SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION

(Recycled post)

We know Nance O’Neil is connected to Lizzie Borden. But actress Drew Barrymore? Yes indeed, and only by “six degrees”.

1. Actress Drew Blythe Barrymore

(b. February 22, 1975)

2. Her grandfather was actor John Drew Barrymore

(b. John Sidney Blythe, February 15, 1882, Philadelphia. - d. May 29, 1942, Hollywood, CA.)

3. He was the brother of actor Lionel Barrymore

(b. Lionel Herbert Blythe, April 28, 1878, Philadelphia – d. November 15, 1954, Van Nuys, CA.)

4. Lionel Barrymore married the daughter of McKee Rankin*

(b. February 6, 1844, Canada – d. April 17, 1914, California)

5. McKee Rankin was theatrical manager to Nance O’Neil

(b. Gertrude Lamson, October 8, 1874, Oakland, CA – d. February 7, 1965, Englewood, NJ)

6. Nance O’Neil was a friend of Lizzie Borden

(b. July 19, 1860, Fall River, MA – d. June 1, 1927, Fall River)

*Doris McKee Rankin (1888-1946) married Lionel Barrymore at age 17 in 1905, divorced December, 1922. (Time Magazine, May 19, 1923)

Source: (McKee Rankin and the Heyday of the American Theater. David Beasley, Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2002.)

Tags: drew barrymore, nance o’neil