Archived // Philanthropist Spotlight
Marilyn Lewis :
From Hamburgers to Hemlines...She
By: Mimi Makabi
By: Mimi Makabi
If you ever look up the word “accomplishmentarian”, don’t be surprised to find Marilyn Lewis’s name right next to it. A classic example, Lewis is living proof that anything is possible as long as you recognize your God-given talents, work your tail off to develop them, and then use them towards accomplishing something of lasting worth.
Throughout her life, Lewis has gained fame and success from her numerous professional accomplishments, some of which include: becoming the glamorous helmstress (with actor/husband Harry) of the legendary restaurant chain Hamburger Hamlet and later opening Gardens on Glendon and Kate Mantilini; becoming one of the first woman CEOs of a multi-million dollar company; designing her own successful couture clothing line-Cardinali; teaching a four-credit course in marketing at American University; producing feature films on cultural icons Andy Warhol and Ayn Rand;and author of her captivating memoir titled, "MARILYN, ARE YOU SURE YOU CAN COOK?" HE ASKED.
But behind this success, there is a truly unique and inspirational story—one filled with integrity, passion, courage, love, instinct, and above all, righteousness.Born in Cleveland Ohio, Lewis hitchhiked her way to California by the age of 14, in hopes of making it as a Hollywood dress designer. She explains, “I was a shy, soft-spoken, little girl with a very unhappy existence. I think you either walk down one street, and become a street child, or you take the other road, and make something of yourself…whatever that is.” She continues, “My childhood must have fostered the need for beauty, the need for doing things right, which was what America was all about in the 50’s and 60’s.”
Lewis might not have had much education or money to back her up at the time, but unbeknown to her, she had the two right ingredients to prepare her for success—an attitude to “do things right”, and a God-given talent she calls a “sensual peripheral sense”. In her words, “I was able to create style; to become a dress designer; to have a taste level that appeals to everybody across the nation; to make a menu of food people love to eat…All with no education!”Lewis continues, “I don’t manufacture how to do things. I’m too shy. I will not push myself forward. But, if I get forward because of something I did right, then I’m there!”
In 1950, she met Harry Lewis, an aspiring actor, who told her about his idea for a restaurant called Hamburger Hamlet. Within few months, fueled with determination, she locked a location on the Sunset strip and the first Hamburger Hamlet was born. With no cooking experience, Lewis developed a simple, yet delicious menu and started feeding ‘theglitterati in Hollywood’. The restaurant was an immediate success and became a popular hang-out for the stars. Lewis shares, “Meeting my husband, the love of my life, my success…isn’t it all God-made? I think all of this has happened supernaturally, and I feel very blessed.”
Throughout her life, Lewis has gained fame and success from her numerous professional accomplishments, some of which include: becoming the glamorous helmstress (with actor/husband Harry) of the legendary restaurant chain Hamburger Hamlet and later opening Gardens on Glendon and Kate Mantilini; becoming one of the first woman CEOs of a multi-million dollar company; designing her own successful couture clothing line-Cardinali; teaching a four-credit course in marketing at American University; producing feature films on cultural icons Andy Warhol and Ayn Rand;and author of her captivating memoir titled, "MARILYN, ARE YOU SURE YOU CAN COOK?" HE ASKED.
But behind this success, there is a truly unique and inspirational story—one filled with integrity, passion, courage, love, instinct, and above all, righteousness.Born in Cleveland Ohio, Lewis hitchhiked her way to California by the age of 14, in hopes of making it as a Hollywood dress designer. She explains, “I was a shy, soft-spoken, little girl with a very unhappy existence. I think you either walk down one street, and become a street child, or you take the other road, and make something of yourself…whatever that is.” She continues, “My childhood must have fostered the need for beauty, the need for doing things right, which was what America was all about in the 50’s and 60’s.”
Lewis might not have had much education or money to back her up at the time, but unbeknown to her, she had the two right ingredients to prepare her for success—an attitude to “do things right”, and a God-given talent she calls a “sensual peripheral sense”. In her words, “I was able to create style; to become a dress designer; to have a taste level that appeals to everybody across the nation; to make a menu of food people love to eat…All with no education!”Lewis continues, “I don’t manufacture how to do things. I’m too shy. I will not push myself forward. But, if I get forward because of something I did right, then I’m there!”
In 1950, she met Harry Lewis, an aspiring actor, who told her about his idea for a restaurant called Hamburger Hamlet. Within few months, fueled with determination, she locked a location on the Sunset strip and the first Hamburger Hamlet was born. With no cooking experience, Lewis developed a simple, yet delicious menu and started feeding ‘theglitterati in Hollywood’. The restaurant was an immediate success and became a popular hang-out for the stars. Lewis shares, “Meeting my husband, the love of my life, my success…isn’t it all God-made? I think all of this has happened supernaturally, and I feel very blessed.”
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