John Barrymore came from a long line of theater actors. He himself first appeared on stage alongside his father in 1900, and in 1903 officially began his career, starring in the likes of Justice (1916) and Richard III (1920). His greatest role was his 1992 appearance in Hamlet, for which he was dubbed “the greatest living American tragedian.”
Barrymore also starred in a slew of silent films, most notably Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920), Sherlock Holmes (1922) and Beau Brummel (1924). He later made the transition to sound movies, starring in the likes of Grand Hotel (1932) and Midnight (1939).
On May 29, 1942, Barrymore died at the age of 60 from pneumonia and cirrhosis. What happened next has been the subject of many rumors. It’s alleged his friends, Errol Flynn, W.C. Fields and Sadakichi Hartmann snuck into the morgue where his body was being held, propped him up against a poker table and allowed him to experience one final celebration.
As it turns out, these rumors are true! In an August 2020 episode of the popular YouTube series Hot Ones, the acting legend’s granddaughter, Drew Barrymore, revealed his corpse had actually been stolen.
“Not only yes, but there have been cinematic interpretations of it,” she exclaimed. Those interpretations include S.O.B., starring Julie Andrews, and allegedly the 1989 comedy Weekend at Bernie’s, in which two friends pretend their deceased boss is alive.
Barrymore added that she wants the same to happen to her. “I will say this, I hope my friends do the same for me. That is the kind of spirit I can get behind. Just prop the old bag up, let’s have a few rounds.
“I think death comes with so much morose sadness and I understand that, but if it’s okay, just for me, if everybody could be really happy and celebratory and have a party, that would be my preference.”
Vintage Hollywood certainly was a different era…
“She’s a real Thumbelina” – Meet the girl who’s only 99cm tall and defied all the odds
Kenadie Jourdin-Bromley, a Canadian child from Ontario, seemed ordinary at first glance.
She had high hopes for the future, loved sports and drawing, and went to school.
Nonetheless, one characteristic set Kenadie apart from her peers: her diminutive height of 99 centimeters.
Reports state that when Kenadie was born in February 2023, she weighed a mere 2.5 pounds. Her condition was quickly diagnosed by doctors as an uncommon form of cardiovascular disease, thought to affect only 100 people globally. The nurses dubbed her “Thumbelina,” quite fittingly.
Regretfully, Kenadie had slim chances of surviving.
According to reports, the girl’s condition can lead to complications like delayed mental development, respiratory issues, and digestive issues. Doctors at the hospital where the girl was born were concerned that she wouldn’t have much time to live due to her brain injuries.
Understandably, her parents were devastated. In order to give their little girl a name in case she passed away, they chose to christen her on the day of her birth.
“We thought we were going to take her home to die, because that’s what the doctors told us,” mom Brianne explained to Barcroft TV back in 2016.
Still, as the days went by, Kenadie steadfastly refused to give up. After she triumphed over all the challenges and hardships, her parents were able to dream again that she would survive. It was nothing less than a miracle for them.
Many years later, Kenadie still astounds everyone she encounters. She is only 99 centimeters tall, her arms and legs are still immature, and she struggles to learn new things, but she is a content young girl who enjoys life to the fullest.
Kenadie reportedly enjoys bowling and ice skating. Above all, she makes people happy that she meets.
“Kenadie makes me laugh. She’s very empathetic – if you hurt your finger she comes and gives you a hug. She’s got an infectious laugh that makes you want to laugh along with her,” Kenadie’s assistant Jessica Putnam mentioned to Barcroft TV in 2016.
Naturally, Kenadie and her family face many new challenges in their lives. Despite her loved ones’ best efforts to take each day as it comes, the young girl is continuously dealing with medical issues.
“My hope for Kenadie’s future– my biggest hope for her– is I want her to be happy. I want her to smile and be successful. If we can get through today, then we’ll see about tomorrow,” her mom said.
We are happy to share Kenadie’s inspiring story!
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