Later worked for Columbia and Paramount studios as a story analyst.
His career was interrupted by WWII. He served in the Army and returned to acting and films in Hollywood after the war.
In later years he and his wife Jane divided their time between homes in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, which enabled him to play tennis and enjoy the Hollywood Cricket Club.
Attended Brighton College in England where he showed expertise as a tennis player.
Changed his last name from Lister to Lester when he went to Hollywood.