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Lew Ayres

Lew Ayres

Actor, also director · Died December 30, 1996, aged 88 · Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Lew Ayres was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and raised in San Diego, California. A college dropout, he was found by a talent scout in the Coconut Grove nightclub in Los Angeles and entered Hollywood as a bit player. He was leading man to Greta Garbo in The Kiss (1929), but it was the role of Paul Baumer in All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) that was his big break. He was profoundly affected by the anti-war message of that film, and when, in 1942, the popular star of Young Dr. Kildare (1938) and subsequent Dr. Kildare films was drafted, he was a conscientious objector. America was outraged, and theaters vowed never to show his films again, but quietly he achieved the Medical Corps status he had requested, serving as a medic under fire in the South Pacific and as a chaplain's aid in New Guinea and the Phillipines. His return to film after the war was undistinguished until Johnny Belinda (1948) - his role as the sympathetic physician treating the deaf-mute Jane Wyman won him an Academy Award nomination as Best Actor. Subsequent movie roles were scarce; an opportunity to play Dr. Kildare in television was aborted when the network refused to honor his request for no cigarette sponsorship. He continued to act, but in the 1970s put his long experience into a project to bring to the west the philosophy of the East - the resulting film, Altars of the World (1976), while not a box-office success, won critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award. Lew Ayres died in Los Angeles, California on December 30, 1996, just two days after his 88th birthday.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 28, 1908
Died
December 30, 1996 (aged 88)
From
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Works as
Actor, also director
Titles
60 on Motif · 154 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 63% in 30 days

What are Lew Ayres' films like?

Across their 41 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama14 titlesTypical Motif score: 52nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime8 titlesTypical Motif score: 51st percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Motif score: 66th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action3 titlesTypical Motif score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Motif score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Horror3 titlesTypical Motif score: 31st percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Motif score: 85th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Sci-Fi2 titlesTypical Motif score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Sci-Fi movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Motif score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
32%
Bonds
22%
Self
17%
Survival
12%
Society
9%
Power
5%
Ideas
3%
Justice12 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception7 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 40 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 16 · Serious 12 · Dark 12

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 27 · Stylized 13 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 14 · Charged 19 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 19 · Shifting 18 · Whiplash 3

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 22 · Some laughs 14 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 19 · Even-paced 21 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 23 · Engaged 16 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 21 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 8

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 35 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

27 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 12 of 27 analyzed roles.

Hero
12 of 27
Mentor
5 of 27
Ally
4 of 27
Threshold guardian
3 of 27
Shadow
1 of 27
Shapeshifter
1 of 27
Herald
1 of 27
Show the 27 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
28
Warm
13
Melancholic
11
Dread
6
Contemplative
10
Other
33

How their films linger

Hopeful20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy19
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous7
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Lew Ayres' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 28 of their 60 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Lew Ayres' titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

154 credits, 60 with a Motif page; 7 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • These Amazing Shadows(2011)

    as Paul (clip from All Quiet on the Western Front (1930))

    Motif score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Hart to Hart: Crimes of the Hart(1994)

    as Professor Cabel

    Motif score: 64th percentile of all films

  • MGM: When the Lion Roars (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker(1991)

    as actor 'Advise and 'Consent' (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Motif score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Cast the First Stone(1989)

    as Martin

    Motif score: 21st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Outlaws (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Lorimar Henderson

    Motif score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Under Siege (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    as John Pace

  • Lime Street (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 8 episodes · as Henry Wade Culver

  • Finder of Lost Loves (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Oliver Hawthorne

  • Highway to Heaven(1984)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

    Motif score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • The World of Don Camillo(1984)

    as Doc

    Motif score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The A-Team(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Bernie Greene

    Motif score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Hotel (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Nelson O'Neil

  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Motif score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Fame (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Of Mice and Men(1981)

    as Candy

    Motif score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Simon & Simon (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Magnum, P.I.(1980)

    Show 1 episode · as Sidney Dollinger

    Motif score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Reunion (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1980)

    as Bob Hollander

  • Knots Landing(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Andrew Douglas

    Motif score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Letters from Frank (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    as Dan Miller

  • Salem's Lot(1979)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jason Burke

    Motif score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Trapper John, M.D. (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Suddenly, Love (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    as Mr. Graham

  • The Story of Noah (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    as Noah

  • Battlestar Galactica(1978)

    as President Adar

    Motif score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Flying High (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Wilbur Dodson

  • Battlestar Galactica (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as President Adar

  • Damien: Omen II(1978)

    as Bill Atherton

    Motif score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Carl Hooper

    Motif score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • End of the World(1977)

    as Com. Joseph Beckerman

    Motif score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Fantastic Journey (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Rayat

  • Quincy, M.E. (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident(1976)

    as Allen Dulles

    Motif score: 70th percentile of all films

  • That's Entertainment, Part II(1976)

    as (archive footage)

    Motif score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Altars of the World (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Director

  • The Bionic Woman(1976)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Motif score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Wonder Woman(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Kenneth Wilson

    Motif score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Little House on the Prairie(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Motif score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Heatwave! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1974)

    as Dr. Grayson

  • The Questor Tapes(1974)

    as Vaslovik

    Motif score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Magician (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Max Braden

  • Battle for the Planet of the Apes(1973)

    as Mandemus

    Motif score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Hawkins (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Gus Bitterman

  • The Stranger (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    as Prof. Dylan MacAuley

  • Kung Fu(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Beaumont

    Motif score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Streets of San Francisco (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Man (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1972)

    as Noah Calvin

  • The Biscuit Eater(1972)

    as Mr. Ames

    Motif score: 36th percentile of all films

  • She Waits(1972)

    as Dr. Sam Carpenter

    Motif score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Earth II(1971)

    as President Charles Carter Durant

    Motif score: 29th percentile of all films

  • McMillan & Wife(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Motif score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Columbo (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Howard Nicholson

  • San Francisco International Airport (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Mary Tyler Moore Show(1970)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Motif score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • The Interns (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hawaii Five-O(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Comm. Reginald Blackwell · as Dr. Elias Haig · as The Governor

    Motif score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Marcus Welby, M.D.: A Matter of Humanities (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1969)

    as Dr. Andrew Swanson

  • Here Come the Brides (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Cocoon (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    as The Governor

  • ABC Stage 67 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur

  • The F.B.I. (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Marshall Winslow

  • The Big Valley (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Jason Fleet · as Sheriff Roy Kingston

  • Slattery's People (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Carpetbaggers(1964)

    as Mac McAllister

    Motif score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Upper Chamber (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Kraft Suspense Theatre (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Thomas Clay

  • The Virginian (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge John Markham

  • Saints and Sinners (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Advise & Consent(1962)

    as The Vice President

    Motif score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Ben Casey (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Bus Stop (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Route 66(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Motif score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • My Three Sons (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Barbara Stanwyck Show (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Paul Harris

  • The DuPont Show with June Allyson (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Howard Moon

  • Laramie (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Family Nobody Wanted (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    as Carl Doss

  • Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Clint Howard · as Jesse Martin · as Jud Lester

  • One Against Many (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    as Dr. John Mohler

  • Screen Director's Playhouse (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. John Mohler

  • Gunsmoke (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Jonathan Cole

  • Climax! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Bob Kilgore

  • Donovan's Brain(1953)

    as Dr. Patrick J. Cory

    Motif score: 37th percentile of all films

  • No Escape(1953)

    as John Howard Tracy

    Motif score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Omnibus (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1952)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Cavalcade of America (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1952)

    Show 1 episode · as Matt Needham

  • Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • New Mexico(1951)

    as Captain Hunt

    Motif score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Capture(1950)

    as Lin Vanner / Lindley Brown

    Motif score: 34th percentile of all films

  • The Ken Murray Show (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Johnny Belinda(1948)

    as Robert Richardson

    Motif score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Unfaithful(1947)

    as Larry Hannaford

    Motif score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Way of Peace (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1947)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • The Dark Mirror(1946)

    as Scott Elliott

    Motif score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Fingers at the Window(1942)

    as Oliver Duffy

    Motif score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Kildare's Victory(1942)

    as Dr. James Kildare

    Motif score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day(1941)

    as Dr. James Kildare

    Motif score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The People Vs. Dr. Kildare (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1941)

    as Dr. James Kildare

  • Maisie Was a Lady(1941)

    as Bob Rawlston

    Motif score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Dr. Kildare's Crisis (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1940)

    as Dr. James Kildare

  • Dr. Kildare Goes Home(1940)

    as Dr. James Kildare

    Motif score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Golden Fleecing(1940)

    as Henry Twinkle

    Motif score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Kildare's Strange Case (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1940)

    as James Kildare

  • Remember? (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1939)

    as Sky Ames

  • The Secret of Dr. Kildare(1939)

    as James Kildare

    Motif score: 50th percentile of all films

  • These Glamour Girls (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1939)

    as Philip S. Griswold III

  • Calling Dr. Kildare (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1939)

    as Dr. James Kildare

  • Broadway Serenade(1939)

    as James Geoffrey 'Jimmy' Seymour

    Motif score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Ice Follies of 1939(1939)

    as Eddie Burgess

    Motif score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Spring Madness (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1938)

    as Sam Thatcher

  • Young Dr. Kildare (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1938)

    as Dr. James Kildare

  • Rich Man, Poor Girl(1938)

    as Henry Thayer

    Motif score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Holiday(1938)

    as Ned Seton

    Motif score: 96th percentile of all films

  • King of the Newsboys (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1938)

    as Jerry Flynn

  • Scandal Street (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1938)

    as Joe McKnight

  • Hold 'Em Navy (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1937)

    as Tommy Graham

  • The Last Train from Madrid(1937)

    as Bill Dexter

    Motif score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Crime Nobody Saw (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1937)

    as Nick Milburn

  • Murder with Pictures(1936)

    as Kent Murdock

    Motif score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Lady Be Careful (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1936)

    as Chester aka Dynamite

  • Shakedown (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1936)

    as Bob Sanderson

  • Hearts in Bondage(1936)

    Director

    Motif score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Panic on the Air (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1936)

    as Jerry

  • The Leathernecks Have Landed (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1936)

    as Woodruff 'Woody' Davis

  • Silk Hat Kid (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1935)

    as Eddie Howard

  • Spring Tonic (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1935)

    as Caleb Enix

  • The Lottery Lover (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1935)

    as Cadet Frank Harrington

  • Servants' Entrance (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1934)

    as Erik Landstrom

  • She Learned About Sailors (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1934)

    as Larry Wilson

  • Let’s Be Ritzy (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1934)

    as Jimmy Sterling

  • Cross Country Cruise (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1934)

    as Norman Winthrop

  • My Weakness (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1933)

    as Ronnie Gregory

  • Don't Bet on Love (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1933)

    as Bill McCaffrey

  • State Fair(1933)

    as Pat Gilbert

    Motif score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Okay, America! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1932)

    as Larry Wayne

  • Night World (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1932)

    as Michael Rand

  • The Cohens and Kellys in Hollywood (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1932)

    as Lew Ayres

  • The Impatient Maiden (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1932)

    as Dr. Myron Brown

  • Heaven on Earth (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1931)

    as States

  • The Spirit of Notre Dame(1931)

    as Edward Aloysius "Bucky" O'Brian

    Motif score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Up for Murder (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1931)

    as Robert Marshall

  • Iron Man (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1931)

    as Kid Mason

  • Many a Slip (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1931)

    as Jerry Brooks

  • East Is West (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1930)

    as Billy Benson

  • The Doorway to Hell(1930)

    as Louie Ricarno

    Motif score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Common Clay (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1930)

    as Hugh Fullerton

  • All Quiet on the Western Front(1930)

    as Paul Bäumer

    Motif score: 98th percentile of all films

  • The Kiss (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1929)

    as Pierre

  • Big News(1929)

    as Copyboy (uncredited)

    Motif score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Sophomore (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1929)

    as Sophomore Fraternity Brother (uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 153 titles from 1929 to 1994; peak year 1977.

Biggest box office

Damien: Omen II (1978)

$27M worldwide

Highest rated

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

Motif 98th

Most popular right now

Salem's Lot (1979)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19291994

Peak 1977 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 6 Motif titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting151 of 153: 151 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Motif score52ndDirecting2 of 153: 2 only directing, 0 with another role

By decade

1920s3 · acting1930s44 · 43 acting · 1 crew1940s13 · acting1950s17 · acting1960s19 · acting1970s38 · 37 acting · 1 crew1980s16 · acting1990s3 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 13% of 15 roles
294469

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Lew Ayres' films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 50th percentile, the median of all 44; across their 40 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 52nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 40

Approval · how many liked their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 40

Reach · how many have seen their films

40thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 40

Motif score across 60 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th21
  • 25th to 49th17
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

26 of their 60 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser26
  • Broadly Agreed11
  • Mixed16

Most divisive · actor

The Spirit of Notre Dame (1931)

71st percentile spread · 37% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

Motif 98th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 38 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 46. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Lew Ayres' work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 Motif titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 77 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 19 · mildMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 20 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 30 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 74 · intenseMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Lew Ayres work with?

People who share at least 2 of Lew Ayres' Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Walter Kingsford shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles