George J. Lewis

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George J. Lewis
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
DiedDecember 8, 1995(1995-12-08) (aged 91)
, US
Years active1923–1969
SpouseMary Louise Lohman (March 1928 – 1995)

George J. Lewis (December 10, 1903 – December 8, 1995) was a Mexican-born actor who appeared in many films and eventually TV series from the 1920s through the 1960s, usually specializing in westerns. He is probably best known for playing Don Alejandro de la Vega, who was Don Diego de la Vega's father in the 1950s Disney television series Zorro. Lewis co-starred in Zorro's Black Whip and had a minor role in Ghost of Zorro before starring as Don Alejandro in the Disney series.

Career

Lewis broke into films in the 1920s, and his handsome presence led to leading roles in a Universal Pictures short-subject series, The Collegians. The arrival of sound movies came as a blessing for Lewis, who was bilingual. He spoke English without any trace of accent, and could play character or dialect roles of practically any ethnicity. His language skills earned him leading roles in Spanish-dialogue features, produced by American studios for international release. He also played supporting roles in Educational Pictures shorts.

Most of Lewis's screen work was in low-budget films, although he can be seen in a few major productions (in Casablanca he's an Arab peddler with a monkey). Some of his roles were sympathetic; he played the male leads in the 1944 serial

Three Stooges films as Vernon Dent's knife-wielding conspirator in the Stooge short Malice in the Palace, and its remake, Rumpus in the Harem.[1] He was also featured with the Stooges (as George Lewis) in Hollywood's final two-reel comedy release, Sappy Bull Fighters
.

Many low-budget filmmakers scored successes in early television, and many familiar faces turned up in half-hour action fare.

Lewis appeared in the first two episodes of The Lone Ranger which were "Enter the Lone Ranger" and "The Lone Ranger Fights On". He was a villain who helped betray a group of Texas Rangers and led them all into a deadly ambush, with the series star of course being the lone survivor. He played a Native American in an Adventures of Superman episode called "Test of a Warrior."

Lewis was cast as General

Don C. Harvey) in establishing the short-term Bear Flag Republic
.

Lewis continued to work in dozens of television episodes including

Cheyenne
until he retired in 1969.

Death

Lewis died of a stroke in 1995, two days before his 92nd birthday.[1]

Selected filmography

Selected television

Year Title Role Notes
1953 Lone Ranger Season 1, Episode 1, "Enter the Lone Ranger"
1953 Lone Ranger Season 1, Episode 2, "The Lone Ranger Fights On"
1955 Adventures of Superman Episode "Test of a Warrior"
1953 Death Valley Days Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo Season , Episode "The Bear Flag"
1964-1966 Daniel Boone 3 episodes
1957-1958 Cheyenne 2 episodes
1957-1961 Zorro Don Alejandro de la Vega. Father of Don Diego de la Vega aka Zorro 42 episodes, Disney anthology television series

References

  1. ^ a b Shifres, Ed. The Three Stooges Journal #95 (2000) p. 8

External links