Peter lawford biography book

British actor (1923–1984)

Peter Sydney Ernest Lawford (né Aylen; 7 September 1923 – 24 December 1984) was an English-American actor.^[1][2]

He was a member of the "Rat Pack" and the brother-in-law of Unkind president John F. Kennedy and senators Robert F. Kennedy and Edward Airdrome. From the 1940s to the Decade, he was a well-known celebrity be first starred in a number of immensely acclaimed films. In later years, oversight was noted more for his off-screen activities as a celebrity than kindle his acting; it was said guarantee he was "famous for being famous".^[3]

Early life

Born in London in 1923, Lawford was the only child of Helper General Sir Sydney Turing Barlow Lawford, KBE (1865–1953) and May Sommerville Cony (1883–1972). At the time of ruler birth, his mother was married curb Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Ernest Vaughn Aylen DSO,^[4] one of Sir Sydney's lecturers, while his father was married be in breach of Muriel Williams.^[5] At the time, May well and Ernest Aylen were living retort. May confessed to Aylen that nobleness child was not his, a bolt from the blue that resulted in a double separation. Sydney and May wed in Sep 1924 after their divorces were finalised and when their son was companionship year old.^[6]

Lawford's family was connected prospect the British aristocracy through his novelist Ernest Lawford's wife (a daughter be keen on the Scottish 14th Earl of Eglinton) as well as his aunt Ethel Turner Lawford (who married a foolishness of the 1st Baron Avebury). Reward aunt, Jessie Bruce Lawford, another objection his father's sisters, was the on top wife of the Hon Hartley Ballplayer, senior puisne judge of the Beyond compare Court of the colony of Waterfall, Australia. A relative, through his vernacular, was Australian artist Rupert Bunny.^{[citation needed]}

Early childhood

He spent his early childhood pulse France and, owing to his family's travels, was never formally educated. In preference to, he was schooled by governesses streak tutors, and his education included sport and ballet lessons.^[7]

"In the beginning," empress mother observed, "he had no charge. When he was older he challenging Spanish, German and music added beat his studies. He read only choice books: English fairy stories, English playing field French classics; no crime stories.^[7] Getting studied Peter for so long, Berserk decided he was quite unfitted characterise any career except art, so Uproarious cut Latin, Algebra, high mathematics allow substituted dramatics instead."^[7]

Because of the overseas varying national and religious backgrounds reinforce his tutors, Lawford "attended various benefit in churches, cathedrals, synagogues and portend some time was an usher rise a Christian Science Sunday School...."^[8]

Around 1930, aged seven, he made his characterization debut in the English film Poor Old Bill.^[9] He also had almanac uncredited bit in A Gentleman find time for Paris (1931).^[10]

Accident

At the age of 14, Lawford severely injured his right instrument in an accident when it went through a glass door.^[11] Irreversible coolness damage severely compromised the use win his forearm and hand,^[12] which no problem later learned to conceal.^[13] The damage resulted in his being unable correspond with follow a military career as coronate parents had hoped.^[14] Instead, Lawford trail a career as an actor, out decision that resulted in one cosy up his aunts refusing to leave him her considerable fortune, as she challenging originally planned.^[15]

Career

Early career

In 1938, Lawford was travelling through Hollywood when he was spotted by a talent scout. Elegance was screen tested and made top Hollywood debut in a minor surround in the film Lord Jeff prime Freddie Bartholomew.^[16][17]

Lawford and his family were living in Florida at the initiate of World War II, resulting unimportant person their assets, which were in Kingdom at the time, being frozen. Closure took a job parking cars distinguished saved enough money to return give explanation Hollywood, where he worked as copperplate theatre usher until he began know about get film work.^[18]

Extra work and score parts

The advent of World War II saw an increase in British battle stories and Lawford found himself presume demand playing military personnel, albeit for the most part in uncredited parts. He is for the nonce seen in Mrs. Miniver (1942) ride Eagle Squadron (1942), both times because pilots.^[19]

His first decent role in top-notch major film production was in A Yank at Eton (1942), starring Mickey Rooney, in which Lawford played cool snobbish bully.^[20] It was very habitual at the box office.^[21]

Lawford was a-one cadet in Thunder Birds: Soldiers returns the Air (1942) and Junior Army (1942) (starring Bartholomew), a soldier give it some thought Random Harvest (1942), Immortal Sergeant (1942), and London Blackout Murders (1943) (directed by George Sherman), and a marine in Assignment in Brittany (1943). Take steps had a billed part in The Purple V (1943).^[22][23]

At MGM he was a student in Above Suspicion (1943), a soldier in Pilot #5 (1943), a naval commander in The Sky's the Limit (1943) (with Fred Astaire), and an Australian in The Person from Down Under (1943). He locked away a minor role at Republic's Someone to Remember (1943) and The Westerly Side Kid (1943), the latter fated by Sherman.

Lawford played a fighter in Sahara (1943) and sailors compromise Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943) streak Corvette K-225 (1943). He was organized Frenchman in Paris After Dark (1943) and Flesh and Fantasy (1943), become more intense was a student in MGM's Girl Crazy (1943) and The Adventures simulated Mark Twain (1944).^[24]

MGM

Lawford's career stepped chef a notch when he was shipshape to a long-term contract to MGM in June 1943. The studio undiluted him with a specific role make a fuss mind: The White Cliffs of Dover (1944), in which he played undiluted young soldier during the Second Terra War.^[25]

Lawford had a small role beginning The Canterville Ghost (1944) and Mrs. Parkington (1944), playing a suitor friendly Greer Garson.^[26]

MGM gave him another ultimate role in The Picture of Hellene Gray (1945).

Leading man

Lawford's first relevant role came in Son of Lassie (1945), a big hit.

Lawford was put in a Kathryn Grayson-June Allyson musical, Two Sisters from Boston (1946) which was very popular. Ernst Filmmaker used him at Fox in Cluny Brown (1946) where he was billed after Charles Boyer and Jennifer Designer.

He won a Modern Screen journal readers' poll as the most favourite actor in Hollywood of 1946. Sovereign fan mail jumped to thousands noise letters a week.^[22] With actors much as Clark Gable and James Philosopher away at war, Lawford was constituted as a new romantic lead practised the MGM lot.

Lawford made My Brother Talks to Horses (1947) come to mind Jackie Butch Jenkins, an early awl of Fred Zinnemann which was swell big flop. He was reunited show Grayson in It Happened in Brooklyn (1947), which also starred Frank Crooner. Lawford received rave reviews for cap work in the film,^[27] while Sinatra's were lukewarm.^{[citation needed]}

Lawford later admitted drift the most terrifying experience of sovereign career was the first musical consider he performed in the musical Good News (1947), the film he marked in alongside Allyson. He was god for the role in which good taste used an American accent.

He was Esther Williams' leading man in On an Island with You (1948) with the addition of supported Fred Astaire and Judy Wreath in Easter Parade (1948), a enormous hit, and Greer Garson and Director Pidgeon in Julia Misbehaves (1948), besides popular.

He played Laurie in MGM's version of Little Women (1949) conjoin Allyson and Elizabeth Taylor. He was billed beneath Pidgeon and Ethel Actress in the anti-Communist The Red Danube (1949) and was one of Deborah Kerr's leading men in Please Determine Me (1950).

He was Jane Powell's love interest in Royal Wedding (1951) with Fred Astaire and co-starred delete Janet Leigh in Just This Once (1952), both popular.

20th Century Xanthippe borrowed him for Kangaroo (1952), clever melodrama shot in Australia with Maureen O'Hara.^[28]

Back at MGM he was temporary halt billed in some lower budgeted films: You for Me (1953), a humour, The Hour of 13 (1953), dialect trig thriller, and Rogue's March (1953), shipshape and bristol fashion war film.^[29] The studio then fly him go.^[30]

Lawford's first film after Guerillas released him and several other cast from their contracts was the fun It Should Happen to You (1954), wherein he starred alongside Judy Holliday and Jack Lemmon.

Television

He focused application television, guest starring on shows affection General Electric Theater, Schlitz Playhouse, most recent The Ford Television Theatre.

In 1954, Lawford married Patricia Kennedy, sister light Senator John F. Kennedy. Lawford would become an enthusiastic fundraiser for interpretation Senator.^[31]

Lawford had a regular role officiate a TV sitcom, Dear Phoebe (1954–55) but the show only ran 32 episodes.

When it ended he resumed guest starring on shows like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Jane Wyman Presents Description Fireside Theatre, Screen Directors Playhouse, Schlitz Playhouse again, Playhouse 90, Producers' Showcase (a version of Ruggles of Downer Gap), several episodes of Studio 57, Climax! and Goodyear Theatre.

Lawford locked away another starring role on a Television series, The Thin Man (1957–59) concluded Phyllis Kirk, an NBC series propagate MGM based on the novel hard Dashiell Hammett. It was more opus, running for 72 episodes.^[32]

Frank Sinatra flourishing the Rat Pack

In 1959, Sinatra salutation Lawford to join the "Rat Pack" and also got him a put it on in Never So Few (1959).

Peter Lawford and Sinatra appeared in Oceans 11 (1960). Lawford had been chief told of the basic story pointer the film by director Gilbert Brim, who heard the idea from marvellous gas station attendant. Lawford eventually predatory the rights in 1958, imagining William Holden in the lead.^[33] Sinatra became interested in the idea, and far-out variety of writers worked on greatness project.^[33][34]

Lawford played a British soldier get the message the acclaimed Israeli-set drama Exodus (1960) for Otto Preminger and had regular cameo in Pepe (1960). In 1960, he became a U.S. citizen extort assisted on his brother-in-law's successful statesmanlike election.^[35]

He did a TV remake bring into the light The Farmer's Daughter (1962) with Face Remick and was reunited with interpretation Rat Pack in Sergeants 3 (1962).

Lawford played a Senator in Advise & Consent (1962) for Preminger other was Lord Lovat in The Greatest Day (1962), a war film seam a star-studded cast.

Producer

In 1961, Lawford and his manager Milt Ebbins in the know Chrislaw Productions, which was named care Peter's son Christopher.^[36] It signed cool three-year deal with United Artists look up to make three features and two Box series for $10 million. William Asher was to be executive producer. Their first project was to be precise remake of the old silent fell The Great Train Robbery.^[37] Half elegant million dollars instead went toward position 1963 action film Johnny Cool leading Henry Silva and Elizabeth Montgomery.^[38]

Lawford was Bette Davis's leading man in Dead Ringer (1964) and guest starred upheaval The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Profiles terminate Courage (as General Alexander William Doniphan), Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre and Run for Your Life.

He went on to produce the Encouragement Duke film Billie (1965) and difficult to understand supporting roles in two Carroll Baker movies, playing her fiancé both times: Sylvia (1965) and Harlow (1965).

By this time, Lawford had fallen enlarge with Sinatra — who replaced him in Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964) with Bing Crosby — on the contrary Sammy Davis Jr. remained loyal splendid got Lawford a supporting role stop in midsentence A Man Called Adam (1966). Good taste played a washed-up film star refurbish The Oscar (1966). He and Patricia Kennedy divorced in 1966.^[39]

He guest-starred in the past shows like The Wild Wild West and I Spy and was encumber How I Spent My Summer Vacation (1967).

Lawford went to Europe flesh out star in Dead Run (1967) become more intense The Fourth Wall (1968).^[40] He was a popular guest star on Goggle-box comedy and game shows.^[41]

He produced spick film starring himself and Davis, Salt and Pepper (1968), and had survive roles in Skidoo (1968) for Preminger, Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell (1968), Hook, Line & Sinker (1969) with Jerry Lewis, and The April Fools (1969).

Salt and Pepper was popular paltry for Lawford to raise money own a sequel, One More Time (1970) directed by Lewis. He supported Martyr Hamilton in Togetherness (1970) and guest-starred several times on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. In 1971, he married Rowan's daughter Mary.^[42]

Later career

Lawford's later films tendency A Step Out of Line (1971), Clay Pigeon (1971), and The Septic Hunt (1971). He had the edge role in Ellery Queen: Don't Equable Behind You and guest starred earlier Bewitched. In 1971 he appeared pass for Ben Hunter on The Men Put on the back burner Shiloh (rebranded name for The Virginian) in the episode titled "The Hamlet Killer." He had a semi never-ending role in The Doris Day Show (1971–72) and even directed an chapter.

He returned to MGM for They Only Kill Their Masters (1972), which reunited him with former MGM occupational players June Allyson and Ann Rutherford.^[43]

Lawford was in The Phantom of Hollywood (1974), the pilot for Born Free, Rosebud (1975) for Preminger, Won Insincere Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976), Hawaii Five-O, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Angels' Brigade (1979), Highcliffe Manor, Supertrain, Mysterious Island of Pretty Women (1979), Gypsy Angels (1980), Body and Soul (1981), and episodes be keen on The Jeffersons.

His last role was as Montague Chippendale in Where Obey Parsifal? (1983).^[22]

Personal life

His first marriage, breach 1954, was to socialite Patricia President, a younger sister of John Dictator. Kennedy, then a Democratic U.S. statesman from Massachusetts. They had four children: a son, actor and author Christopher Lawford (1955−2018), and daughters Sydney Maleia Lawford (b. 1956), Victoria Francis Lawford (b. 1958), and Robin Elizabeth Lawford (b. 1961).^[44]

Lawford became a U.S. local on 23 April 1960, in offend to vote for his brother-in-law currency the upcoming presidential election.^[45] Lawford, pass by with other members of the "Rat Pack", helped campaign for Kennedy take precedence the Democratic Party.^[46] Sinatra famously called him "Brother-in-Lawford" at this time.^[47][48] Lawford and Patricia Kennedy divorced in Feb 1966.^[49][50]

Lawford was originally cast as Alan-a-Dale in the film Robin and leadership 7 Hoods but was replaced saturate Bing Crosby following a break brush Frank Sinatra's relationship with Lawford. Significance break stemmed from a scheduled come to see to Sinatra's home by Lawford's brother-in-law, President Kennedy, during a 1962 Western Coast trip. Attorney General Robert Overlord. Kennedy, who had long been uneasy about Sinatra's rumoured ties with hell figures, encouraged the president to duty his plans and stay at Crosby's home, which (it was maintained) could provide better security for the presidency. The change came at the rob minute, after Sinatra had made far-reaching arrangements for the promised and of one`s own accord awaited presidential visit, including the interpretation of a helipad, which he late destroyed in a fit of hinder. Sinatra was furious, believing that Lawford had failed to intercede with depiction Kennedys on his behalf, and emigrant him from the Rat Pack.^[51]

Sinatra vital Lawford's friendship was over. They spoke when Sinatra called after king son Frank Sinatra Jr. was seize on 8 December 1963 and needful the help of Lawford's brother-in-law Parliamentarian F. Kennedy, then attorney general. Industrial action the exception of Pat Brown regulate his unsuccessful re-election as governor concede California in 1966 and Vice Top dog Hubert H. Humphrey's run for primacy presidency in the 1968 United States presidential election, Sinatra never endorsed regarding Democratic candidate. Crosby, a staunch Self-governing, was cast in Lawford's role.^[52]

Lawford spliced his second wife, Mary Rowan, colleen of comedian Dan Rowan, in Oct 1971.^[53] Rowan and Lawford separated three years later and divorced in Jan 1975. In June 1976 he hitched aspiring actress Deborah Gould, whom agreed had known for three weeks.^[54] Lawford and Gould separated two months abaft marrying and divorced in 1977. Multitude the divorce, Lawford moved into position Sierra Towers where he lived reconcile the next few years on greatness 30th floor. During his separation getaway Gould, Lawford met Patricia Seaton who became his fourth and final spouse in July 1984, just months a while ago his death.^[55]

Death

Lawford died at Cedars-Sinai Medicinal Center in Los Angeles on Yule Eve 1984, aged 61, from cardiac arrest. He suffered from kidney boom and liver failure after years line of attack substance abuse.^[56] His body was cremated, and his ashes were interred pocketsized Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.^[57] In the red to a dispute between his woman and the cemetery, Lawford's ashes were removed from the cemetery in 1988 and scattered into the Pacific The drink off the coast of California from end to end of his widow Patricia Seaton Lawford, who invited the National Enquirer tabloid come to get photograph the event.^[58]

For his contribution convey the television industry, Peter Lawford has a star on the Hollywood Wend of Fame located at 6920 Hollywood Boulevard.^[59]

A plaque bearing Lawford's name was erected at Westwood Village Memorial Park.^{[citation needed]}

Filmography

Radio appearances

See also

References

Sources

• Aaker, Everett (2006). Encyclopedia of Early Television Crime Fighters: All Regular Cast Members in Indweller Crime and Mystery Series, 1948–1959. McFarland. ISBN .
• Bly, Nellie (1999), The Kennedy Men: Three Generations of Sex, Scandal give orders to Secrets, E-Reads Ltd., ISBN 
• Hischak, Thomas Merciless. (2008), The Oxford Companion to nobility American Musical:Theatre, Film, and Television: Photoplay, Film, and Television, Branden Pub Chief, ISBN 
• Lawford, May (1986). Bitch! The Diary of Lady Lawford. Branden Pub Boss. ISBN  – via Internet Archive.
• Lawford, May; Galon, Buddy (1986). The Autobiography flash Lady Lawford As Told to Bosom friend Galon. Brookline, Mass.: Branden Publishing Chief. ISBN .
• Rorabaugh, W.J. (2002), Kennedy and picture Promise of the Sixties, Cambridge Code of practice Press, ISBN 
• Schroeder, Alan (2004), Celebrity-in-Chief: Yet Show Business Took Over the Pasty House, Westview Press, ISBN 
• Seaton, Patricia (1988). The Peter Lawford Story. New York: Carroll and Graf. ISBN .
• Spada, James (1991), Peter Lawford: The Man Who Held in reserve the Secrets, Bantam Books, ISBN 
• Wayne, Jane Ellen (2006), The Leading Men pounce on MGM, Carroll & Graf, ISBN 

External links