Lewis Whitlock III was born on March 7, 1949, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His father owned a dry-cleaning business, which was eventually removed to make way for the construction of Highway 35W. At the age of four, Lewis was enrolled in a dance studio, where his talent quickly became apparent. His teacher, Barbara Lotsberg, once remarked that “he knew his craft and he had this beautiful style that was all his own.”

While studying at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, Lewis began commuting to Chanhassen to perform in theatrical productions. He later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in theater from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Throughout his academic career, Lewis was a dedicated educator, teaching theater at numerous institutions including McNeese State University, Louisiana State University, St. Cloud State University, Mankato State University, the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, and Carleton College. He also shared his knowledge in public schools such as St. Paul Central and North High School.

Lewis's professional stage career began in 1968 when he was cast in Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ inaugural production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He continued performing throughout the 1970s and 1980s in shows like West Side Story and Guys and Dolls at Chanhassen, and he was also featured in the first national tour of The Wiz. In addition to his work as an actor and educator, Lewis served as the State Department’s cultural envoy to Central Asia and the Baltics, promoting cross-cultural exchange through the arts. He passed away on September 11, 2021, at the age of 72.