By the age of fourteen, was earning £100,000 a year as he starred in an average of two films a year.
Gave up acting in the early Eighties.
He is a black belt in karate.
He is Jewish.
He was a close, long-time friend of American rock singer and songwriter Michael Jackson, and they were godfathers to each other's children. Lester spent Christmas 2003 at the Neverland Ranch, and vocally defended Jackson throughout his trial on child molestation charges in 2005.
His singing voice in Oliver! (1968) was dubbed by Kathe Green, although this was not made public until 1988.
In an interview with the British newspaper News of the World in August 2009 he confirmed that he had donated sperm to his longtime friend Michael Jackson as a gift. He claims that Michael's daughter Paris Jackson could be his own child and expressed a willingness to take a paternity test to prove either way.
Made several films in Italy when he was not receiving film offers in Britain.