Hailed from a privileged British upbringing, his family had suddenly found themselves broke. But thankfully due to their social status they were permitted to stay with several wealthy friends in their guest houses. When this was no longer an option they made the move to West Palm Beach, Florida and lived in a small cottage as they attempted to stretch their meager income. Peter got a job as a valet, parking cars to help make ends meet. One of his frequent customers was none other than his future father-in-law, Joseph Kennedy, who allegedly criticize him severely for befriending a black valet. The incident almost cost him his job, when the senior Kennedy complained to the management.
An arm injury at childhood, caused by trying to run through a glass door, ended any possibilities of a military career for Peter. So a movie career was his next option. Later he moved with his family to California, where he became an MGM studio star almost overnight. Finally with a new career and bigger paycheck he was able to afford better living conditions for his family. In the social circles that his family once traveled in, a career in the movies would have been considered dishonorable. But as it turned out this 'dishonorable' profession was their financial salvation which allowed them to return to the social status they once had known.
This new lifestyle not only provided a decent living, but also provided him with the excesses of the Hollywood. As a young eligible bachelor he was frequently seen out on the town with several current day starlets. He would party at the best clubs, drink the finest champagne and eat the best food. Nothing was too good for this star. One of his romances was with starlet Ava Gardner, whom at the time was ex-girlfriend of pal Frank Sinatra. This relationship caused a huge rift between the two that never quite healed. Frank’s bad temper and extreme jealousy almost caused Lawford’s days to be numbered. The only thing that perhaps saved him was his connection with the Kennedys.
Later after many flings with major Hollywood glamour girls, Peter settled down and married Patricia Kennedy; sister of John and Robert Kennedy. Life with the Kennedys was not going to be easy. His father-in-law was frequently quoted as saying that he would never want any of his daughters to marry an Englishman or an actor. Perhaps Peter should have taken that as an omen and stayed away.
The Kennedys did little for his career and shattered his self-esteem, as he became the brothers’ link to the Hollywood lifestyle. His Santa Monica beach house served as a playground filled with a bevy of naked beauties swimming and laying around the pool. It is rumored that many neighbors have commented about seeing the President and the Attorney General also naked in the pool.
Towards the end of his life as the drugs and alcohol firmly took hold of him, he became unemployable and his career waned. No one wanted to deal with him, because he would be late or not show up at all. If he did show up he would be incoherent and unable to say his lines. His abuses not only caused him to lose any opportunity to get work, but it ended his life as well. Days before his death, his wife found him laying on the kitchen floor, unconscious and bleeding. Peter was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (hospital for the stars) in serious condition. His body was dying; as his kidneys and liver were failing. He had lost the ability for his blood to clot, so surgery was out of the question. Peter was put on life support system and doctors tried to detoxify him the best they could. His skin was yellow and the chance for survival was extremely slim.
On December 19th he slipped into a coma and remained that way for the next four days. At 8:50 am, on December 24th, Peter moved for the first time in days. His upper body rose, muscles contracting involuntarily and suddenly blood spurted from his mouth, his nose and ears. He fell back onto the mattress and was dead. The Christmas day newspapers read, “Peter Lawford dead at 61.”
For directions to the cemetery see Marilyn Monroe in the Glamour Girls Chapter. As you first enter the cemetery bear left and park. Just past the Armand mausoleum you'll see several horizontal crypts, one of which is inhabited by Truman Capote. All of them have names on them with exception to one, this was Peter’s crypt. Exhumed on May 25, 1988 ashes scattered at sea.