Lewis Sargent was born on August 19, 1903, in Los Angeles, and was one of nine siblings. His father, also named Lewis, was a skilled carpenter, while his older brother, Don Sargent, was a renowned cinematographer in Hollywood, with a career spanning over four decades. In fact, Don Sargent was an early friend and colleague of the esteemed James Wong Howe.
Interestingly, Lewis Sargent's ancestry dates back to 1614, when his ancestor, William Sargent, arrived in America with Captain Smith at Agawam, Massachusetts. Lewis was the third child of Lewis and Elsa Plath Sargent, and was destined to make a name for himself in the world of entertainment.
As a child actor, Lewis began his career in the early days of motion pictures, starring in films such as Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp (1917) until 1935, when he played the role of Tarzan's sidekick in a series produced by Edgar Rice Burroughs. He also played the title role in Huckleberry Finn (1920),shared the lead with a dog in The Call of the Wilderness (1926),and appeared in supporting roles in Oliver Twist (1922) and several other films until 1929.
After hanging up his acting boots, Lewis went on to work as a California State Probation Officer for 20 years, dedicating himself to the rehabilitation of young offenders. In his retirement, he spent much of his time fishing and creating innovative fishing lures.
Lewis Sargent passed away on November 19, 1970, while a patient at the Hollywood West Hospital, and was laid to rest at Valhalla Memorial Park.
