Came from a theatrical family. His father was one-half of a double act, "Parker and Decker", who often performed in black-face. Lew had a background in vaudeville and was helped in his career by
Milton Berle and
Bob Hope. He entertained troops during the war in the South Pacific as part of the USO. Appeared on the musical comedy stage after the war. Toured in the "Ole Olsen" part of "Hellzapoppin'". Active on television from the early 1950's, best-known as "Lew Marie", father of
That Girl (1966).
