Lew Ayres
Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park
Lew Ayres achieved quick
fame in Hollywood, and is best known for his role as Dr. Kildare in a series of
films in the late 1930s and early 1940s. But his strong anti-war beliefs almost
cost him his career.
The boyishly handsome Ayres was a dance band musician when
he was spotted by Hollywood talent scouts while playing in the Cocoanut
Grove nightclub in 1928. He quickly made his film debut in a bit part
Ayres played the title role in "Young Dr. Kildare" (1938),
co-starring with Lionel Barrymore and Laraine Day. The film launched a
long and profitable series of films, including "Calling Dr. Kildare"
(1939), "The Secret of Dr. Kildare" (1939), "Dr. Kildare's Strange Case"
(1940), "Dr. Kildare's Crisis" (1940), "Dr. Kildare Goes Home" (1940),
"The People vs. Dr. Kildare" (1941), "Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day" (1941)
and "Dr. Kildare's Victory" (1941).
In 1941, the deeply religious Ayres was drafted to serve
in World War II but, because of his strong anti-war beliefs, he declared
himself a conscientious objector, and refused to fight in combat. During
those patriotic times, the film-going public was stunned, Ayres was dropped
by the studio, and many exhibitors refused to show his films. The popular
"Dr. Kildare" series continued without Ayres, however, focusing on Barrymore's
crusty character, beginning with "Calling Dr. Gillespie" (1942). Ayres later
volunteered for non-combat medical service, and he served with the U.S. Army
as a medical orderly and chaplain's assistant, distinguishing himself under
fire on the front lines in the South Pacific.
After the war, Ayres returned to Hollywood and attempted
to resurrect his career. He regained public acceptance with his roles in
"The Dark Mirror" (1946), "The Unfaithful" (1947) and "Johnny Belinda" (1948),
for which he received an Academy Award nomination as Best Actor. Ayres was
offered the title role in a television series based on Dr. Kildare, but
the network refused to honor his request that the series not be sponsored
by any cigarette manufacturers. Ayres appeared in few films after that,
including "Donovan's Brain" (1953), "Advice and Consent" (1962), "The
Carpetbaggers" (1964) and "Damien: Omen II" (1978). He also appeared
in many made-for-television films in the 1970s and 1980s.
Ayres' interest in religion resulted in his producing,
directing and narrating two documentaries -- "Altars of the East" (1955)
and "Altars of the World" (1976), both based on his own research and writing.
Ayres was born Lewis Frederick Ayres III on Dec. 28, 1908,
in Minneapolis, MN. He died on Dec. 30, 1996, in Los Angeles, CA.
1908 - 1996
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