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Harry Lewis Obituary
The Los Angeles Times (http://lat.ms/1bqkpkA ) reports Lewis died Sunday at a convalescent home in Beverly Hills. His son, Adam, tells the newspaper that his father was compulsively driven by attention to detail and would cook 30 hamburgers at once.
Lewis was an actor who appeared in the 1948 movie "Key Largo" before founding Hamburger Hamlet chain in 1950 with his future wife, Marilyn.
The restaurants were decorated with movie memorabilia and offered customized hamburgers long before the idea became trendy.
At its peak, the chain had 24 restaurants nationwide. Today there are five.
Lewis and his wife sold the chain for $30 million in the 1980s.
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Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://w ww.latimes.com
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
48 Entries
Harry Simpson
June 9, 2017
Godspeed, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Rest Harry, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Tom R
December 28, 2013
Rest well toots...
June 22, 2013
LET THE LOVE OF GOD SOOTHE YOUR HEART,HE IS OUR COMFORTER IN TIME OF NEED.HE HAS SAID,"I-I MYSELF AM THE ONE THAT IS COMFORTING YOU PEOPLE."ish.51:12....nc
How you can show support
Jeanette Gerald
June 14, 2013
I'm lighting this candle for you so you have our Lord And Saviours everlasting light.
Mason Rivers
June 14, 2013
May the God of all comfort be with you as you struggle to cope with your loss. He knows your pain and promises to be with those that are broken at heart, and those crushed in spirit he saves. May these words bring you a bit of solace at this difficult time.
Barry Wright
June 14, 2013
So sorry to hear of his passing. As a struggling actor in the mid 70's, I ate at the Hollywood Blvd. restaurant quite often. He will be missed......
Alan Miller
June 13, 2013
As a child growing up north of L.A. I could not wait for the special treat of going to Hamburger Hamlet. I saw many movie stars of the time and I will always cherish those exciting days. Thanks for the memories and rest in peace sir.
June 13, 2013
Harry was an incredible business man. But not just that he also was a very kind man. May the family accept my deepest condolences and be assured that many share in your sorrow. As he rest in peace awaiting his resurrection to life on a renewed new earth we will remember his legacy that he has left behind.
Phepsi
June 13, 2013
surely you will be missed by people whom you touch their lives... i'm so lucky to be one of them.. forever will i treasure those happy memories we had during the remaining days...hours & even last minute of your existence.... thank you so much for even a short time you were able to show me how big is your heart... They might look at you as tough but personally you can be as soft & sentimental inside...& not everyone know how you cried like a river with those movies but now they knew it.. .. Wherever you are may you find everlasting happiness,peace,free of suffering & eternal love... We miss you so much until we meet again...
Kennth Hyams
June 13, 2013
When I first went in the sound buisness Mr Lewis was one of my first costumers.They helped me in many ways and no matter how large their company go, were alway very kind to me. A real gentleman in all ways.
Sam Vann II
June 13, 2013
You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
Merle Swenson
June 13, 2013
I happened to meet Harry and Marilyn Lewis in 1979 at Le Hot Club restaurant in Encino, California, which was a side venture of their HH chain at that time. They were both charming people and very concerned with the presentation of their food products.
Matt McGrath
June 13, 2013
RIP. Mr Lewis did a great job in "Key Largo".
June 13, 2013
My condolences for your loss. may the God of comfort be with all of you in the days and wees to come. 2 Corinthans 1:3,4
Ellen Kaye
June 13, 2013
When I first moved to L.A. in 1975, I had a job downtown L.A., and wanted a burger, Everyone said "you must go to Hamburger Heaven"! So, I did, and had something for the very first time...a tuna melt! I had never heard of it, co,ing from NYC, and loved it forever. I cannot count how many times we dropped in because we couldn't think of where to go at the last minute, so it had to be HH! Thanks Harry for all the years and all the bugers, oniong, fries....and Hollywood ambience! Hope you open up one in Heaven (of course!) See you there! R.I.P. and thank you!! May the memory of Harry Lewis live on and never be forgotten.
John Schmid
June 12, 2013
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Jay, Yolanda & Nathan Jacobs
June 12, 2013
To Adam and family,
Your father was a wonderful person, with a warm smile and an exceptional sense of humor. Our sincere condolences on his passing.
Stacy
June 12, 2013
May the God of all comfort be with family and loved ones. (1 Cor. 1:3 & 4)
Misha Investments
June 12, 2013
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Tolbert
June 12, 2013
My condolences to the Lewis family. May the God of all comfort, comfort you during this difficult time.
Cynthia
June 12, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
June 12, 2013
How well we remember harry and marilyn
they were a favorite duo in the social world as well as iconic in the entertainment/food world.
i saw him when i was in rehab for my broken foot last february. Marilyn is in our prayers...
June 12, 2013
Harry Lewis was a gentleman in the restaurant world. Those of us who worked with him in Atlanta loved his kind way with employees and his high standards. Clara
WR Merry Seafoods
June 12, 2013
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
June 12, 2013
With deepest sympathy to the family
June 12, 2013
Prayers coming the families way for their loss
June 12, 2013
My deepest sympathy to the family.
Andy Berk (Mimi Kite's mom)
Bankston
June 12, 2013
We offer our sincere condolences to the Lewis family.may the God of all comfort be with you.
hyde
June 12, 2013
To the family and friends of Mr. Lewis you have my deepest sympathy for your loss. May you rely upon our Creator who has the ability to comfort all at this time. May Mr. Lewis sleep in peace.
Ira Weiss
June 12, 2013
Every one of Harry's customers is saddened by his passing...That is alot of people that he touched over his lifetime. What a great legacy...May his memory keep your hearts warm during this difficult time.
Milton & Viola Morris
June 12, 2013
Thank You Harry for the Great food you gave us.
Lee family
June 12, 2013
May God bless you at this difficult time and bring you comfort as you recall the many happy memories that you shared. I look forward to a better life for all of us at a better time. (Matthew 6:10)
June 12, 2013
Offering my deepest condolences during this difficult time, I'm so very sorry for your loss, death is something we are never prepared for, but please find comfort in knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be no more.
Floyd
June 12, 2013
May you be comforted by the hope of an earth free from sickness and death
Cheryl Polk
June 12, 2013
May God send comfort and strength to Harry's family, friends and fans.
Cheryl Bean
June 11, 2013
Prayers for his many friends, family and fans!!!
Adrienne Radovich Becker
June 11, 2013
My.dearest adam and david and maralyn and numberous grandchildren.harry was a truely amazing and careing and handsome and funny man.he will be loveed and missed .Love adrienne radovich becker the granddaughter of the late jack haley sr the tinman from the wizard of oz
yoda
June 11, 2013
r.i.p. hold the mayo,harry...
June 11, 2013
Sending our prayers and support to your family and to two wonderful sons who continue to carry on the family traditions. Bless you, Mary & Don FitzGerald
Love is the Answer
Patricia A Jublikhan PC
June 11, 2013
David and I always admired your style and cut of cloth.
R.I.P.
XOXO,
Patti
Brian Gandolfo
June 11, 2013
I am so sad for the huge loss to Marilyn, David, Adam and all the grandchildren. My memories of Mr. Lewis are fond and warm as he was a very kind and fair man for whom respect was always deservedly given. He prospered in an era when integrity played a huge part in the success of a person in business and private life...his example should be noted and emulated by those who endeavor such successes today, as our world could certainly benefit now from such lost qualities. He was and is memorable indeed.
Leading Edge Computers
June 11, 2013
You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
Angela James
June 11, 2013
I ate at Hamburger Hamlet many times when I lived in L.A. and every time I traveled back, I always made it a point of going there. The last time I was there was shortly before they closed the one off Sunset Strip. Sad closing; sad passing.
Debora
June 11, 2013
REST IN PEACE. MY FIREND MY GOD BLESSED. THE FAMILY.
Scott Chamberland
June 11, 2013
Rest in Peace
Marc Goldstein
June 11, 2013
I wanted to express my condolences to Adam, David and Marilyn. Harry was a tremendous man who will be sorely missed. I shall have very fond memories of him.
Tanisha Thompson
June 11, 2013
To the family of Mr.Lewis,
I am sorry for your loss. My prayers are with the family.
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