Peter Lawford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Peter Lawford
Lawford in 1955
Born	Peter Sydney Ernest Aylen (1923-09-07)7 September 1923 London, England
Died	24 December 1984(1984-12-24) (aged 61) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Citizenship	United Kingdom United States
Occupation	Actor film producer
Years active	1930–1984
Spouse(s)	Patricia Kennedy ​ ​ (m. 1954; div. 1966)​ Mary Rowan ​ ​ (m. 1971; div. 1975)​ Deborah Gould ​ ​ (m. 1976; div. 1977)​ Patricia Seaton ​ (m. 1984)​
Children	4, including Christopher Lawford
Parent(s)	Sydney Turing Barlow Lawford (father)

Peter Sydney Ernest Lawford (born Aylen; September 7, 1923 – December 24, 1984) was a famous actor from England and America.

He was part of a well-known group of entertainers called the "Rat Pack". He was also related to important political figures, including US President John F. Kennedy and senators Robert F. Kennedy and Edward Kennedy. From the 1940s to the 1960s, Peter Lawford was a big star. He acted in many popular movies. Later in his life, he was often more famous for his life outside of acting.

Early Life and Childhood

Peter Lawford was born in London, England, in 1923. He was the only child of Sir Sydney Turing Barlow Lawford and May Sommerville Bunny. His parents got married when he was one year old.

Peter's family had connections to important British families. His uncle's wife was related to a Scottish Earl. Another aunt was married to a judge in Australia. An artist named Rupert Bunny was also a relative through his mother's side.

Growing Up

Peter spent his early years in France. Because his family traveled a lot, he did not go to a regular school. Instead, teachers and nannies taught him at home. His education included learning tennis and ballet.

When he was about seven years old in 1930, Peter had his first acting role in an English movie called Poor Old Bill. He also had a small, uncredited part in A Gentleman of Paris in 1931.

His Accident

When Peter was 14, he had a serious accident. His right arm went through a glass door. This caused nerve damage, making it hard for him to use his forearm and hand. He learned to hide this injury later on. Because of his arm, he could not join the military, which his parents had hoped for. So, Peter decided to become an actor. This decision even led one of his aunts to change her will and not leave him a large amount of money.

Acting Career

Starting in Hollywood

Lawford in The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)

In 1938, Peter Lawford was visiting Hollywood when a talent scout noticed him. He took a screen test and got a small role in the movie Lord Jeff.

When World War II started, Peter's family was in Florida. They soon realized they were stuck because their money was in Britain, which was at war. Peter, who was 16, got a job parking cars. When he saved enough money, he went back to Hollywood. He worked as a movie theater usher until he started getting more acting jobs.

Small Roles and Big Breaks

During World War II, many movies were made about the war. Peter often played military characters, though usually in small, uncredited roles. You could see him as a pilot in Mrs. Miniver (1942) and Eagle Squadron (1942).

His first important role in a major movie was in A Yank at Eton (1942). He played a snobby bully in this popular film. He continued to appear in many films, often as a soldier or student.

In June 1943, Peter's career took a big step forward when he signed a long-term contract with MGM, a major movie studio. They signed him for a specific role in The White Cliffs of Dover (1944). He played a young soldier during World War II in this movie.

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

Becoming a Leading Actor

In Royal Wedding (1951)

Peter Lawford's first main role was in Son of Lassie (1945), which was a big success. He then starred in musicals like Two Sisters from Boston (1946) and It Happened in Brooklyn (1947) with Frank Sinatra.

In 1946, a magazine poll voted him the most popular actor in Hollywood. He received thousands of fan letters each week. With many older actors away at war, Peter became a new romantic star at MGM.

He got great reviews for his role in the musical Good News (1947). He used an American accent for the part and was praised for his performance.

Peter Lawford and Elizabeth Taylor promoting Little Women (1949).

Peter starred with Esther Williams in On an Island with You (1948). He also appeared with Fred Astaire and Judy Garland in Easter Parade (1948), which was a huge hit.

He played Laurie in MGM's movie Little Women (1949) alongside June Allyson and Elizabeth Taylor. He continued to star in many films, including Royal Wedding (1951) with Fred Astaire.

In 1953, MGM let Peter go from his contract. His first movie after leaving MGM was the comedy It Should Happen to You (1954), where he starred with Judy Holliday and Jack Lemmon.

Moving to Television

After his time at MGM, Peter Lawford started working in television. He appeared as a guest star on shows like General Electric Theater and Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

In 1954, Peter married Patricia Kennedy, who was the sister of Senator John F. Kennedy. Peter became a strong supporter and helped raise money for the Senator's campaigns.

Peter had a regular role in a TV comedy show called Dear Phoebe (1954–55), but it only lasted for 32 episodes. He then went back to guest starring on many other TV shows.

He got another main role in a TV series called The Thin Man (1957–59). This show was based on a famous detective novel and ran for 72 episodes.

The Rat Pack and Politics

Members of the "Rat Pack", from left to right: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Lawford, and Joey Bishop

In 1959, the famous singer Frank Sinatra invited Peter Lawford to join a group of entertainers known as the "Rat Pack". Sinatra also helped Peter get a role in the movie Never So Few (1959).

Peter Lawford and Frank Sinatra then starred together in Oceans 11 (1960). Peter had first heard the idea for the movie from a director. He bought the rights to the story in 1958.

In 1960, Peter became a U.S. citizen. This allowed him to vote for his brother-in-law, John F. Kennedy, in the presidential election that year. Peter and other members of the "Rat Pack" actively helped campaign for Kennedy and the Democratic Party. Frank Sinatra even playfully called him "Brother-in-Lawford" during this time.

Peter also acted in other films like Exodus (1960) and The Longest Day (1962), a war movie with many famous actors.

Becoming a Producer

In 1961, Peter Lawford and his manager, Milt Ebbins, started their own production company called Chrislaw Productions. It was named after Peter's son, Christopher. They made a deal to produce movies and TV shows. One of their first projects was the action film Johnny Cool (1963).

Peter continued to act, starring with Bette Davis in Dead Ringer (1964). He also produced the film Billie (1965).

Around this time, Peter had a disagreement with Frank Sinatra. Sinatra replaced him in the movie Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964). This happened because President Kennedy, Peter's brother-in-law, changed his plans to stay at Sinatra's house during a trip. The President's brother, Robert F. Kennedy, was worried about Sinatra's connections and suggested the President stay elsewhere for better security. Sinatra was very upset, believing Peter had not helped him. This led to Peter being removed from the "Rat Pack."

Peter and his first wife, Patricia Kennedy, divorced in 1966. He continued to guest star on TV shows like The Wild Wild West and I Spy.

He also produced another film starring himself and Bette Davis, Salt and Pepper (1968). This movie was popular enough for Peter to make a sequel, One More Time (1970).

Later Career

Peter Lawford's later films included Clay Pigeon (1971) and They Only Kill Their Masters (1972). He had a main role in the TV movie Ellery Queen: Don't Look Behind You and appeared on Bewitched. He also had a recurring role on The Doris Day Show (1971–72) and even directed one episode.

He continued to appear in movies and TV shows throughout the 1970s, including Rosebud, Hawaii Five-O, and Fantasy Island.

His very last acting role was in the movie Where Is Parsifal? (1983).

Personal Life

Lawford sailing with his brother-in-law President John F. Kennedy aboard the yacht "Manitou" in August 1962.

Peter Lawford's first marriage was in 1954 to Patricia Kennedy. She was the younger sister of John F. Kennedy, who was a U.S. Senator at the time. Peter and Patricia had four children: a son, Christopher Lawford (who also became an actor and author), and three daughters named Sydney, Victoria, and Robin.

Peter became a U.S. citizen on April 23, 1960, so he could vote for his brother-in-law in the presidential election. He and other members of the "Rat Pack" helped campaign for Kennedy. Peter and Patricia Kennedy divorced in February 1966.

Peter married his second wife, Mary Rowan, in October 1971. They separated two years later and divorced in 1975. In June 1976, he married Deborah Gould, but they separated after two months and divorced in 1977. Peter then met Patricia Seaton, who became his fourth and final wife in July 1984, just a few months before he passed away.

Death

Peter Lawford passed away on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1984, in Los Angeles. He was 61 years old. He died from heart failure, and he had also been suffering from kidney and liver problems. His body was cremated, and his ashes were first placed at a cemetery. However, due to a disagreement, his ashes were later removed and scattered into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California by his widow.

Peter Lawford has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in television. It is located at 6920 Hollywood Boulevard. A plaque with his name was also placed at Westwood Village Memorial Park.

Filmography

Radio Appearances

See also

• Kennedy family tree