Barrymore joined Biograph Studios in 1909 and began to appear in leading roles by 1911 in films directed by D. W. Griffith. Barrymore made "The Battle" (1911), "The New York Hat" (1912), "Friends" and "Three Friends" (1913). In 1915 he co-starred with Lillian Russell in a movie called "Wildfire", one of the legendary Russell's few film appearances. He also was involved in writing and directing at Biograph. The last silent film he directed, "Life's Whirlpool" (Metro Pictures 1917), starred his sister, Ethel. He acted in more than 60 silent films with Griffth.