Lew Ayres was an American actor, best known for starring as Paul in All Quiet on the Western Front and for playing Dr. Kildare in several movies, which was apt since originally he had studied medicine at the University of Arizona. Ayres was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and reared in San Diego, California. Ayres began acting in bit player roles in films in 1927. He was discovered that year playing banjo in the Henry Halstead Orchestra as Halstead was recording one of the earliest Vitaphone movie shorts called Carnival Night in Paris . Ayres wrote, "I was a member of Henry Halstead's... orchestra in 1927 at the Mission Beach Ballroom in San Diego, California for the summer. My instruments were tenor banjo, long-neck banjo and guitar. After a hiatus, I rejoined Mr. Halstead with a new group, including Phil Harris, on New Year's Eve the same year for the opening night of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, a memorable occasion." Ayres played opposite Greta Garbo in 1929's The Kiss, but it was his leading role in 1930's All Quiet on the Western Front which made him a star.
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| Birthdate: | December 28, 1908 |
| Birthplace: | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Date of death: | December 30, 1996 |
| Height: | 5' 9" |
| Also known as: | Lewis Frederick Ayre III, Lewis Ayres |