Harry L. Lewis (April 1, 1920 – June 9, 2013) was a supporting actor in films and was the founder, along with his wife Marilyn, of the Hamburger Hamlet and Kate Mantilini restaurant chains.

Harry Lewis
Born(1920-04-01)April 1, 1920
DiedJune 9, 2013(2013-06-09) (aged 93)
Other namesCpl. Harry Lewis
Occupation(s)Actor, restaurateur
Years active1941–1985
Spouse
Marilyn Friedman Lewis
(m. 1952)

Biography

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Lewis was born in Los Angeles, California, on April 1, 1920.[1] His first film role was as a flagman in Dive Bomber (1941). He was immediately put under contract to Warner Bros., at which he made several films. He is perhaps best remembered for his role as Edward "Toots" Bass, one of Edward G. Robinson's henchmen, in 1948's Key Largo.[2]

Other small film roles included appearances as Claude Rains's butler in The Unsuspected (1947), Sheriff Clyde Boston in Gun Crazy (1949), the head of a gang of criminals in Blonde Dynamite (1950), and as a gangster in "The Monkey Mystery" episode of Adventures of Superman on television (1951). He also had a minor role as a slave in Cecil B. Demille's epic The Ten Commandments.

In 1950, Lewis and his then girlfriend Marilyn Friedman,[3] invested US$3,500 (equivalent to $44,300 in 2023) to open the Hamburger Hamlet restaurant at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Hilldale Avenue on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. The restaurant was successful and grew into a chain of 24 locations. The couple's two children, David and Adam, joined them in the restaurant business. The Lewises took Hamburger Hamlet public in 1969, and sold the company for $29.2 million in 1987 (equivalent to $78.3 million in 2023).

Lewis and his wife Marilyn later owned the Beverly Hills restaurant institution Kate Mantilini, which closed in 2014 after operating for 27 years. The restaurant was named after a mistress of Marilyn's uncle.

Lewis died on June 9, 2013, at the age of 93.[4] His widow Marilyn died on May 3, 2017.[5]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1941 Dive Bomber Flag Man Uncredited
1941 International Squadron Pilot Uncredited
1941 One Foot in Heaven Young Soldier in Hospital Uncredited
1941 They Died with Their Boots On Youth Uncredited
1941 The Body Disappears Elevator Operator Uncredited
1941 You're in the Army Now Recruit Uncredited
1942 Captains of the Clouds Mr. Burton - RCAF Applicant Uncredited
1942 Always in My Heart Steve
1942 Secret Enemies Radio Operator Uncredited
1942 Busses Roar Danny
1942 Desperate Journey Evans Uncredited
1943 The Hard Way Serious Young Man Uncredited
1943 Air Force Minor Role Uncredited
1944 The Last Ride Harry Bronson
1944 Winged Victory Cadet Peter Clark
1946 Her Kind of Man Candy
1947 The Unsuspected Max
1947 Always Together Reporter Uncredited
1948 Winter Meeting Juvenile Uncredited
1948 Wallflower Arthur Uncredited
1948 Key Largo Edward 'Toots' Bass
1948 Adventures of Don Juan Innkeeper's Son Uncredited
1948 The Decision of Christopher Blake Juvenile in Play Uncredited
1948 Whiplash Press Man Uncredited
1949 Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch Chick Bennett
1949 Bomba on Panther Island Robert Maitland
1950 Gun Crazy Deputy Clyde Boston
1950 Blonde Dynamite Champ Fallon
1950 My Friend Irma Goes West Trooper Uncredited
1950 Southside 1-1000 FBI Agent Uncredited
1951 The Fat Man Happy Stevens
1953 Run for the Hills Mr. Carewe
1953 Vice Squad Arresting Detective Uncredited
1956 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Ritchie Season 1 Episode 37: "Decoy"
1956 The Harder They Fall New York Ring Announcer Uncredited
1956 The Ten Commandments Slave Uncredited
1956 Accused of Murder Bartender Uncredited
1956 The Man Is Armed Cole
1959 I Mobster Gangster Uncredited
1969 Pendulum Brooks Elliot
1978 Invisible Strangler Stage Manager

References

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  1. ^ "California Births, 1905 - 1995 | Lewis, Harry L". Family Tree Legends. Archived from the original on 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  2. ^ Crowther, Bosley (July 17, 1948). "THE SCREEN; 'Key Largo,' Remake of Drama by Anderson With Bogart and Robinson, at Strand". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2019-04-30. Retrieved January 27, 2008.
  3. ^ Lynch, Rene (June 10, 2013). "Harry Lewis dies at 93; launched Hamburger Hamlet chain". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2013-06-11. Retrieved 2013-06-11.
  4. ^ Lynch, Rene (June 10, 2013). "Actor and Hamburger Hamlet founder Harry Lewis dies at 93". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2014-05-14. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  5. ^ Seitz, John L. (May 5, 2017). "Marilyn Lewis Of Hamburger Hamlet, Cardinali Fame Died Wednesday" (PDF). The Beverly Hills Courier. Retrieved May 5, 2017.[permanent dead link]
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