Ayres Family Genealogy & History

Lew Ayres, born Lewis Frederick Ayres III, was a renowned American actor whose illustrious career spanned 65 years. He gained fame for his iconic role as Paul Bäumer in "All Quiet on the Western Front" (1930) and as Dr. Kildare in a series of nine films. Ayres also received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in "Johnny Belinda" (1948). Known for his transition from film to television, he hosted "Frontier Justice" and earned a Golden Globe for his documentary "Altars of the World" (1976).

Ayres was born in Minneapolis to Irma Bevernick and Louis Ayres, who divorced when he was four. His mother remarried, and the family moved to San Diego, where Ayres lived with his stepfather, William Gilmore, along with his half-siblings.

Pam Ayres MBE, born 14 March 1947, is a renowned British poet, comedian, and television presenter, celebrated for her humorous and relatable poetry. Rising to fame after her 1975 appearance on Opportunity Knocks, she has published multiple poetry books and performed in a one-woman stage show for the Queen. Ayres has been a staple on BBC Radio with her series Ayres on the Air and has graced TV shows like Countdown and QI. Her works, including the beloved poem "Oh, I Wish I'd Looked After Me Teeth," have secured her place as one of Britain's best-selling poets.

Pam Ayres was born in Stanford in the Vale, Berkshire, the youngest of six children to Stanley and Phyllis Ayres. Her father, a former sergeant in the Grenadier Guards during WWII, worked as a linesman for the Southern Electricity Board, providing Ayres with a "country childhood" upbringing in a small council house.

David Ayres, born on August 12, 1977, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender renowned for his unexpected NHL debut as an emergency back-up goaltender (EBUG) for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2020. This historic performance, which resulted in a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, made Ayres the first EBUG in NHL history to secure a win and the oldest NHL goaltender to win his regular-season debut at age 42. His story gained widespread attention, leading to a Disney feature film. Ayres has also served as a head coach for the Port Perry Lumberjacks and the Vermilion County Bobcats.

David Ayres hails from Whitby, Ontario, where he grew up playing hockey alongside his late father, Bob, and brother, Chris, who were also goaltenders. In 2004, he underwent a kidney transplant with the organ donated by his mother, Mary. Ayres was married in 2017 to Sarah, but they separated and filed for divorce in 2022.

Leah Ayres Kalish, born Leah Simpson on May 28, 1957, is an American former actress renowned for her role as Janice Kent in the martial arts film "Bloodsport" alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme. She also gained recognition as Valerie Bryson on the daytime serial "The Edge of Night." Her television career includes starring roles in "1st & Ten" and "The Bradys," and guest appearances on popular series like "The Love Boat" and "Who’s the Boss?" Beyond acting, Kalish is a master yoga teacher and coauthor of children's books, emphasizing socio-emotional education and mindfulness.