The Myth of the Hollywood War Hero: Lew Ayres, Conscience, and World War II with Lesley Coffin
Author Lesley L. Coffin joins Holley to explore the life and legacy of Lew Ayres, a lesser known yet fascinating figure in classic Hollywood. Together, they discuss Lesley’s newly reprinted book Lew Ayres: Hollywood’s Conscientious Objector, tracing his rise to fame in All Quiet on the Western Front and the ways that role shaped both his career and public image. They also examine the misconceptions surrounding his decision to become a conscientious objector during World War II, the insights revealed through his letters and unpublished writings, and his deep intellectual and spiritual curiosity, including the documentary he considered his most important work. Lesley reflects on the challenges of writing against established narratives and what Ayres’s story reveals about celebrity, public perception, and the enduring power of myth in popular culture.
Lesley Coffin Biography
Lesley L. Coffin is a film scholar with a master’s degree in star studies from New York University. In addition to her work online as a journalist, interviewer, and critic, she is author of Hitchcock’s Stars: Alfred Hitchcock and the Hollywood Studio System and Lew Ayres: Hollywood’s Conscientious Objector, the latter published by University Press of Mississippi.
About Lew Ayres: Hollywood’s Conscientious Objector
Lew Ayres (1908–1996) became known to the public when he portrayed the leading character in the epic war film All Quiet on the Western Front. The role made him a household name, introduced him to his closest friends, brought him to the attention of his first two wives, and would ultimately overshadow the rest of his career. Becoming a movie star had been his first and only ambition as a child, but once he achieved it, he was never fully satisfied with his choice of profession. Although lacking a formal education, Ayres spent the rest of his life pursuing a wide range of intellectual studies, interests, and hobbies. He even considered ending his acting career after just a few years to pursue what he saw as a more “respectable and fulfilling” path as a director.
Ayres was given not one but two comeback opportunities, in 1938 and 1945. He was cast in the Dr. Kildare film series, where he demonstrated both his skill in comedy and his unique ability to bring sincerity to even the most outlandish or idealistic characters. Yet he was willing to give up his star status to follow his moral compass—first as a conscientious objector and ultimately as a noncombat medic during World War II. To the surprise of many, he was welcomed back to Hollywood with open arms and offered new opportunities despite his objector status.
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Lew Ayres: Hollywood’s Conscientious Objector: University Press of Mississippi | Bookshop Ebook
Books Mentioned: The Stars Appear by Richard Dyer Maccann Bookshop
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