
David Lewis
ActingAbout David Lewis
David Lewis (October 19, 1916 – December 11, 2000) was an American actor, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was best known for being the original actor to portray Edward Quartermaine from 1978 to 1993 on the American soap opera General Hospital. Lewis was a pioneering actor in television, his first televised role occurring in 1949 on the show Captain Video and His Video Rangers. His credits include appearing in seven episodes of Perry Mason and in the recurring role of Warden Crichton in Batman. Lewis appeared on daytime T.V., making his soap debut on Love of Life as a murderer and later playing patriarch Henry Pierce on Bright Promise. Brief guest stints on The Young and the Restless and Days of Our Lives followed. In 1978, he joined the cast of General Hospital in the role of Edward Quartermaine, for which he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama in 1982. Lewis took time off between 1987 and 1988 for medical recovery and departed in 1989 during which time Edward was believed to be dead. Lewis continued to come to the studio, however, to tape his voice so wife Lila could have conversations with him. Lewis made his comeback in November 1991 when Edward came back from the dead and in the summer of 1993, Lewis announced he was retiring permanently.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of David Lewis reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 17 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of David Lewis's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 24% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), David Lewis remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Nero Wolfe, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best David Lewis Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from David Lewis's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of David Lewis.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Nero Wolfe | Mr. Althaus | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Mean Dog Blues | Dr. Caleb Odum | Flop | Similar → |
| 1978 | Standing Tall | Judge Lang | Flop | Similar → |
| 1977 | Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years | Justice Hughes | Flop | Similar → |
| 1973 | Cleopatra Jones | Minor Role (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1969 | Generation | Arlington | Flop | Similar → |
| 1968 | The Boston Strangler | Judge Schroeder | Hit | Similar → |
| 1966 | The Doomsday Flight | Mr. Rierdon | Average | Similar → |
| 1965 | John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! | Cronkite | Flop | Similar → |
| 1964 | Honeymoon Hotel | Mr. Hampton | Flop | Similar → |
| 1962 | A Girl Named Tamiko | US Consul R.C. Harcourt | Flop | Similar → |
| 1962 | Kid Galahad | Otto Danzig | Average | Similar → |
| 1962 | The Spiral Road | Maj. Vlormans | Flop | Similar → |
| 1961 | The Absent-Minded Professor | General Singer | Hit | Similar → |
| 1960 | The Apartment | Al Kirkeby | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | That Certain Feeling | Joe Wickes | Flop | Similar → |
| 1956 | The Scarlet Hour | Dr. Sam Lynbury | Flop | Similar → |
David Lewis - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of David Lewis?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring David Lewis is "Nero Wolfe" with a rating of 8.7/10.
How many movies has David Lewis acted in?
David Lewis has been featured in at least 17 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by David Lewis?
Other notable films include "The Apartment", "The Boston Strangler", and "The Absent-Minded Professor".




