymore biography, Barrymore: The Spectacular, Tumultuous Life of America’s Prince of Players, on Ira’s Everything Bagel.
Terry spent six years researching and writing his biography, digging beyond the familiar stories of Barrymore’s fame, marriages, alcoholism and personal demons to reveal the remarkable artist underneath the notoriety. He even had the opportunity to interview Barrymore’s daughter, Dee Dee Barrymore.
We talk about Terry’s lifelong fascination with Barrymore, beginning with his childhood love of the 1920 film Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Barrymore’s legendary theatrical family—including siblings Lionel and Ethel—and his groundbreaking approach to acting.
Barrymore helped reintroduce Shakespeare to 20th-century audiences with his celebrated performance as Richard III, pioneered a deeply personal approach to acting, and successfully transitioned from Broadway to Hollywood. He made six films in 1932 alone, yet never regarded movies as more important than the stage when it came to his artistic legacy.
Terry also reveals the fascinating story behind Barrymore’s decision to enter motion pictures, the astonishing salaries he commanded, his rivalry with Lionel and Ethel, his relationship with Katharine Hepburn, and why Terry believes Barrymore was essentially destined to succeed in the sound era.
Most importantly, Terry explains the central purpose of his book: to bring John Barrymore out from behind the cloud of notoriety and allow audiences to see the extraordinary actor who was hidden beneath the legend.
It’s a fascinating conversation about John Barrymore, Hollywood history, Broadway, Shakespeare, acting, celebrity, family rivalry and the complicated price of fame.
ABOUT TERRY:
Terry Chester Shulman is an acclaimed film biographer and historical journalist whose work has been featured in a variety of national publications. He is the author of Film’s First Family: The Untold Story of the Costellos.
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