Lew Ayres

Lew Ayres (December 28, 1908 – December 30, 1996) was an American actor. Born Lewis Frederick Ayre III in Minneapolis, Minnesota and raised in San Diego, California, Ayres began acting in bit player roles in films in 1927. He played opposite Greta Garbo in 1927's The Kiss, but it was his starring role in 1930's All Quiet on the Western Front which made him a star. He played the title role in Young Dr. Kildare in 1938, and became a matinee idol, starring in several Kildare films.

Related Topics:
December 28 - 1908 - December 30 - 1996 - Minneapolis, Minnesota - San Diego, California - Greta Garbo - 1927 - The Kiss - 1930 - All Quiet on the Western Front - Young Dr. Kildare - 1938

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But his conscientious objector status during World War II caused outrage throughout America, until he volunteered with the Medical Corps, serving in the Pacific and in New Guinea. In 1948 he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for Johnny Belinda, but his career was sparse after the war. He was offered the part of Doctor Kildare in a television series, but his request that the show would not have cigarette ads torpedoed that.

Related Topics:
Conscientious objector - World War II - New Guinea - Academy Award for Best Actor - Johnny Belinda - Television series

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His 1976 documentary film Altars of the World brought his Eastern philosophical beliefs to the screen and earned him critical acclaim.

Related Topics:
1976 - Documentary film - Altars of the World

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Late in life, he appeared on The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Mary's boyfriend, who ends up dumping her after she finally decides that his age doesn't matter to her.

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Ayres was married three times. He was married to actress Lola Lane from 1931 until 1933 and to actress Ginger Rogers from 1934 until 1940. His third marriage, to Diana Hall, lasted from 1964 until his death from undisclosed causes at the age of 88.

Related Topics:
Lola Lane - Ginger Rogers

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He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6385 Hollywood Blvd.

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