Hamburger Hamlet Co-Founder Marilyn Lewis Dies At 87

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Marilyn Lewis, who with her husband founded the Hamburger Hamlet chain that pioneered the gourmet burger, has died. She was 87.

Adam Lewis tells the Los Angeles Times his mother died Wednesday.

Hamburger Hamlet was launched on Sunset Boulevard in 1950.

Harry Lewis was an actor and wanted a place where entertainers could relax. The restaurant offered customizable burgers and even a diet menu.

Customers included Ronald Reagan, Elizabeth Taylor and Sammy Davis Jr.

The Lewises sold the chain in 1987 and the last restaurant closed several years ago.

They also owned the now-closed Kate Mantilini in Beverly Hills, which appears in the Robert De Niro-Al Pacino film "Heat."

Marilyn Lewis also had a prestige clothing line, Cardinali, and helped dress Marlo Thomas for the TV show "That Girl."

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