Comedy Legend Jerry Lewis Passes Away at 91
von Clayton Davis
Jerry Lewis, the man who partnered with Dean Martin as "Martin and Lewis," brought us "The Bell Boy," and raised billions for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, died early this morning at his Las Vegas home. He was 91.
Lewis was born Joseph Levitch to song-and-dance father Danny and pianist mother Rae, and started performing himself at the tender age of 5. By the age of 15, he was performing a lip-syncing act with the daughter of "Hotel Arthur" owner where his father was appearing. Later on, during his first marriage to Patti Palmer, Lewis met the upcoming singer Dean Martin when both were appearing at the Glass Hat nightclub in NYC. Striking up a friendship, the pair went on to create the slapstick comedy act "Martin and Lewis," in which Martin played the smooth straight man and Lewis an erratic busboy who kept interrupting him. Though the duo had a bitter parting 10 years later, the collab shot the pair to fame.
The comedian became a legend in Hollywood for his slapstick antics and unique amount of creative control over his work, according to Variety. In the 1960s, he signed a monumental $10 million deal with Paramount to write, produce, and direct his own films. This partnership yielded such hits as "The Ladies Man," "The Errand Boy," and "The Nutty Professor." He also signed a non-exclusive contract with Columbia, producing the less popular films "Three on a Couch," "The Big Mouth" and "Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River."
Lewis was often a polarizing personality, with the comedian himself saying, "Jerry Lewis is never just OK or adequate; he's either very funny or he's awful," according to Variety. But when Americans audiences no longer appreciated Lewis' talents, French film critics hailed his work "as a prime example of a personal filmmaker functioning happily within the studio system," according to the NY Times.
Lewis is also known for his charity work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, for which he hosted a "The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day" telethon from 1966 to 2011. He raised over $2.5 billion for the non-profit, though some saw the campaign as condescending to disabled people. The comedian had a number of health issues himself during his lifetime, including prostate cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and two heart attacks.
Lewis is survived by sons Gary, Ronnie, Scott, Anthony, Christopher and daughter Danielle Sarah, along with his wife SanDee Pitnick.
What's your favorite Jerry Lewis flick? Let us know in the comments below.
Lewis was born Joseph Levitch to song-and-dance father Danny and pianist mother Rae, and started performing himself at the tender age of 5. By the age of 15, he was performing a lip-syncing act with the daughter of "Hotel Arthur" owner where his father was appearing. Later on, during his first marriage to Patti Palmer, Lewis met the upcoming singer Dean Martin when both were appearing at the Glass Hat nightclub in NYC. Striking up a friendship, the pair went on to create the slapstick comedy act "Martin and Lewis," in which Martin played the smooth straight man and Lewis an erratic busboy who kept interrupting him. Though the duo had a bitter parting 10 years later, the collab shot the pair to fame.
The comedian became a legend in Hollywood for his slapstick antics and unique amount of creative control over his work, according to Variety. In the 1960s, he signed a monumental $10 million deal with Paramount to write, produce, and direct his own films. This partnership yielded such hits as "The Ladies Man," "The Errand Boy," and "The Nutty Professor." He also signed a non-exclusive contract with Columbia, producing the less popular films "Three on a Couch," "The Big Mouth" and "Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River."
Lewis was often a polarizing personality, with the comedian himself saying, "Jerry Lewis is never just OK or adequate; he's either very funny or he's awful," according to Variety. But when Americans audiences no longer appreciated Lewis' talents, French film critics hailed his work "as a prime example of a personal filmmaker functioning happily within the studio system," according to the NY Times.
Lewis is also known for his charity work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, for which he hosted a "The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day" telethon from 1966 to 2011. He raised over $2.5 billion for the non-profit, though some saw the campaign as condescending to disabled people. The comedian had a number of health issues himself during his lifetime, including prostate cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and two heart attacks.
Lewis is survived by sons Gary, Ronnie, Scott, Anthony, Christopher and daughter Danielle Sarah, along with his wife SanDee Pitnick.
What's your favorite Jerry Lewis flick? Let us know in the comments below.
Click to Post
Clayton Davis
Keine Verbindung
Verbindung wird wiederhergestellt
Etwas ist schiefgelaufen
Wir sind gleich wieder da