Peter Lawford

Last updated

Peter Lawford
Peter Lawford 1955.jpg
Lawford in 1955
Born
Peter Sydney Ernest Aylen

(1923-09-07)7 September 1923
London, England
Died24 December 1984(1984-12-24) (aged 61)
Citizenship
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
OccupationActor
Years active1930–1984
Spouses
  • (m. 1954;div. 1966)
  • Mary Rowan
    (m. 1971;div. 1975)
  • Deborah Gould
    (m. 1976;div. 1977)
  • Patricia Seaton
    (m. 1984)
Children4, including Christopher Lawford
Parent

Peter Sydney Ernest Lawford ( Aylen; 7 September 1923 – 24 December 1984) was a British-American actor. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

He was a member of the "Rat Pack" and the brother-in-law of US president John F. Kennedy and senators Robert F. Kennedy and Edward Kennedy. From the 1940s to the 1960s, he was a well-known celebrity and starred in a number of highly acclaimed films. In later years, he was noted more for his off-screen activities as a celebrity than for his acting; it was said that he was "famous for being famous". [4]

Early life

Born in London in 1923, he was the only child of Lieutenant General Sir Sydney Turing Barlow Lawford, KBE (1865–1953) and May Sommerville Bunny (1883–1972). At the time of Peter's birth, however, his mother was married to Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Ernest Vaughn Aylen D.S.O, [5] one of Sir Sydney's officers, while his father was married to Muriel Williams. [1] At the time, May and Ernest Aylen were living apart. May confessed to Aylen that the child was not his, a revelation that resulted in a double divorce. Sydney and May wed in September 1924 after their divorces were finalised and when their son was one year old. [6]

Lawford's family was connected to the English aristocracy through his uncle Ernest Lawford's wife (a daughter of the Scottish 14th Earl of Eglinton) as well as his aunt Ethel Turner Lawford (who married a son of the 1st Baron Avebury). His aunt, Jessie Bruce Lawford, another of his father's sisters, was the second wife of the Hon Hartley Williams, senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court of the colony of Victoria, Australia. A relative, through his mother, was Australian artist Rupert Bunny.[ citation needed ]

Early childhood

He spent his early childhood in France and, owing to his family's travels, was never formally educated. Instead, he was schooled by governesses and tutors, and his education included tennis and ballet lessons. [7]

"In the beginning," his mother observed, "he had no homework. When he was older he had Spanish, German and music added to his studies. He read only selected books: English fairy stories, English and French classics; no crime stories.[ citation needed ] Having studied Peter for so long, I decided he was quite unfitted for any career except art, so I cut Latin, Algebra, high mathematics and substituted dramatics instead." [7]

Because of the widely varying national and religious backgrounds of his tutors, Lawford "attended various services in churches, cathedrals, synagogues and for some time was an usher in a Christian Science Sunday School...." [8]

Around 1930, aged seven, he made his acting debut in the English film Poor Old Bill . [9] He also had an uncredited bit in A Gentleman of Paris (1931). [10]

Accident

At the age of 14, Lawford severely injured his right arm in an accident when it went through a glass door. [11] Irreversible nerve damage severely compromised the use of his forearm and hand, [12] which he later learned to conceal. [13] The injury resulted in his being unable to follow a military career as his parents had hoped. [14] Instead, Lawford pursued a career as an actor, a decision that resulted in one of his aunts refusing to leave him her considerable fortune, as she had originally planned. [15]

Career

Early career

Lawford in The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) Peter Lawford in The Picture of Dorian Gray trailer cropped.jpg
Lawford in The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)

In 1938, Lawford was travelling through Hollywood when spotted by a talent scout. He was screen tested and made his Hollywood debut in a minor part in the film Lord Jeff starring Freddie Bartholomew. [16] [17]

The outbreak of World War II found the Lawfords in Florida. In a matter of days, they realised that they had been stranded. Their money was in Britain and Britain was at war. Their assets were frozen. Peter, then 16, took a job parking cars. When he saved enough money for the fare, he went back to Hollywood where he supported himself working as a theatre usher until he began to get film work. [18]

Extra work and bit parts

The advent of World War II saw an increase in British war stories and Lawford found himself in demand playing military personnel, albeit usually in uncredited parts. He could be glimpsed in Mrs. Miniver (1942) and Eagle Squadron (1942), both times as pilots. [19]

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

Lawford was a cadet in Thunder Birds: Soldiers of the Air (1942) and Junior Army (1942) (starring Bartholomew), a soldier in Random Harvest (1942), Immortal Sergeant (1942), and London Blackout Murders (1943) (directed by George Sherman), and a navigator in Assignment in Brittany (1943). He 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 Man from Down Under (1943). He had a minor role at Republic's Someone to Remember (1943) and The West Side Kid (1943), the latter directed by Sherman.

Lawford played a soldier in Sahara (1943) and sailors in Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943) and Corvette K-225 (1943). He was a Frenchman in Paris After Dark (1943) and Flesh and Fantasy (1943), and was a student in MGM's Girl Crazy (1943) and The Adventures of Mark Twain (1944). [24]

MGM

Lawford's career stepped up a notch when signed to a long-term contract to MGM in June 1943. The studio signed him with a specific role in mind - The White Cliffs of Dover (1944), in which he played a young soldier during the Second World War. [25]

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

MGM gave him another important role in The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945).

Leading man

In Royal Wedding (1951) Peter Lawford in Royal Wedding.jpg
In Royal Wedding (1951)

Lawford's first leading 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 Lubitsch used him at Fox in Cluny Brown (1946) where he was billed after Charles Boyer and Jennifer Jones.

He won a Modern Screen magazine readers' poll as the most popular actor in Hollywood of 1946. His fan mail jumped to thousands of letters a week. [22] With actors such as Clark Gable and James Stewart away at war, Lawford was recognised as a new romantic lead on the MGM lot.

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

Lawford later admitted that the most terrifying experience of his career was the first musical number he performed in the musical Good News (1947), the film he starred in alongside Allyson. Using an American accent for his role, he won acclaim as a performer.

Peter Lawford and Elizabeth Taylor on the promote shoot of Little Women (1949). Elizabeth Taylor and Peter Lawford in 'Little Women', 1949,.jpg
Peter Lawford and Elizabeth Taylor on the promote shoot of Little Women (1949).

He was Esther Williams' leading man in On an Island with You (1948) and supported Fred Astaire and Judy Garland in Easter Parade (1948), a huge hit, and Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon in Julia Misbehaves (1948), also popular.

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

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

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

Back at MGM he was top billed in some lower budgeted films: You for Me (1953), a comedy, The Hour of 13 (1953), a thriller and Rogue's March (1953), a war film. [29] The studio then let him go. [30]


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

Television

He focused on television, guest starring on shows like General Electric Theater , Schlitz Playhouse , and The Ford Television Theatre .

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

Lawford had a regular role on 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 The Fireside Theatre , Screen Directors Playhouse , Schlitz Playhouse again, Playhouse 90 , Producers' Showcase (a version of Ruggles of Red Gap ), several episodes of Studio 57 , Climax! and Goodyear Theatre .

Lawford had another starring role on a TV series, The Thin Man (1957–59) with Phyllis Kirk, an NBC series from MGM based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett. It was more successful, running for 72 episodes. [32]

Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack

Members of the "Rat Pack", L-R: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Lawford, and Joey Bishop Cal-Neva Casino, NV, Lake Tahoe, The Rat Pack 9-2010 (5782322671).jpg
Members of the "Rat Pack", L-R: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Lawford, and Joey Bishop

In 1959, Sinatra invited Lawford to join the "Rat Pack" and also got him a role in Never So Few (1959).

Peter Lawford and Sinatra appeared in Oceans 11 (1960). Lawford had been first told of the basic story of the film by director Gilbert Kay, who heard the idea from a gas station attendant. Lawford eventually bought the rights in 1958, imagining William Holden in the lead. [33] Sinatra became interested in the idea, and a variety of writers worked on the project. [33] [34]

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

He did a TV remake of The Farmer's Daughter (1962) with Lee Remick and was reunited with the Rat Pack in Sergeants 3 (1962).

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

Producer

In 1961, Lawford and his manager Milt Ebbins formed Chrislaw Productions, which was named after Peter's son Christopher. [36] It signed a three-year deal with United Artists to make three features and two TV series for $10 million. William Asher was to be executive producer. Their first project was to be a remake of the old silent film The Great Train Robbery . [37] That film was not made; however they did produce the 1963 action film Johnny Cool starring Henry Silva and Elizabeth Montgomery. [38]

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

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

By now, Lawford had fallen out with Sinatra — who replaced him in Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964) with Bing Crosby — but Davis remained loyal and got Lawford a supporting role in A Man Called Adam (1966). He played a washed-up film star in The Oscar (1966). He and Patricia Kennedy divorced in 1966. [39]

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

Lawford went to Europe to star in Dead Run (1967) and The Fourth Wall (1968). [40] He was a popular guest star on TV comedy and game shows. [41]

He produced a film starring himself and Davis, Salt and Pepper (1968), and had support 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 enough for Lawford to raise money for a sequel, One More Time (1970) directed by Lewis. He supported George Hamilton in Togetherness (1970) and guest starred several times on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In . In 1971, he would marry Rowan's daughter Mary. [42]

Later career

Lawford's later films included A Step Out of Line (1971), Clay Pigeon (1971), and The Deadly Hunt (1971). He had the lead role in Ellery Queen: Don't Look Behind You and guest starred on Bewitched. In 1971 he appeared as Ben Hunter on The Men From Shiloh (rebranded name for The Virginian ) in the episode titled "The Town Killer." He had a semi recurring role in The Doris Day Show (1971–72) and even directed an episode.

He returned to MGM for They Only Kill Their Masters (1972), which reunited him with several former MGM contract players.

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

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

Personal life

Lawford sailing with his brother-in-law President John F. Kennedy aboard the yacht "Manitou", a former USCG training vessel that was used as a "floating White House', off the coast of Johns Island, Maine, August 12, 1962 JFKWHP-KN-C23203-President John F Kennedy and Peter Lawford Aboard the Yacht Manitou.jpg
Lawford sailing with his brother-in-law President John F. Kennedy aboard the yacht "Manitou", a former USCG training vessel that was used as a "floating White House', off the coast of Johns Island, Maine, August 12, 1962

His first marriage, in 1954, was to socialite Patricia Kennedy, a younger sister of John F. Kennedy, then a Democratic U.S. senator 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). [43]

Lawford became a U.S. citizen on 23 April 1960. He had prepared for this in time to vote for his brother-in-law in the upcoming presidential election. [44] Lawford, along with other members of the "Rat Pack", helped campaign for Kennedy and the Democratic Party. [45] Sinatra famously dubbed him "Brother-in-Lawford" at this time. [46] [47] Lawford and Patricia Kennedy divorced in February 1966. [48] [49]

Lawford was originally cast as Alan-a-Dale in the film Robin and the 7 Hoods but was replaced by Bing Crosby following a break in Frank Sinatra's relationship with Lawford. The break stemmed from a scheduled visit to Sinatra's home by Lawford's brother-in-law, President Kennedy, during a 1962 West Coast trip. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who had long been concerned about Sinatra's rumoured ties with underworld figures, encouraged the president to change his plans and stay at Crosby's home, which (it was maintained) could provide better security for the president. The change came at the last minute, after Sinatra had made extensive arrangements for the promised and eagerly awaited presidential visit, including the construction of a helipad, which he later destroyed in a fit of rage. Sinatra was furious, believing that Lawford had failed to intercede with the Kennedys on his behalf, and banished him from the Rat Pack. [50]

Sinatra and Lawford's friendship was over. They only spoke when Sinatra called after his son Frank Sinatra Jr. was kidnapped on 8 December 1963, and he needed the help of Lawford's brother-in-law Robert F. Kennedy, then attorney general. With the exception of Pat Brown in his unsuccessful re-election as governor of California in 1966 and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey's run for the presidency in the 1968 United States presidential election, Sinatra never endorsed another Democratic candidate. Crosby, a staunch Republican, was cast in Lawford's role. [51]

Lawford married his second wife, Mary Rowan, daughter of comedian Dan Rowan, in October 1971. [52] Rowan and Lawford separated two years later and divorced in January 1975. In June 1976 he married aspiring actress Deborah Gould, whom he had known for three weeks. [53] Lawford and Gould separated two months after marrying and divorced in 1977. Following the divorce, Lawford moved into the Sierra Towers where he lived for the next few years on the 30th floor. During his separation from Gould, Lawford met Patricia Seaton who became his fourth and final wife in July 1984, just months before his death. [54]

Death

Lawford died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve 1984, aged 61, from cardiac arrest. He had suffered from kidney and liver failure after years of substance abuse. [55] His body was cremated, and his ashes were interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery. [56] Owing to a dispute between his widow and the cemetery, Lawford's ashes were removed from the cemetery in 1988 and scattered into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California by his widow Patricia Seaton Lawford, who invited the National Enquirer tabloid to photograph the event. [57]

For his contribution to the television industry, Peter Lawford has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 6920 Hollywood Boulevard. [58]

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

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
1930 Poor Old Bill Horace
1931 A Gentleman of Paris Childuncredited
1938 Lord Jeff Benny Potter
1942 Mrs. Miniver Pilotuncredited
1942 Eagle Squadron Pilot
1942 A Yank at Eton Ronnie Kenvil
1942 Thunder Birds English Cadetuncredited
alternative title: Soldiers of the Air
1942 Junior Army Cadet Wilbur
1942 Random Harvest Soldieruncredited
1943 Immortal Sergeant Soldieruncredited
1943 London Blackout Murders Percy, Soldier on Trainuncredited
1943 Assignment in Brittany Navigatoruncredited
1943 The Purple V Roger
1943 Flesh and Fantasy Pierrot (Episode 1)uncredited
1943 Above Suspicion Studentuncredited
1943 Pilot No. 5 British Soldieruncredited
1943 The Sky's the Limit Naval Commanderuncredited
1943 The Man from Down Under Mr. Jonesuncredited
1943 Someone to Remember Joe Downesalternative title: Gallant Thoroughbred
1943 The West Side Kid Jerry Winston
1943 Sahara British soldieruncredited
1943 Sherlock Holmes Faces Death Young Sailor at Baruncredited
1943 Corvette K-225 Naval Officeruncredited
1943 Paris After Dark Frenchmanuncredited
1943 Girl Crazy Studentuncredited
1944 The Adventures of Mark Twain Young Oxford Celebrantuncredited
1944 The White Cliffs of Dover John Ashwood II as a Young Man
1944 The Canterville Ghost Anthony de Canterville
1944 Mrs. Parkington Lord Thornley
1945 The Picture of Dorian Gray David Stone
1945 Son of Lassie Joe Carraclough
1945 Ziegfeld Follies Porky in "Number Please"voice, uncredited
1945 Perfect Strangers Introduction – USA Versionuncredited
alternative title: Vacation from Marriage
1946 Two Sisters from Boston Lawrence Tyburn Patterson Jr.
1946 Cluny Brown Andrew Carmel
1947 My Brother Talks to Horses John S. Penrose
1947 It Happened in Brooklyn Jamie Shellgrove
1947 Good News Tommy Marlowe
1948 On an Island with You Lieutenant Lawrence Y. Kingslee
1948 Easter Parade Jonathan Harrow III
1948 Julia Misbehaves Ritchie Lorgan
1949 Little Women Theodore "Laurie" Laurence
1949 The Red Danube Major John "Twingo" McPhimister
1950 Please Believe Me Jeremy Taylor
1951 Royal Wedding Lord John Brindalealternative title: Wedding Bells
1952 Just This Once Mark MacLene IV
1952 Kangaroo Richard Connoralternative title: The Australian Story
1952 You for Me Tony Brown
1952 The Hour of 13 Nicholas Revel
1953 Rogue's March Captain Dion Lenbridge / Private Harry Simms
1954 It Should Happen to You Evan Adams III
1956 Sincerely, Willis Wayde Willis Wayde
1959 Never So Few Captain Grey Travisalternative title: Campaign Burma
1960 Ocean's 11 Jimmy Foster
1960 Exodus Major Caldwell
1960 Pepe Himself
1962 Sergeants 3 Sergeant Larry Barrett
1962 Advise & Consent Senator Lafe Smith
1962 The Longest Day Brigadier Lord Lovat
1963 Johnny Cool
executive producer
1964 Dead Ringer Tony Collinsalternative title: Dead Image
1965 Sylvia Frederic Summers
1965 Harlow Paul Bern
1965 Billie
executive producer
1966 The Oscar Steve Marks
1966 A Man Called Adam Manny
1967 Dead Run Stephen Dainealternative titles: Deux Billets pour Mexico, Geheimnisse in goldenen Nylons, Segreti che scottano
1968Walls Of SinPapá Baronialternative titles: Quarta parete, La Limite du péché
1968 Salt and Pepper Christopher Pepperexecutive producer
1968 Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell Justin Young
1968 Skidoo Senator Humble
1969 Hook, Line & Sinker Dr. Scott Carter
1969 The April Fools Ted Gunther
1970 One More Time Christopher Pepper / Lord Sydney Pepperexecutive producer
1970 Togetherness Prince Solomon Justiani
1971 Clay Pigeon Government AgentAlternative title: Trip to Kill
1972 They Only Kill Their Masters Lee Campbell
1974 That's Entertainment! Himself, Co-Host
1975 Rosebud Lord Carter
1976 Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood Slapstick Star
1979 Angels Revenge Burkealternative title: Angels' Brigade
Seven from Heaven
1980Gypsy Angels
1981 Body and Soul Big Man
1983 Where Is Parsifal? Montague Chippendalefinal film role
Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
1953 General Electric Theater Johnepisode: "Woman's World"
1953–1954 The Ford Television Theatre Various roles3 episodes
1954–1955 Dear Phoebe Bill Hastings32 episodes
1954–1957 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Various roles3 episodes
1955 Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre Stephenepisode: "Stephen and Publius Cyrus"
1955 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Charlie Raymondepisode: "The Long Shot"
1955 Screen Directors Playhouse Tom Macyepisode: "Tom and Jerry"
1956 Playhouse 90 Willis Waydeepisode: "Sincerely, Willis Wade"
1956–1957 Studio 57 Various roles2 episodes
1957 Producers' Showcase Lord Brinsteadepisode: "Ruggles of Red Gap"
1957 Climax! Tom Wellesepisode: "Bait for the Tiger"
1957–1959 The Thin Man Nick Charles72 episodes
1958 The Bob Cummings Show Himselfepisode: "Bob Judges a Beauty Pageant"
1959 Goodyear Theatre Major John Marshallepisode: "Point of Impact"
1961 The Jack Benny Program Lord Milbeckepisode: "English Sketch"
1962 Theatre '62 Glen Morleyepisode: "The Farmer's Daughter"
1965 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Ernie Mullettepisode: "Crimson Witness"
1965 Profiles in Courage General Alexander William Doniphan episode: "General Alexander William Doniphan"
1965 Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre Lieutenant Philip Cannonepisode: "March From Camp Tyler"
1966 Run for Your Life Larry Carterepisode: "Carnival Ends at Midnight"
1966 The Wild Wild West Carl Jacksonepisode: "The Night of The Returning Dead"
1967 How I Spent My Summer Vacation Ned Pinetelevision movie
1967 I Spy Hackabyepisode: "Get Thee to a Nunnery"
1971A Step Out of LineArt Stoyertelevision movie
1971 The Virginian Ben Hunterepisode: "The Town Killer"
1971 Ellery Queen: Don't Look Behind You Ellery Queen television movie
1971–1973 The Doris Day Show Dr. Peter Lawrence8 episodes
1972 Bewitched Harrison Woolcottepisode: "Serena's Richcraft"
1974 The Phantom of Hollywood Roger Crosstelevision movie
1974 Born Free John Forbesepisode: Pilot
1977–1982 Fantasy Island Various roles4 episodes
1978 Hawaii Five-O Kenneth Kirkepisode: "Frozen Assets"
1979 The Love Boat Teddy Smithepisode: "Murder on the High Seas/Sounds of Silence/Cyrano de Bricker"
1979 Highcliffe Manor The Narrator6 episodes
1979 Supertrain Quentin Fullerepisode: "A Very Formal Heist"
1979Mysterious Island of Beautiful WomenGordon Duvalltelevision movie
1981 The Jeffersons Museum Guide (Voice)episode: "The House That George Built"

Radio appearances

YearProgramEpisode/source
1949 Lux Radio Theatre Green Dolphin Street [59]
1953 Suspense The Moonstone [60]

See also

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The Rat Pack is a 1998 American HBO made-for-television drama film about the Rat Pack. The movie stars Ray Liotta as Frank Sinatra, Joe Mantegna as Dean Martin, Don Cheadle as Sammy Davis, Jr., and Angus Macfadyen as Peter Lawford. Despite his membership in the Pack, Joey Bishop is given minimal screen time, while John F. Kennedy, depicted as an on-and-off friend of Sinatra's, is given a more central role.

<i>4 for Texas</i> 1963 film by Robert Aldrich

4 for Texas is a 1963 American comedy Western film starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Anita Ekberg, and Ursula Andress, and featuring Charles Bronson and Mike Mazurki, with a cameo appearance by Arthur Godfrey and the Three Stooges. The film was written by Teddi Sherman and Robert Aldrich, who also directed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Personal life of Frank Sinatra</span> Personal life and relationships

Frank Sinatra had many close relationships throughout his life. He was married four times and had at least six other notable relationships in between. He had three verified children, as well as more than one of questionable paternity.

Lieutenant-General Sir Sydney Turing Barlow Lawford, KCB, was a decorated British general, later to become the father of Hollywood actor Peter Lawford.

Throughout his life, Frank Sinatra, the musician and actor, was involved in many different political activities in the United States. He also held positive views toward African Americans at a time when much of the United States still had segregation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milton Ebbins</span> American jazz trumpeter

Milton Keith Ebbins was an American trumpeter, bandleader, songwriter, talent manager and movie/television producer. He began his career as a trumpet player and bandleader in the early-1930s. It was at this time when he met his wife, a singer named Lynne Sherman. They were married in 1941 and stayed together for 67 years until his death in 2008. She passed away the following year, March 27, 2009.

References

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 ( Lawford 1986 , p. 34)
  2. ( Hischak 2008 , p. 420)
  3. Obituary Variety , 26 December 1984.
  4. "Biography for Peter Lawford". Turner Classic Movies.
  5. "ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS". London Gazette (32841): 4617. 3 July 1923. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  6. ( Wayne 2006 , p. 280)
  7. 1 2 ( Lawford 1986 , p. 44)
  8. ( Lawford 1986 , p. 48)
  9. "Peter Lawford - Biography & History - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  10. PETER LAWFORD: ENGLAND'S YOUNGEST FILM STAR. The Bystander; London Vol. 109, Iss. 1417, (Feb 11, 1931): 262.
  11. ( Spada 1991 , pp. 47–48)
  12. ( Spada 1991 , p. 50)
  13. ( Wayne 2006 , p. 281)
  14. ( Spada 1991 , p. 65)
  15. ( Lawford 1986 , p. 52)
  16. "Fanny Brice to Team in Comedy: Nan Grey Assigned Novel Short Planned Diamond Story Set Film World Pageant" . Los Angeles Times. 24 March 1938. p. 10.
  17. Zylstra, Freida (2 May 1948). "Peter Lawford" . Chicago Daily Tribune . p. F20.
  18. Van Atta, Burr. Peter Lawford Is Dead; Actor on Film and TV Philadelphia Inquirer ; date=25 December 1984: A1. Subscription required.
  19. "Peter Lawford" . Chicago Daily Tribune. 3 March 1946. p. F9.
  20. "Alice Faye to Return in 'Frisco' Feature 'Hattie' Work Resumed Glider Yarn Announced Three Holt Films Set Texas 'Find' Gets Role Rowe to Screen-Debut" . Los Angeles Times . 7 April 1942. p. A8.
  21. The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study
  22. 1 2 3 "Peter Lawford". IMDb . Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  23. The LIFE STORY of Peter LAWFORD. Picture Show; London Vol. 51, Iss. 1309, (Feb 22, 1947): 12.
  24. The Life Story of PETER LAWFORD. Picture Show; London Vol. 62, Iss. 1617, (Mar 27, 1954): 12.
  25. "Universal to Make 'Chamber of Horrors' – Bogart Ban Lifted – 4 New Films This Week". The New York Times . 7 June 1943. p. 9.
  26. "Bing Crosby to Star in Musical 'California' for Paramount -- Tugent to Produce FRONTIER BADMEN' IS DUE Western Opens at Rialto Friday -- 'This Is Army' Plays to Large Crowds in 2d Week" . The New York Times. 9 August 1943. p. 22.
  27. ( Spada 1991 , p. 111)
  28. "Actor Peter Lawford, TV's 'Thin Man'" . Chicago Tribune. 25 December 1984. p. C10.
  29. Schallert, Edwin (14 March 1952). "Peter Lawford Pursues Comedy Destiny; Flashy Dietrich Tour Planned" . Los Angeles Times. p. B7.
  30. "Rogue's March", Turner Classic Monthly accessed 28 April 2015
  31. Page, Eleanor (13 February 1954). "Actor Peter Lawford to Wed Miss Kennedy" . Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 13.
  32. Peter Lawford Buys 'Thin Man' The Washington Post and Times-Herald 03 November 1958: B6.
  33. 1 2 pp.117–121 Levy, Shawn Rat Pack Confidential 1998 Fourth Estate Ltd
  34. ( Spada 1991 , p. 213)
  35. "Peter Lawford Takes Oath of Citizenship" . Los Angeles Times. 23 April 1960. p. 38.
  36. ( Spada 1991 , p. 339)
  37. "LAWFORD'S FIRM IN DEAL WITH U.A.: To Produce Theatrical and TV Films Over 3 Years" . The New York Times. 5 June 1961. p. 38.
  38. Peter Lawford's 'Johnny Cool' The Christian Science Monitor 7 October 1963: 10.
  39. "Peter Lawford Surprised at Swiftness of Court Action". Madera Tribune . United Press International. 2 February 1966. p. 14.
  40. Martin, Betty (21 April 1967). "Peter Lawford in 'Dead Run'" . Los Angeles Times. p. D11.
  41. Humphrey, Hal (15 February 1968). "Peter Lawford Back in Town" . Los Angeles Times. p. D16.
  42. Boyes, Malcolm (14 January 1985). "The Passing of Peter Lawford Rekindles Memories of the Joys and Sadness of a Camelot Lost". People . Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  43. "Kennedy clan a US dynasty". The Courier-News . Bridgewater, New Jersey. 26 April 1984. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  44. ( Spada 1991 , p. 233)
  45. ( Spada 1991 , p. 228)
  46. ( Schroeder 2004 , pp. 81–82)
  47. ( Spada 1991 , p. 207)
  48. ( Rorabaugh 2002 , p. 146)
  49. ( Spada 1991 , p. 366)
  50. ( Spada 1991 , pp. 292–93)
  51. ( Spada 1991 , p. 294)
  52. ( Spada 1991 , pp. 410, 408)
  53. ( Spada 1991 , p. 433)
  54. ( Bly 1999 , pp. 187–88)
  55. ( Spada 1991 , p. 468)
  56. ( Spada 1991 , p. 469)
  57. ( Spada 1991 , pp. 470–71)
  58. "Peter Lawford | Hollywood Walk of Fame". Walkoffame.com. 8 February 1960. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  59. "Radio's Golden Age". Nostalgia Digest. 39 (2): 40–41. Spring 2013.
  60. Kirby, Walter (22 November 1953). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. p. 46. Retrieved 8 July 2015 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg

Sources