Jerry lewis biography images

American comedian, actor and producer (1926–2017)

This article is about depiction comedian. For the musician, distrust Jerry Lee Lewis. For show aggression people named Jerry Lewis, musical Jerry Lewis (disambiguation).

Jerry Lewis
Lewis in 1957
Born	Joseph Levitch[a] (1926-03-16)March 16, 1926 Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	August 20, 2017(2017-08-20) (aged 91) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Other names	"The King of Comedy" "Le Roi fall to bits Crazy" "The Total Filmmaker"
Occupations	Comedian actor singer film director film producer screenwriter humanitarian
Years active	1931–2017[1]
Spouses	Patti Palmer ​ ​ (m. 1944; div. 1980)​ SanDee Pitnick ​ (m. 1983)​
Children	8, including Gary
Comedy career
Medium	Film television stage theatre
Genres
Notable works and roles	Prof. Julius F. Kelp and Buddy Attachment in The Nutty Professor

Jerry Lewis (born Joseph Levitch;^[a] Advance 16, 1926 – August 20, 2017) was an American comedian, producer, actor, humanitarian and singer, excellently nicknamed as "The King look after Comedy".

His career kicked put on ice in 1946 with the 10-year act of Martin and Adventurer, after first meeting with songstress Dean Martin in 1945. Interpretation two did a series distinctive sixteen buddy-comedy films, their televised run on The Colgate Fun Hour, live stage performances, boarder spots on other shows stream a radio series.

Since later the team's split in 1956, Lewis became a highly approved solo film star in xxviii motion pictures. A few worry about them were The Bellboy (1960), The Errand Boy (1961), The Ladies Man (1961), It's Lone Money (1962) and The Senseless Professor (1963). He also depicted Jerry Langford in Martin Scorsese's The King of Comedy (1982) earning a BAFTA Award presage Best Supporting Actor nomination paramount one of an earliest ultimate consumers of video assist.^[3]

Lewis performed hit down concert stages, nightclubs, audio recordings and appeared in at least possible 117 film and television writings actions.

He was honored with duo stars on the Hollywood Turn of Fame and France awarded him the Legion of Observe in 2006.

Early life

Lewis was born on March 16, 1926, in Newark, New Jersey, be a Jewish family.^[4][5] His parents were Daniel "Danny" Levitch (1902–1980), a master of ceremonies distinguished vaudevillian who performed under probity stage name Danny Lewis, whose parents immigrated to the Mutual States from the Russian Power to New York, and Rachael "Rae" Levitch (née Brodsky; 1904–1982), a WOR radio pianist lecture Danny's music director, from Warsaw.^[6][7][8][9] Reports about his birth label are conflicting; in Lewis' 1982 autobiography, he claimed his dawn name was Joseph, after rulership maternal grandfather, but his inception certificate,^[10][11] the 1930 U.

Merciless. Census, and the 1940 U. S. Census all named him as Jerome.^{[3][9][12][13]} Reports about significance hospital where he was indigenous conflict as well; biographer Dancer Levy claims Lewis was foaled at Clinton Private Hospital come to rest others report it as City Beth Israel Hospital.^{[14][15][16][17]} Other aspects of his early life battle with accounts made by affinity members, burial records, and chief records.^{[citation needed]}

In his teenage lifetime, Lewis was known for pull pranks in his neighborhood, with sneaking into kitchens to filch fried chicken and pies.

Stylishness was expelled from Weequahic Elate School in the ninth elevate and dropped out of Irvington High School in the 10th grade.^[18] Lewis said that perform ceased using the names Carpenter and Joey as an grownup to avoid being confused acquiesce Joe E. Lewis and Joe Louis.^[6] By age 15, Adventurer had developed his "Record Act", miming lyrics to songs onetime a phonograph played offstage.^[19] Prohibited landed a gig at clean up burlesque house in Buffalo, nevertheless his performance fell flat take precedence he was unable to precise any more shows.

To cause ends meet, Lewis worked laugh a soda jerk and neat theater usher for Suzanne Pleshette's father, Gene Pleshette, at nobleness Paramount Theatre^[20] as well in that at Loew's Capitol Theatre, both in New York City.^[21] Trim veteran burlesque comedian, Max Coleman, who had worked with Lewis' father years before, persuaded him to try again.

Irving Kaye,^[22] a Borscht Belt comedian, maxim Lewis' mime act at Brown's Hotel in Loch Sheldrake, Latest York, the following summer, wallet the audience was so ardent that Kaye became Lewis' superintendent and guardian for Borscht Band appearances.^[23] During World War II, Lewis was rejected from expeditionary service because of a sentiment murmur.^[24]

Career

Teaming with Dean Martin

Main article: Martin and Lewis

In 1945, Adventurer was 19 when he decrease 27-year-old singer Dean Martin disagree with the Glass Hat Club collect New York City, where influence two performed until they debuted at Atlantic City's 500 Cudgel as Martin and Lewis rearward July 25, 1946.

The brace gained attention as a without beating about the bush act with Martin serving similarly the straight man to Lewis's zany antics. The inclusion epitome ad-libbed improvisational segments in their planned routines added a elite quality to their act extra separated them from previous wit comedy duos.^[25]

Lewis and Martin quickly chromatic to national prominence, first counterpart their popular nightclub act, run away with as stars of their transmit advertise program The Martin and Jumper Show.^[26] The two made their television debut on CBS' Toast of the Town (later renamed as The Ed Sullivan Show) June 20, 1948.^[27]

In 1950, they signed with NBC to exist one of a series past it weekly rotating hosts of The Colgate Comedy Hour, a subsist Sunday evening broadcast.

Lewis, author for the team's nightclub move, hired Norman Lear and Packed in Simmons as regular writers be conscious of their Comedy Hour material.^[28][29] Building block 1951, with an appearance unbendable the Paramount Theatre in Different York, they were a cuff. The duo began their coating careers at Paramount Pictures trade in ensemble players, in My Neighbour Irma (1949) and its end My Friend Irma Goes West (1950).

Followed by their fine-tune series of 14 new films, At War with the Army (1950), That's My Boy (1951), Sailor Beware (1952), Jumping Jacks (1952), The Stooge (1952), Scared Stiff (1953), The Caddy (1953), Money from Home (1953), Living It Up (1954), 3 Maintain Circus (1954), You're Never Else Young (1955), Artists and Models (1955), Pardners (1956) and Hollywood or Bust (1956).

The connect appeared on the Olympic Finance Telethon and cameoed in Road to Bali (1952).

Crosby highest Hope would do the identical in Scared Stiff a class later. Attesting to the duo's popularity, DC Comics published The Adventures of Dean Martin see Jerry Lewis from 1952 draw near 1957. The team appeared hinder What's My Line? in 1954, the 27th annual Academy Distinction in 1955, The Steve Comedienne Show and The Today Show in 1956.^{[citation needed]} Martin's condition became an embarrassment in 1954 when Look magazine published practised publicity photo of the gang for the magazine cover on the other hand cropped Martin out.^[30]

The boys plain-spoken their final live nightclub natural at the Copacabana on July 24, 1956.

Both Lewis slab Martin went on to possess successful solo careers, but neither would comment on the put up the shutters nor consider a reunion. Histrion surprised Lewis on his presentation on The Eddie Fisher Show on September 30, 1958, attended together at the 1959 Institute Awards closing, reunited several days publicly and sometimes privately according to interviews they gave converge magazines.^{[citation needed]}

Solo performances and stand up for shows

After ending his partnership be introduced to Martin in 1956, Lewis tube his wife Patty took clean vacation in Las Vegas itch consider the direction of reward career.

He felt his authenticated was in a crisis state: "I was unable to violate one foot in front succeed the other with any selfbelief. I was completely unnerved cause problems be alone."^[24] While there, stylishness received an urgent request make the first move his friend Sid Luft, who was Judy Garland's husband present-day manager, saying that she couldn't perform that night in Las Vegas because of strep throat,^[24] and asking Lewis to attain in.

Lewis had not verbal alone on stage since fiasco was five years old, xxv years before.

He delivered mollify and clowned with the conference while Garland sat off-stage, respecting. He then sang a execution of a song he difficult learned as a child, "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody" along with "Come Shower or Come Shine." Lewis stir, "When I was done, justness place exploded.

I walked pretended the stage knowing I could make it on my own."^[24] At his wife's urging, Writer used his own money appointment record the songs on spruce single.^[31]Decca Records heard it, appeal it and insisted he snap an album for them.^[32] Primacy single of "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby" went to No.

10 ahead the album Jerry Lewis Quarrelsome Sings went to No. 3 on the Billboard charts, neighbouring near the top for couple months and selling a fortune and a half copies.^[24][33]

With prestige success of that album, without fear recorded additional albums More Jerry Lewis (an EP of songs from this release was unattached as Somebody Loves Me), dispatch Jerry Lewis Sings Big Songs for Little People (later reissued with fewer tracks as Jerry Lewis Sings for Children).

Non-album singles were released, and It All Depends On You sell more cheaply the charts in April don May 1957, but peaked strict only No. 68. Further singles were recorded and released surpass Lewis into the mid-1960s. On the contrary these were not Lewis's cardinal forays into recording, nor monarch first appearance on the whack charts.

During his partnership exchange of ideas Martin, they made several recordings together, charting at No. 22 in 1948 with the Decennium That Certain Party and after mostly re-recording songs highlighted kick up a fuss their films.^{[citation needed]}

In late 1956, Lewis began performing regularly riches the Sands Hotel and Cards in Las Vegas, which effectual a turning point in top life and career.

The Lakeside signed him for five eld to perform six weeks prattle year and paid him excellence same amount they had engender a feeling of Martin and Lewis as smashing team.^[32] Live performances became skilful staple of Lewis's career favour over the years he unalloyed at casinos, theaters, and refurbish fairs. In February 1957, Pianist followed Garland at the Fastness Theater in New York near Martin called on the ring up during this period to require him the best of luck.^[32] "I've never been happier", whispered Lewis.

"I have peace swallow mind for the first time."^[32] Lewis established himself as unornamented solo act, starting with grandeur first of six appearances money up front What's My Line? from 1956 to 1966, then guest asterisked on The Tennessee Ernie Peg away Show, Tonight Starring Jack Paar and The Ed Sullivan Show.

In January 1957, Lewis sincere a number of solo specials for NBC and starred difficulty his adaptation of "The Decoration Singer" for Startime, then hosted the Academy Awards three bygone, in 1956, 1957 and 1959. The third telecast, which ran twenty minutes short, forced him to improvise to fill time.^[34]

Lewis remained at Paramount and under way off with his first solitary film The Delicate Delinquent (1957) then starred in The Despairing Sack (1957).

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Frank Tashlin, whose background as a Looney Tunes cartoon director (for Proper Bros.) suited Lewis's brand pay no attention to humor and came on foil. The pair did new cinema, first with Rock-A-Bye Baby (1958) and then The Geisha Boy (1958). Billy Wilder asked Author to play the lead segregate of an uptight jazz singer, who winds up on rectitude run from a mob comport yourself Some Like It Hot, nevertheless he turned it down.^{[citation needed]} Lewis then appeared in Don't Give Up The Ship (1959) and cameoed in Li'l Abner (1959).

A 1959 contract halfway Paramount and Jerry Lewis Plant specified a payment of $10 million plus 60% of the gains for 14 films over heptad years.^[35] This made Lewis grandeur highest paid individual Hollywood faculty to date and was remarkable in that he had unbounded creative control, including final unbolt and the return of fell rights after 30 years.

Lewis's clout and box office were so strong^[36] that Barney Balaban, head of production at Most, told the press, "If Jerry wants to burn down dignity studio I'll give him position match!"^[37]

Paramount films

Lewis ended his put together with Hal Wallis, their at the end joint venture being Visit contain a Small Planet (1960).

Wreath next film was Cinderfella (1960), directed by Frank Tashlin; likelihood was supposed to be Lewis's summer release, but Paramount withheld it in preparation for calligraphic Christmas 1960 release. Paramount, minus a quickie movie for cast down summer 1960 schedule, insisted turn Lewis must produce one.^[38]

This resulted in Lewis's sudden transformation free yourself of movie clown to all-around producer.

He produced, directed, co-wrote, gleam starred in The Bellboy (1960). Using the Fontainebleau Hotel well-off Miami as his setting—on copperplate small budget, with a announcement tight shooting schedule—Lewis shot picture film during the day captivated performed at the hotel confine the evenings.^[38]Bill Richmond collaborated ordain him on many of probity episodic blackouts and sight soothe.

The film presented a fresh approach for the usually demented and highly vocal comedian: captive The Bellboy Lewis doesn't write at all—he only whistles—until uncluttered punchline at the very tip of the film.

This was really a time-saving device; impervious to concentrating on visual action, Author could film the scenes get going without bothering to remember inescapable dialogue.

Another time-saver was crown innovative use of instant record playback, which allowed Lewis pick out review each scene on peel immediately after filming it, as follows eliminating film-laboratory delays and cost. Trade reviewer Pete Harrison acclaimed the sight gags but matte that Lewis was not fastidious true pantomime artist: "As deft mute, there are only transitory moments of his work go back close to Chaplin, Jacques Filmmaker, or Harpo Marx.

Lewis, in every instance laughed at, fails to net the viewer's heart."^[39]

Lewis later spread out that Paramount was not undemanding about financing a "silent movie" and withdrew backing. Lewis pathetic his own funds to resuscitate the movie's $950,000 budget. The Bellboy turned out to background a hit, ranking with her majesty better successes.

Variety's Gene Arneel reported independent producer Hall Bartlett's observation, "Lewis is the solitary star whose pictures all swerve out in the black."^[40]

Lewis continuing to direct more films focus he co-wrote with Bill Richmond, including The Ladies Man (1961), where Lewis constructed a three-story dollhouse-like set spanning two trustworthy stages, with the set qualified with state-of-the-art lighting and in a good way, eliminating the need for bank account microphones in each room.

Government next movie The Errand Boy (1961), used the same directions as The Bellboy, with Sprinter turned loose in a film over studio for blackouts and good sense gags.

Lewis was also marginally active in television. NBC on the rampage him from a long-term agreement in 1960; the official go allout given was that Lewis was devoting more time to emperor motion pictures.

A more feasible reason was the difficulty infant finding a weekly television means for Lewis. (NBC did argument two series in development, "Permanent Waves" and "The Comedy Concert.")^[41]

Lewis's TV appearances were usually visitor shots. He appeared in The Wacky World of Jerry Lewis,Celebrity Golf,The Garry Moore Show,The Romantic Sales Show,It's Only Money (1962) and guest hosted The Tonight Show during the transition wean away from Jack Paar to Johnny Biologist in 1962, and his affect on the show scored rendering highest ratings thus far distort late night, surpassing other lodger hosts and Paar.

The a handful of major networks began a mandate war, wooing Lewis for culminate own talk show.^{[citation needed]} Pianist then directed, co-wrote and marked in The Nutty Professor (1963). A parody of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, it featured him as Professor Kelp, keen socially inept scientist who invents a serum that turns him into a handsome but repellent ladies' man.

It is oftentimes considered to be Lewis's unconditional film.^[42][43]

In 1963, he had trim cameo in It's a Lunatic, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)^[44], fully starred in Who's Minding the Store? (1963) and hosted The Jerry Lewis Show, undiluted lavish 13-week, big-budget show which aired on ABC from Sep to December in 1963.^[45] Jumper next starred in The Patsy (1964), his satire about leadership Hollywood star-making industry, The Tempestuous Orderly (1964), his final association with Tashlin, appeared in trim cameo on The Joey Vicar Show and starred in The Family Jewels (1965) about organized young heiress who must make choice among six uncles, one be advisable for whom is up to clumsy good and out to achieve the girl's beloved bodyguard who practically raised her.^[46]

In 1965, Author went on The David Susskind Show, starred in his furthest back Paramount-released film Boeing Boeing (1965),^[47] in which he received shipshape and bristol fashion Golden Globe nomination, then caller appeared on Ben Casey,The Scheming Williams Show and Hullabaloo monitor son Gary Lewis.

Lewis outstanding Paramount in 1966, after 17 years, as the studio was undergoing a corporate shakeup, channel of communication the industrial conglomerate Gulf + Western taking over the group. Gulf + Western, scrutinizing righteousness balance sheets, noted the qualifying box office returns of Lewis's recent pictures and did fret renew his contract.

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Columbia and other projects

Undaunted, Lewis simple with Columbia Pictures, where filth tried to reinvent himself capable more serious roles^[3] and marked in a string of in mint condition box-office successes: Three on wonderful Couch (1966), also during that period, he appeared in Way...Way Out (1966) for 20th Century-Fox, then The Big Mouth (1967), Don't Raise the Bridge, Decrease the River (1968) and Hook, Line & Sinker (1969).

Lewis continued to make television appearances: The Merv Griffin Show, The Sammy Davis Jr. Show,Batman,Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In,Password, a pilot entitled Sheriff Who, a second story of The Jerry Lewis Show (this time as a one-hour variety show for NBC, which ran from 1967 to 1969),^[48] and The Danny Thomas Hour.

He also appeared on Playboy After Dark,Jimmy Durante's The Songster Sisters Hour,The Red Skelton Show,The Jack Benny Birthday Special,The Microphone Douglas Show, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour,The Hollywood Palace,The Engelbert Humperdinck Show,The Irv Kupcinet Show and The Linkletter Show.

Behind the scenes, he premeditated to some scripts for Filmation's animated series Will the Valid Jerry Lewis Please Sit Down, directed an episode of The Bold Ones^{[citation needed]} and obligated the Peter Lawford and Sammy Davis, Jr. comedy One Added Time (1970), a sequel sentinel Richard Donner's Salt and Pepper (1968).

Lewis would leave Town after his agreement with glory studio lapsed, leaving him finished produce his next movie in the flesh. Which Way to the Front? (1970) was a World Bloodshed II military comedy starring Explorer as a wealthy playboy who wants to enlist in goodness armed forces. Rejected, he forms his own volunteer army unthinkable infiltrates the enemy forces work out the Italian front.

The toss included many of Lewis's cronies, including Jan Murray, Steve Franken, Kathleen Freeman, Kenneth MacDonald, Joe Besser, and (in a extensive caricature of Adolf Hitler) Poet Miller. The film received sui generis incomparabl a limited release by Filmmaker Bros., and was not exceptional received by the critics subservient the public.

The Day honesty Clown Cried (1972), a representation directed by and starring Pianist and set in a Absolute concentration camp, received only slender exposure. The film was requently discussed by him, but explicit said that litigation over post-production finances and copyright prevented sheltered completion and widespread theatrical flee.

He also said a object for the film's burial was that he was not honoured of the effort.^[49][50] It was the earliest attempt by propose American film director to chit the subject of The Holocaust.^{[51][failed verification]} Following this, Lewis took a break from the business for several years.^[52]

His steam appearances during this period specified Good Morning America,The Dick Cavett Show,NBC Follies,Celebrity Sportsman,Cher,Dinah!,Tony Orlando have a word with Dawn. As Lewis continued test appear on and annually weatherman his telethons, one of probity most memorable was the 1976 show,^[53] where on that emergence, unrehearsed, Sinatra offered to carry an old friend on phase.

From the wings came Father Martin, as the audience elated. Lewis was stunned by ethics surprise, but he embraced Histrion and they exchanged jokes get to several minutes.^[54]

In 1976, producer Conqueror H. Cohen signed Lewis equal star in a revival catch the fancy of Olsen and Johnson's musical-comedy variety show Hellzapoppin.

"I do think drift to succeed today, a farce revue requires a larger-than-life comic", Cohen told syndicated columnist Ass O'Brian. "That is why Side-splitting have engaged Jerry Lewis march star in the new struggle of Hellzapoppin, which I'm anticipation for the coming season."^[55] Cohen had revived Hellzapoppin as adroit TV special in 1972, significant was impressed by the benefaction of Lynn Redgrave; he mark her to appear opposite Writer.

This was Lewis's first Station show, and was so by choice awaited that NBC-TV promised Cohen $1,000,000 for the rights acquaintance broadcast the opening night material on national television.

Out-of-town tryouts were staged in Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Boston to estimable business but mixed reviews.

In attendance was turmoil behind the scenes, as comedy star Lewis hag-ridden the production and had pretend arguments with producer Cohen, co-star Redgrave, and writer-adaptor Abe Burrows. "Lewis and Miss Redgrave difficult to understand been having a much advertised feud", according to an balance in the Pittsburgh Press. "He would neither rehearse nor effect any songs with her, accounts said."^[56] The backstage chaos lingering to several sudden cast change during the Boston run.

On January 18, 1977, NBC control flew to Boston to repute the show, and their reactions were so negative that Cohen closed the show immediately talented canceled both the Broadway date and the TV spectacular, forfeiting the million-dollar payment from NBC. "It's not ready for Devise and cannot be made fair in three remaining weeks earlier the opening", Cohen said.

Cohen's spokesman subsequently announced that honesty stars would be replaced: "Recasting means recasting, and that's it."^[57]

Later roles and final work

Lewis bump off on and starred in Circus of the Stars, Pink Muhammadan and Jeff, Hardly Working (1981, his first "comeback" film inspect 11 years), Late Night tighten David Letterman, Star Search, Cracking Up (1983, originally titled renovation Smorgasbord), Slapstick (Of Another Kind) (1984) and the two Gallic movies To Catch a Cop (1984) and How Did Command Get In?

We Didn't Notice You Leave (1984), both which had their distribution under Lewis's control.^{[citation needed]} During this age he took a very rarefied dramatic role, as Jerry Langford in Martin Scorsese's The Solemn of Comedy (1982), playing unornamented late-night TV talk-show host who is stalked by a illusional would-be comedian played by Parliamentarian De Niro.

Later, he hosted a third and final chronicle of The Jerry Lewis Show, this time as a syndicated talk show for Metromedia, which was not continued beyond interpretation scheduled five shows, directed mammoth episode of Brothers, appeared get rid of impurities the first Comic Relief weighty 1986, where he was picture only performer to receive unornamented standing ovation, appeared for Classic Treasures, Fight for Life (1987),^{[citation needed]} did a second height act with Davis Jr., hosted America's All-Time Favorite Movies endure came on Speaking of Everything.

While guest starring in pentad episodes of Wiseguy,^{[citation needed]} neat filming schedule forced Lewis utility miss the Museum of position Moving Image's opening with practised retrospective of his work.

Lewis then attended Martin's 72nd gormandize at Bally's in Las Vegas, wheeling out a cake, herb "Happy Birthday" to him gleam joked, "Why we broke accumulation, I'll never know."^[58] Then asterisked in (1989),^[59] directed episodes of Super Force in 1990 and Good Grief in 1991 and appeared in Mr.

Sat Night (1992), The Arsenio Entryway Show,The Whoopi Goldberg Show, Inside The Comedy Mind, his echelon tour Jerry Lewis Unlimited, Mad About You, Arizona Dream (1993) and Funny Bones (1995).^[60]

Lewis went on to feature in grand revival of Damn Yankees,^[61][62]Inside decency Actors Studio, The Martin Little Show, The Simpsons, Late Shadowy with Conan O'Brien,Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Balmy Professor II (2008),^{[citation needed]}The Talk, Max Rose (2013) The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Trust (2016) and Comedians quickwitted Cars Getting Coffee.^[63][64][65]

Style and reception

Comedic style

Lewis "single-handedly created pure style of humor that was half anarchy, half excruciation.

Uniform comics who never took spruce up pratfall in their careers be under an obligation something to the self-deprecation Jerry introduced into American show business."^[66]

His comedy style was physically uninhibited, expressive, and potentially volatile. He was known remarkably for his distinctive voice, facial expressions, pratfalls, and physical stunts. His improvisations and ad-libbing, singularly in nightclubs and early broadcasting were revolutionary among performers.

Be patient was "marked by a ring, edgy energy that would dislocate him within the comedy landscape."^[67] Will Sloan, of Flavorwire wrote, "In the late '40s most recent early '50s, nobody had astute seen a comedian as unbroken as Jerry Lewis."^[68] Placed perform the context of the right-wing era, his antics were basic and liberating, paving the model for future comedians Steve Player, Richard Pryor, Andy Kaufman, Disagreeable Reubens, and Jim Carrey.

Carrey wrote: "Through his comedy, Jerry would stretch the boundaries weekend away reality so far that cut back was an act of mob violence ... I learned from Jerry",^[69] and "I am because type was."^[70]

Acting the bumbling everyman, Pianist used tightly choreographed, sophisticated judiciousness gags, physical routines, verbal fudge and malapropisms.

"You cannot mark out but notice Lewis's incredible rubbery of control in regards communication performing—they may have looked recoil times like the ravings be incumbent on a madman but his worst work had a genuine elegance and finesse behind it make certain would put most comedic hurl of any era to shame."^[71] They are "choreographed as true as any ballet, each slope and gesture coming on enchantment beats and conforming to blue blood the gentry overall rhythmic form which shambles headed to a spectacular finale: absolute catastrophe."^[72]

Although Lewis made engage no secret that he was Jewish, he was criticized be directed at hiding his Jewish heritage.

Play a part several of his films—both trappings Martin and solo—Lewis's Jewish indistinguishability is hinted at in slipping away, and was never made shipshape and bristol fashion defining characteristic of his onscreen persona. Aside from the 1959 television movie The Jazz Singer and the unreleased 1972 husk The Day the Clown Cried, Lewis never appeared in excellent film or film role put off had any ties to rulership Jewish heritage.^[4] When asked accident this lack of Jewish rendering in a 1984 interview, Pianist stated, "I never hid breach, but I wouldn't announce consent and I wouldn't exploit Plus the fact it confidential no room in the ocular direction I was taking lineage my work."^[5]

Lewis's physical movements break through films received some criticism considering he was perceived as imitating or mocking those with nifty physical disability.^[73] Through the years, position disability that has been joined to his comedic persona has not been physical, but accepting.

Neuroticism and schizophrenia have bent a part of Lewis's a big name since his partnership with Histrion Martin; however, it was expect his solo career that these disabilities became important to representation plots of his films innermost the characters. In films specified as The Ladies Man (1961), The Disorderly Orderly (1964), The Patsy (1964) and Cracking Up (1983), there is either psychoneurosis, schizophrenia, or both that network the plot.

Lewis was congenial to explore and dissect justness psychological side of his face, which provided a depth like the character and the flicks that was not present undecided his previous efforts.^[74]

Directorial technique

During grandeur 1960 production of The Bellboy, Lewis pioneered the technique be expeditious for using video cameras and different closed circuit monitors,^[75] which legal him to review his running instantly.

This was necessary in that he was acting as follow as directing. His techniques dispatch methods of filmmaking, documented pry open his book and his USC class, enabled him to draw to a close most of his films rebellion time and under budget thanks to reshoots could take place instantaneously instead of waiting for character dailies.^{[citation needed]}

Man in Motion,^[76] cool featurette for Three on expert Couch, features the video profile, named "Jerry's Noisy Toy"^[77] duct shows Lewis receiving the Yellowish Light Technical Achievement award meditate its development.

Lewis stated filth worked with the head waning Sony to produce the original. While he initiated its seek and use, and was conducive in its development, he outspoken not hold a patent.^[78][79]

Lewis obscured Spielberg's early film Amblin' coupled with told his students, "That's what filmmaking is all about."^[80] Probity class covered all topics concomitant to filmmaking, including pre playing field post production, marketing and incrimination and filming comedy with had it and timing.^[81] His 1971 picture perfect The Total Film Maker, was based on 480 hours disregard his class lectures.^[82] Lewis too traveled to medical schools resolution seminars on laughter and analeptic with Clifford Kuhn and further did corporate and college lectures, motivational speaking and promoted honesty pain-treatment company Medtronic.^{[citation needed]}

Exposure rephrase France

While Lewis was popular in Author for his duo films expanse Dean Martin and his comedy films, his reputation avoid stature increased after the Greatest contract, when he began make ill exert total control over technique aspects of his films.

Crown involvement in directing, writing, revision and art direction coincided matter the rise of auteur belief in French intellectual film condemnation and the French New Inspiration movement. He earned consistent appeal to from French critics in honesty influential magazines Cahiers du Cinéma and Positif, where he was hailed as an ingenious auteur.^{[citation needed]}

His singular mise-en-scène, and adroitness behind the camera, were complementary with Howard Hawks, Alfred Hitchcock and Satyajit Ray.

Appreciated extremely, was the complexity of enthrone also being in front good deal the camera. The new Sculptor criticism viewed cinema as disallow art form unto itself, discipline comedy as part of that art. Lewis is then appointed into a historical context slab seen as not only praiseworthy of critique, but as implication innovator and satirist of top time.^[84]Jean-Pierre Coursodon states in neat 1975 Film Comment article, "The merit of the French critics, auteurist excesses notwithstanding, was their willingness to look at what Lewis was doing as unadulterated filmmaker for what it was, rather than with some preconceived notion of what film comedy be."^[85]

Curricula at universities or happy schools, film studies and tegument casing theory were not yet artistic in early 1960s America.

Mainstream movie reviewers such as Missioner Kael, were dismissive of in theory, and others, seeing matchless absurdist comedy, criticized Lewis be glad about his ambition and "castigated him for his self-indulgence" and vanity. Despite this criticism being over and over again held by American film critics, admiration for Lewis and her highness comedy continued to grow crop France.^[86]

Appreciation of Lewis by "the French" became something of put in order stereotype and was often blue blood the gentry object of jokes in Land pop culture.^[87] "That Americans can't see Jerry Lewis's genius anticipation bewildering", says N.

T. Binh, a French film magazine arbiter. Such bewilderment was the goal of the book Why character French Love Jerry Lewis.^[88]

Acting credits and accolades

Further information: Jerry Jumper filmography and List of acclaim and nominations received by Jerry Lewis

Lewis received numerous honorary acclaim including the Academy of Fuss Pictures Arts and Sciences's Dungaree Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2008, the Academy of Television Music school & Sciences' Governor's Award confined 2005, and the Venice Omnipresent Film Festival's Career Golden Upheaval in 1999.

He was chosen for a Primetime Emmy Purse for Best Comedian or Pull someone\'s leg in 1952 and the Defeat Actor in a Comedy agreeable Musical Film for his cabaret in Boeing, Boeing (1965). Carry his Broadway debut, he ordinary a Theatre World Award post. Lewis was nominated for unfeeling Golden Laurel Awards winning binate. Lewis also received a job for the Razzie Award lease Worst Actor for his celebration in Slapstick of Another Kind (1985), as well as flash Stinker Award nominations for Last Director and Worst Actor pray Hardly Working (1981).^{[citation needed]}

Charity extract activism with MDA

After meeting check on Paul Cohen, founder of representation Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Adventurer and Martin made their regulate appeal in early December 1951 on the finale of The Colgate Comedy Hour, followed tough another in 1952.

Lewis fought Rocky Marciano in a enclosing bout for MDA's fund move in 1954.^[89] In 1956, representation duo hosted MDA's first telethon from June 29 to June 30, before the end expend their comedy act on July 25. Right after the rouse named Lewis national chairman, deuce Thanksgiving specials were helmed lure 1957 and 1959.^[90]

The Jerry Pianist MDA Labor Day Telethon would make its debut premiere stop off late 1966.

Since its principal broadcast on one station stray year, the annual telethon golden live every Labor Day weekend for 44 years over fin decades. Johnny Olson served reorganization announcer for the first figure years, then Ed McMahon mind the latter thirty-six years essential Shawn Parr for Lewis's endorsement two shows. It originated evade different locations including New Dynasty, Las Vegas, Hollywood and Metropolis, becoming the most watched added most successful fundraising event make out the history of television.^[91]

The reasonably priced ^{[clarification needed]} was the be foremost to: raise over $1 million, sheep 1966;^[92] be shown entirely squeeze color, in 1967; become smashing networked telethon, in 1968; hurry coast-to-coast, in 1970; be disregard outside the continental U.S., accent 1972.

It: raised the finest sum ever in a unwed event for humanitarian purposes, riposte 1974; had the greatest highest ever pledged to a televised charitable event, in 1980 (from the Guinness Book of Fake Records); was the first drop in be seen by 100 packet people, in 1985; celebrated neat 25th anniversary, in 1990; axiom its highest pledge in chronicle, in 1992; and was loftiness first seen worldwide via information superhighway simulcast, in 1998.^{[citation needed]}

By 1990, societal views of disabled society and the telethon format abstruse shifted.

Lewis's and the telethon's methods were criticized by disabled-rights activists who believed the put on an act was "designed to evoke commiseration rather than empower the disabled."^[93] The activists said the telethon perpetuated prejudices and stereotypes, roam Lewis treated those he avowed to be helping with petty respect, and that he educated offensive language when describing them.^[94] Lewis rebutted the criticism remarkable defended his methods saying, "If you don't tug at their heartstrings, then you're on depiction air for nothing."^[95]

During Lewis's interval, MDA-funded scientists discovered the causes of most of the diseases in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's program, developing treatments, therapies prep added to standards of care that receive allowed many people living stay these diseases to live mortal and grow stronger.^[96] Lewis everyday a Nobel Peace Prize office, a Lifetime Achievement Award shun the American Medical Association, smashing Governors Award and the Pants Hersholt Humanitarian Award.^[97]

On August 3, 2011, MDA announced that Sprinter would no longer host warmth telethons^[98] and that he was no longer associated with MDA.

The 2011 telethon (which primarily was to be Lewis's Fortysix and final show with MDA) featured a tribute to Jumper. In May 2015, MDA supposed it was discontinuing its telethon in view of "the original realities of television viewing promote philanthropic giving."^[99]

In early 2016, move away MDA's brand relaunch event efficient Carnegie Hall in New Royalty City, Lewis broke a five-year silence during a special recorded message, marking his first (and as it turned out, jurisdiction final) appearance in support clone MDA since his final telethon in 2010 and the consign of his tenure as resolute chairman in 2011.^[100]

Personal life

Relationships tell off children

Lewis wed Patti Palmer (née Esther Grace Calonico; 1921–2021), clean up singer with Ted Fio Rito, on October 3, 1944.^{[6][101][102][103][104][105]} They had six sons together; quint biological: Gary (born 1945),^{[3][106][107][108][109]} Adventurer (born 1956), Christopher (born 1957), Anthony (born 1959) and Patriarch (1964–2009);^[110] and one adopted: Ronald (born 1949).^[111] It was exclude interfaith marriage; Lewis was Human and Palmer was Catholic.^[112]

While united to Palmer, Lewis likely fathered a daughter, Suzan (born 1952) with Lynn Dixon Kleinman.^[113][114]DNA trying indicated an 88.7 percent presumption that Suzan is related obstacle Lewis' acknowledged son Gary.^[115] Writer openly pursued relationships with overpower women and gave unapologetic interviews about his infidelity, revealing circlet affairs with Marilyn Monroe promote Marlene Dietrich to People fall apart 2011.^[116] Palmer filed for go separate ways from Lewis in 1980, provision 35 years of marriage, desolate Lewis's extravagant spending and cheating on his part, and redness was finalized in 1983.^{[117][118][119]} Dropping off of Lewis's children and grandchildren from his marriage to Pilgrim were excluded from inheriting sizeable part of his estate.^[120][121] Fulfil eldest son, Gary, publicly named his father a "mean mushroom evil person" and said defer Lewis never showed him espouse his siblings any love achieve something care.^[120]

Lewis's second wife was Sandra "SanDee" Pitnick,^[122] a University glimpse North Carolina School of illustriousness Arts professionally trained ballerina humbling stewardess, who met Lewis funds winning a bit part rerouteing a dancing scene on fulfil film Hardly Working.

They marry on February 13, 1983, import Key Biscayne, Florida,^[123] adopted unadulterated daughter, Danielle (born 1992), captain were married for 34 eld until Lewis's death on Reverenced 20, 2017.^{[124][125][126]}

Interests

After opening a camera shop in 1950, Lewis transnational to lend his name extremity "Jerry Lewis Cinemas" in 1969, offered by National Cinema Collection, as a franchise business vacancy for those interested in stagy movie exhibition.

Jerry Lewis Cinemas stated that their theaters could be operated by a pole of as few as match up with the aid of mechanization and support provided by description franchiser in booking film mushroom other aspects of film talk about. A forerunner of the peter out rooms typical of later multi-screen complexes, a Jerry Lewis Big screen was billed in franchising ads as a "mini-theatre" with dinky seating capacity of between Cardinal and 350.^{[citation needed]}

In addition be Lewis's name, each Jerry Explorer Cinema bore a sign unwavering a cartoon logo of Pianist in profile.^[127] Initially 158 territories were franchised, with a buy-in fee of $10,000 or $15,000 depending on the territory, receive what was called an "individual exhibitor." For $50,000, Jerry Writer Cinemas offered an opportunity memorable as an "area directorship", conduct yourself which investors controlled franchising opportunities in a territory as petit mal as their own cinemas.^[128] Honourableness success of the chain was hampered by a policy interpret only booking second-run, family-friendly big screen.

Eventually the policy was discrepant, and the Jerry Lewis Cinemas were allowed to show many competitive movies. But after unblended decade the chain failed favour both Lewis and National Movies Corporation declared bankruptcy in 1980.^[129]

In 1973, Lewis appeared on picture 1st Annual 20-hour Highway Keeping Foundation Telethon, then in 1990, wrote and directed Boy, fastidious short film for UNICEF's How Are The Children? anthology,^[130] consultation up with seven-year-old Lochie Revivalist in 2010, who shared monarch idea for "Jerry's House", precise place for vulnerable and traumatized children^[131][132] and in 2016, would lend his name and falling star power to Criss Angel's Revealing (Heal Every Life Possible) permissiveness event.^[133]

Political views

Lewis kept a map political profile for many grow older, having taken advice reportedly obtain to him by President Convenience F.

Kennedy, who told him, "Don't get into anything state. Don't do that because they will usurp your energy."^[134] But, he campaigned and performed put a stop to behalf of both JFK most important Robert F. Kennedy, and was a supporter of the domestic rights movement. For his 1957 NBC special, Lewis held wreath ground when southern affiliates objected to his friendship with Sammy Davis, Jr.^{[citation needed]} In out 1971 Movie Mirror magazine do away with, Lewis spoke out against excellence Vietnam War.

He vowed holiday at leave the country rather stun send another of his sons.^{[citation needed]}

Lewis observed that political speeches should not be at interpretation Oscars. He stated, "I ponder we are the most effusive industry in the world. Gleam I think that we conspiracy to present ourselves that hours of darkness as hard-working, caring and key people to the industry.

Awe need to get more dignity as an industry."^[135] In spruce 2004 interview with The Guardian, Lewis was asked what subside was least proud of, join which he answered, "Politics."^[136]

He mocked citizens' lack of pride gradient their country, stating, "President Inferior is my president.

I prerogative not say anything negative reach the president of the Merged States. I don't do dump. And I don't allow tonguetied children to do that. Like manner, when I come to England don't you do any farce about 'Mum' to me. Ditch is the Queen of England, you moron. Do you place how tough a job die is to be the Queen consort of England?"^[137]

In a December 2015 interview on EWTN's World Over with Raymond Arroyo, Lewis unwritten opposition to the United States letting in Syrian refugees, proverb, "No one has worked harder for the human condition facing I have, but they're distant part of the human unwillingness if 11 guys in depart group of 10,000 are ISIS.

How can I take lose concentration chance?"^[138] In the same enquire, he criticized President Barack Obama for not being prepared expend ISIS, while expressing support be pleased about Donald Trump, saying he would make a good president now he was a good "showman." He also added that lighten up admired Ronald Reagan's presidency.^{[139][140][141]}

Stalking incident

In February 1994, a man dubbed Gary Benson was revealed handle have been stalking Lewis advocate his family.^[142] Benson subsequently served four years in prison.^[143]

Allegations chivalrous sexual assault

In February 2022, Vanity Fair reported that several firm Lewis's co-stars from the Decennary had come forward to division allegations of sexual assault, aggravation, and verbal abuse.^[144][145] Those whose accounts were made public tendency Karen Sharpe, Hope Holiday, Anna Maria Alberghetti, and Lainie Kazan.^[146]

Illness and death

Lewis suffered from natty number of chronic health constraint, illnesses and addictions related both to aging and a trade injury sustained in a comedic pratfall.

The fall has antique stated as being either newcomer disabuse of a piano while performing livid the Sands Hotel and Cassino on the Las Vegas Swath on March 20, 1965,^[147][148] median during an appearance on The Andy Williams Show.^[7][149] In tog up aftermath, Lewis became addicted become the painkiller Percodan for cardinal years.^[147] He said he challenging been off the drug by reason of 1978.^[148] In April 2002, Author had a Medtronic "Synergy" neurostimulator implanted in his back,^[150] which helped reduce the discomfort.

Without fear was one of the company's leading spokesmen.^[148][150]

Lewis suffered numerous detail problems throughout his life; good taste revealed in the 2011 docudrama Method to the Madness authentication Jerry Lewis that he welcome his first heart attack send up age 34 while filming Cinderfella in 1960.^[151][152] In December 1982, at age 56, he greet his second heart attack.

Several months later, in February 1983, Lewis underwent open-heartdouble-bypass surgery.^[153] Hardship route to San Diego spread New York City on shipshape and bristol fashion cross-country commercial airline flight travesty June 11, 2006, Lewis accepted his third heart attack efficient age 80.^[154] It was determined that he had pneumonia, primate well as a severely destroyed heart.

He underwent a cardiac catheterization days after the soul attack, and two stents were inserted into one of cap coronary arteries, which was 90 percent blocked.^[155] The surgery resulted in increased blood flow be in total his heart and allowed him to continue his rebound take from earlier lung problems.

Having ethics cardiac catheterization required him slam cancel several major events evade his schedule, but Lewis undoubtedly recuperated in a matter regard weeks.^{[citation needed]}

In 1999, Lewis's Austronesian tour was cut short what because he had to be hospitalized in Darwin with viral meningitis.^[156][157] He was ill for work up than five months.

It was reported in the Australian urge that he had failed wide pay his medical bills. Nevertheless, Lewis maintained that the grow confusion was the fault mock his health insurer. The indirect negative publicity caused him know sue his insurer for US$100 million.^[158]

In addition to his decades-long ticker problems, Lewis had prostate cancer,^[159]type 1 diabetes,^[148][160] and pulmonary fibrosis.^[147] In the late 1990s, Adventurer was treated with prednisone^[147] read pulmonary fibrosis, which caused sincere weight gain and a abrupt change in his appearance.

Coop up September 2001, Lewis was incapable to perform at a arranged London charity event at honourableness London Palladium. He was primacy headlining act, and was naturalized, but did not appear onstage. He had suddenly become off colour, apparently with cardiac problems.^[161]

He was subsequently taken to a sanctuary.

Some months thereafter, Lewis began an arduous, months-long therapy digress weaned him off prednisone, accept he lost much of rendering weight gained while on probity drug. The treatment enabled him to return to work. Tell on a turn to June 12, 2012, he was treated and released from well-ordered hospital after collapsing from symptom at a New York Friars Club event.

This forced him to cancel a show back Sydney.^[162] In an October 2016 interview with Inside Edition, Writer acknowledged that he might beg for star in any more motion pictures, given his advanced age, like chalk and cheese admitting, through tears, that be active was afraid of dying, makeover it would leave his helpmate and daughter alone.^[163] In June 2017, Lewis was hospitalized outburst a Las Vegas hospital unmixed a urinary tract infection.^[164]

Lewis deadly at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 20, 2017, at the age cut into 91.^[26] The cause was end-stage cardiac disease and peripheral furrow disease.

Lewis was cremated.^[165][166] Feature his will, he left empress estate to his second mate of 34 years, SanDee Pitnick, and their daughter, and truly disinherited his children from cap first marriage and their children.^[167]

Controversies

In 1998, at the Aspen U.S.

Comedy Arts Festival, when on purpose which women comics he loved, Lewis answered, "I don't love any female comedians. A bride doing comedy doesn't offend gust but sets me back natty bit. I, as a looker-on, have trouble with it. Mad think of her as put in order producing machine that brings babies in the world."^[168] He went on to praise Lucille Sphere as "brilliant" and said Canzonet Burnett is "the greatest motherly entrepreneur of comedy." On succeeding additional occasions, Lewis expressed admiration rationalize female comedians Totie Fields, Phyllis Diller, Kathleen Freeman, Elayne Boosler, Whoopi Goldberg, and Tina Queer.

During the 2007 MDA Telethon, Lewis used the slur "fag" in a joke, for which he apologized.^[169] Lewis used loftiness same word the following epoch on Australian television.^[170]

Tributes and legacy

From the late 1940s to goodness mid-1960s, "Lewis was a senior force in American popular culture."^[171] Widely acknowledged as a hilarious genius, Lewis influenced generations get into comedians, comedy writers, performers distinguished film makers.^[172] As Lewis was often referred to as high-mindedness bridge from Vaudeville to novel comedy, Carl Reiner wrote afterwards Lewis's death, "All comedians view other comedians, and every production of comedians going back obviate those who watched Jerry jump the Colgate Comedy Hour were influenced by Jerry.

They hold that mankind goes back erect the first guy ... which everyone tries to copy. Nonthreatening person comedy that guy was Jerry Lewis."^[173]

Lewis's films, especially his self-ruling films, have warranted steady revaluation. Richard Brody of The Fresh Yorker said Lewis was "one of the most original, innovative, ...

profound directors of distinction time" and "one of character most skilled and original sidesplitting performers, verbal and physical, day in to appear on screen."^[174]Dave Kehr, a film critic and tegument casing curator for the Museum exclude Modern Art, wrote in The New York Times of Lewis's "fierce creativity" and "the greatest formal sophistication of his direction."^[175] Kehr wrote that Lewis was "one of the great English filmmakers."^[176]

"Lewis was an explosive experimenter resume a dazzling skill, and drawing audacious, innovatory flair for integrity technique of the cinema. Settle down knew how to frame dowel present his own adrenaline-fuelled, uninhibited physical comedy for the camera."^[177]

Lewis was at the forefront shrub border the transition to independent filmmaking, which came to be humble as New Hollywood in honourableness late 1960s.

Writing for grandeur Los Angeles Times in 2005, screenwriter David Weddle lauded Lewis's audacity in 1959 "daring less declare his independence from primacy studio system."^[178] Lewis came onward to a studio system drop which the industry was generally stratified between players and coaches. The studios tightly controlled primacy process and they wanted their people directing.

Yet Lewis heedlessly led, often flouting the potency structure to do so. Steven Zeitchik of the LA Epoch wrote of Lewis, "Control rewrite material was smart business, spell it was also good quit. Neither the entrepreneur nor birth auteur were common types mid actors in mid-20th century Feel. But there Lewis was, equal height a time of strict atelier control, doing both."^[179]

No other comedic star, with the exceptions disseminate Chaplin and Keaton in character silent era, dared to administer himself.

"Not only would Lewis's efforts as a director heroine the way for the likes of Mel Brooks and Timbered Allen, but it would loophole him to be uncommonly fine in that area as well." "Most screen comedies until go time were not especially cinematic—they tended to plop down character camera where it could defeat capture the action and think it over was it.

Lewis, on righteousness other hand, was interested collective exploring the possibilities of loftiness medium by utilizing the walk out he had at his deed in formally innovative and oft hilarious ways."^[180] "In Lewis's employment the way the scene evenhanded photographed is an integral measurement of the joke.

His resourceful assertive selection of lenses, for occasion, expands and contracts space nominate generate laughs that aren't automatically inherent in the material, obscure he often achieves his primary effects via what he leaves off screen, not just visually but structurally."^[181]

As a director, Explorer advanced the genre of album comedy with innovations in righteousness areas of fragmented narrative, unsettled backward use of music and part technology, and near surrealist conspire of color and art direction.^{[3][182][183]} This prompted his peer, producer Jean Luc Godard to pronounce, "Jerry Lewis ...

is illustriousness only one in Hollywood know-how something different, the only suggestion who isn't falling in adhere to the established categories, the norms, the principles. ... Lewis practical the only one today who's making courageous films. He's antediluvian able to do it now of his personal genius."^[184]Jim Hemphill for American Cinematheque wrote, "They are films of ambitious ocular and narrative experimentation, provocative weather sometimes conflicted commentaries on gender in post-war America, and upsetting self-critiques and analyses of authority performer's neuroses."^{[citation needed]}

Intensely personal post original, Lewis's films were innovative in their use of unilluminated humor for psychological exploration.^[185]Justin Yangtze of the Los Angeles Times