By the time that he was 20, Lewis Stone had turned prematurely grey. He enlisted to fight in the Spanish American War and when he returned, he returned to be a writer. This turned to acting and he began to appear in films during the middle teens. His career was again interrupted by war as he served in the cavalry during World War I. After the war, he returned to films and quickly graduated to lead roles. With his distinguished look and grey hair, he was able to play the roles of well mannered romantic men. In 1921, Lewis starred in _Don't Neglect Your Wife . He suffered a heart attack and died in 1953 after appearing in over 200 films.
Stones death was a particularly tragic one. A group of rowdy teenagers had invaded his meticulously kept garden, and he ran out to prevent damage and ask them to leave. The effort proved too much for the gallant 73-year-old and he collapsed of a heart attack, dying almost instantly.
He had a lifetime contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and appears in the Guinness Book of World Records as "Artist with the Longest Contract to One Studio". He signed with them in 1924 at the very start of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and remained with them as a contract player until his death in 1953, a total of 29 years.
Fought in the Spanish-American War (1898).
Fought in World War l.
Stone enlisted during the Spanish-American War, was sent to Cuba, and was promoted to Sergeant. He served as an orderly during the Battle of San Juan Hill.
Clarence Brown, who directed Stone in eight features at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, said of the actor, "He is the master motion picture technician today as he was in the silent days. He can get more out of a glance or a twist of the head than many actors can with a whole bag of dramatic gestures. He is always telling the audience what he is thinking about. That is genuine art. yet he retains his restraint better than any actor have ever known. He is one player whom I would not hesitate to put the back of the camera because he frequently gets more out of a scene from the back of the neck than some actors can from a full face shot. As a director, Ill ask for nothing better than Lewis Stone.".
Stone was waiting delivery of the script for "Sabrina" when he died of a heart attack.
Had a yacht called "the Serena".
Stones hair turned gray when he was 20.
Although Stone was too old to actively serve during World War II, the Spanish-Anerican War and World War I veteran served as Lieutenant Colonel in the California National Guard and organized the Evacuation Regiment on the Pacific Coast.
Was a favorite co-star of Greta Garbo. He co-starred with her in seven films: A Woman of Affairs , Wild Orchids , Romance (1930) , Inspiration , Mata Hari , Grand Hotel (1932/I) and Queen Christina .
"The Bowery After Dark" was his first New York stage role.
Lewis Stone passed away on September 12, 1953, two months away from what would have been his 74th birthday on November 15.
He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6526 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.
Following his death, he was interred at Angelus Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
Apperared in the trailer of "Saratoga" addressing the audience directly to the camera. Jean Harlow had died before the films completion.
