As a little boy, Peter Lewis had a front-row seat to the glamorous world of his mother, the legendary Loretta Young. "I remember watching her at her dressing table," he shares with Closer. "The way she would transform herself was like watching an artist work on a canvas. I was absolutely mesmerized by it." Loretta wasn't just a mother to Peter; she was a star—a beacon of beauty, talent, and resilience.
A Star Is Born: Loretta Young's Golden Era
Loretta Young, the Oscar-winning actress for her role in 1947's The Farmer's Daughter, was already a household name when Peter, her youngest child, entered the world. She was a trailblazer in Hollywood, hosting the long-running anthology series The Loretta Young Show. "I remember her being happiest during the peak of her career," Peter reminisces. "She was like the sun, and we were all planets orbiting around her." Despite her public success, Loretta carried her fair share of private struggles, finding solace and strength in her faith.
Faith and Fame: Loretta's Spiritual Side
Even amidst the glitz and glamour, Loretta leaned heavily on her faith. "She was someone who could navigate transitions, even if they were painful," Peter explains. On The Loretta Young Show, which aired from 1953 to 1961, the elegantly dressed star often included a Bible verse in her weekly introduction. "She was deeply religious and felt it was her duty to set an example," Peter, now 76, says. Viewers resonated with her positive message, making the show a massive hit. "We moved to Hollywood, where my parents bought an entire city block and built a compound," Peter recalls. "Our home became a hub for Hollywood royalty. Cary Grant and William Holden were regular guests, and I'd sneak out of bed to watch them entertain each other from the stairs."
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A Complicated Legacy: Behind the Scenes
For all her outward success, Loretta's life wasn't without its challenges. Her relationship with her eldest daughter, Judy Lewis, was fraught with tension. Loretta famously told the press that she adopted Judy in 1935, but the truth was far more complex—Judy was actually her biological daughter with Clark Gable. "One Mother's Day, during dinner, my mom and Judy got into a big argument," Peter reveals. "That's how I learned the truth." The stress of producing a weekly series also took its toll on Loretta. "My dad was producing the show, but she was the star, so there was a power struggle," Peter continues. "Their marriage couldn't withstand the pressure." At one point, Loretta was hospitalized for exhaustion during the show's second season. "She pushed herself so hard that she became dependent on prescription drugs," Peter says. "Eventually, the stress overwhelmed her, leading to a nervous breakdown."
Triumph and Transformation: The Aftermath
Despite the challenges, The Loretta Young Show went on to win its star three Emmys and set a record as the longest-running prime-time series hosted by a woman. After the show ended, Peter cherishes the time he spent with his mother. "My siblings had moved out, and I was the only one left at home with her," he recalls. "I felt like I became her closest confidant." Later in life, Loretta stepped away from acting to focus on charity work. She passed away in 2000 at the age of 87. "The biggest lesson I learned from her is that life is always changing," Peter reflects. "But it's up to you to ensure those changes are for the better."
