Louis Hayward facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Louis Hayward
Louis Hayward in Anthony Adverse (1936)
Born	Louis Charles Hayward (1909-03-19)19 March 1909 Johannesburg, South Africa
Died	21 February 1985(1985-02-21) (aged 75) Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1930–1974
Spouse(s)	Ida Lupino ​ ​ (m. 1938; div. 1945)​ Peggy Morrow Field ​ ​ (m. 1946; div. 1950)​ June Hanson ​ (m. 1953)​
Children	1
Awards	Bronze Star Medal

Louis Hayward and June Duprez in And Then There Were None (1945)

Louis Charles Hayward (born March 19, 1909 – died February 21, 1985) was an actor from South Africa. He became famous for his roles in many films and TV shows. He was also a British-American citizen.

Early Life and Acting Start

Louis Hayward was born in Johannesburg, South South Africa. He went to school in France and England. One of his schools was Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith, London. Before becoming an actor, he even managed a night club for a short time. But his real dream was to act. He joined a theater group to start his acting journey.

Starting in England

Louis Hayward quickly became a student of famous writer and director Noël Coward. He began acting in plays in London. Some of these plays included Dracula. He also appeared in a play called The Church Mouse.

In the early 1930s, he started acting in British movies. Some of his first films were Self Made Lady (1932) and The Man Outside (1933). He played the main character in Chelsea Life (1933). He also had supporting roles in films like Sorrell and Son (1933).

He also performed in a musical by Noël Coward called Conversation Piece (1934). He then played the lead role in The Love Test (1935). This movie was directed by Michael Powell.

Moving to the United States

In 1935, Louis Hayward moved to Broadway in the United States. He performed in another Noël Coward play called Point Valaine. Even though the play was not very successful, Hayward won an award. This award was called the Donaldson award. It was an early version of the famous Tony Awards. Because of this award, he signed a contract with MGM. This meant he would make four movies with them.

Becoming a Movie Star

After his stage work, Louis Hayward got a role in the movie The Flame Within (1935). He then appeared in A Feather in Her Hat. He also had supporting roles in Absolute Quiet (1935) and Trouble for Two (1936).

His career really took off when he appeared in the big movie Anthony Adverse (1936). He played the father of the main character. His marriage to actress Ida Lupino also made him more well-known.

He played the main male role in The Luckiest Girl in the World (1936). He also supported other actors in The Woman I Love (1937).

Louis Hayward starred in Midnight Intruder (1938) and Condemned Women (1938).

Playing Simon Templar

Hayward was the first actor to play the famous character Simon Templar. This was in the movie The Saint in New York (1938). The movie was a success. It led to a series of films about "The Saint." However, other actors played the role in the next few movies. Louis Hayward did play Simon Templar again later in The Saint's Return in 1953.

He also supported Danielle Darrieux and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in The Rage of Paris (1938).

Working with Edward Small

In 1938, Hayward starred in The Duke of West Point. The producer, Edward Small, signed him to make more films. Small helped Hayward become a big star. He gave him two roles in The Man in the Iron Mask (1939). This movie was a big hit.

Small also cast Hayward in My Son, My Son! (1940). Hayward then appeared in Dance, Girl, Dance (1940). He also starred in The Son of Monte Cristo (1940). This was another adventure film. He also worked with his wife, Ida Lupino, in Ladies in Retirement (1941).

Military Service in World War II

During World War II, Louis Hayward joined the United States Marine Corps in 1942. He led a special photography team. This team filmed the Battle of Tarawa. Their documentary, With the Marines at Tarawa, won an Academy Award in 1944. Hayward was also given the Bronze Star Medal for his service.

Return to Acting

After the war, Louis Hayward returned to Hollywood. He played Philip Lombard in the 1945 movie And Then There Were None.

He also starred with Jane Russell in Young Widow (1946). He supported Hedy Lamarr in The Strange Woman (1946). He went back to adventure films with Monte Cristo's Revenge (1947).

Hayward made a thriller called Repeat Performance (1947). He then starred in The Black Arrow Strikes (1948), another adventure movie. He also appeared in Ruthless (1948) and Walk a Crooked Mile (1948).

He traveled to Italy to make The Masked Pirate (1951). He also starred in House by the River (1950). He made several adventure films for Columbia Pictures. These included Fortunes of Captain Blood (1950) and Dick Turpin's Ride (1951). He also starred in The Son of Dr. Jekyll (1951).

He appeared in Lady in the Iron Mask (1951) and Captain Blood, Fugitive (1952).

Television Career

Louis Hayward started acting on television in 1952. He appeared in an episode of The Ford Television Theatre. He also starred in and helped produce Storm Over Africa (1953). He played Simon Templar again in The Saint's Return (1954).

He starred in a TV series called The Lone Wolf in 1954. This show had 39 episodes. He also appeared in many other TV shows. These included Matinee Theatre, Climax!, and Lux Video Theatre.

In the 1960s, he performed on stage in the musical Camelot. He played the role of King Arthur.

Hayward also starred in the British TV series The Pursuers (1961–62). He appeared in episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Rawhide, and Burke's Law.

Later Career and Recognition

Some of Louis Hayward's last films were Chuka (1967) and The Christmas Kid (1967). He also had roles in The Phynx (1970) and Terror in the Wax Museum (1973). His very last acting role was in a TV show called The Magician in 1974.

In 1960, Louis Hayward was honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This is a special award for actors who have done great work in movies and TV.

Personal Life

Louis Hayward married actress and director Ida Lupino in 1938. They got divorced in 1945 after he returned from the war. He then married Peggy Morrow in 1946, but they divorced in 1950.

He had one son named Dana (who passed away in 2007) with his third wife, June Hanson (who passed away in 1998).

Death

Louis Hayward passed away on February 21, 1985, in Palm Springs, California. He was 75 years old. He died from lung cancer.

Selected Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Louis Hayward para niños