Jerry Lewis (1926-2017)

Posted by: Erin Ward in Notable Deaths | July 12, 2021

Jerry Lewis


Entertainer

March 16, 1926 – August 20, 2017

 

Jerry Lewis, the legendary comedian and one of the most defining entertainers of the 20th century passed away on August 20, 2017, at the age of 91.

As an entertainer, he achieved success in films, television, nightclubs, and Broadway. Mr. Lewis was more than just an entertainer though, he also wrote, produced and directed several successful movies. During his career, he became a comedy icon and influenced generations of comics.

Lewis first shot to stardom as one-half of the Martin & Lewis comedy duo. Alongside legendary singer Dean Martin, the pair became one of the hottest acts of the 1950’s. On stage, Martin crooned while Lewis goofed around. The pair developed a friendship and fondness for each other that would shine through with each performance. Rather than having a prepared routine, many of their shows were ad-libbed with the pair improvising much of their performance, laughing alongside the audience and having fun together on stage.

As their fame grew Martin & Lewis began to appear on popular television programs and released 14 comedy films together over 7 seven years.

The partnership would not last though and the pair went their separate ways after just 10 years together. During their rise, more and more fans began to adore Lewis the funny man rather than Martin the handsome singer. Martin grew tired of playing the straight man and after being cropped out a publicity photo, he ended the partnership and friendship. After the rift, the two would not speak to each other for 20 years.

After the split, Lewis was unsure where to go next with his career.  It was while on vacation in Las Vegas where he would launch a solo career. After being asked to fill in for Judy Garland, Lewis quickly threw together an act that was a massive success. The feedback from the performance was enough to let him know that a solo career was possible.

Lewis began to appear in films again with each becoming more successful than the last. Before the 1960’s was over, he would star in almost two dozen films. This is also the period where he began to write, direct and produce many of his films.

Eventually though, his physical comedy style consisting of pratfalls would take its toll on his body. Lewis’ most significant injury came in 1965 after landing incorrectly and chipping a piece of his spine. The accident resulted in a four-month hospital stay, several back surgeries and an addiction to painkillers. After an intervention from friends and doctors, he eventually overcame the addiction.

As the ‘60s closed, his box office draw began to fade and Lewis stopped acting in films. This was the period when he began to get involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Between 1966 and 2010, every year on Labor Day Weekend, he held the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. During that time, the annual telethon raised 2.45 billion dollars for the cause.

During his lifetime, Lewis was the recipient of many honors and awards. Some of which include the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a lifetime achievement award from the American Comedy Awards, and an Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Lewis has also been recognized for his achievements by some of the greatest comedians of all time. Many of which, were influenced by him during their younger years. Comedians like Jim Carrey and Eddie Murphy have said his work was astounding and that he was a genius. Jerry Seinfeld had said, “If you don’t get Jerry Lewis, you don’t really understand comedy, because he is the essence of it”.

Lewis was preceded in death by his son Joseph in 2009. He is survived by his wife and 6 other children.

 

Following the news of his death, numerous celebrities and fans took to Twitter to express their condolences:





5 Comments

L

Linda Anthony

November 16, 2023

GET RICH WITH BLANK ATM CARD, Whatsapp: +18033921735

I want to testify about Dark Web blank atm cards which can withdraw money from any atm machines around the world. I was very poor before and have no job. I saw so many testimony about how Dark Web Online Hackers send them the atm blank card and use it to collect money in any atm machine and become rich I email them also and they sent me the blank atm card. I have use it to get 500,000 dollars. withdraw the maximum of 5,000 USD daily. Dark Web is giving out the card just to help the poor. Hack and take money directly from any atm machine vault with the use of atm programmed card which runs in automatic mode.

You can also contact them for the service below

* Western Union/MoneyGram Transfer

* Bank Transfer

* PayPal / Skrill Transfer

* Crypto Mining

* CashApp Transfer

* Bitcoin Loans

* Recover Stolen/Missing Crypto/Funds/Assets

Email: darkwebonlinehackers@gmail.com

Email: info@darkwebonlinehackers.com

Telegram or WhatsApp: +18033921735

Website: https://darkwebonlinehackers.com

s

sam smith

August 9, 2023

I just want the whole world to know about this spell caster I met
two weeks ago,  I cannot say everything he has done for me my wife
left me 3 years ago left with my kids I was going through online
when I meant this wonderful man's testimony online I decided to
give it a try and my wife is back to me now and we are happily
married again cause is too much to put in writing all I can say is
thank you very much am very happy   Contact him today on oseremenspelltemple@gmail.com or whatsapp him on +2348136482342. www.facebook.com/Dr-odion-spell-temple-110513923938220

a

ashley walters

August 9, 2023

My name is ashley walters !!! i am very grateful sharing this great testimonies with you all, The best thing that has ever happened in my life,  is how I won the Powerball lottery. I do believe that someday i will win the Powerball lottery. Finally my dreams came through when i contacted Dr. OSE and tell him i needed the lottery winning special numbers cause i have come a long way spending money on ticket just to make sure i win. But i never knew that winning was so easy with the help of Dr. OSE, until the day i meant the spell caster testimony online, which a lot of people has talked about that he is very powerful and has great powers in casting lottery spell, so i decided to give it a try. I emailed Dr. OSE and he did a spell and gave me the winning lottery special numbers 62, and co-incidentally I have be playing this same number for the past 23years without any winning, But believe me when I play the special number 62 this time and the draws were out i was the mega winner because the special 62 matched all five white-ball numbers as well as the Powerball, in the April 4 drawing to win the $70 million jackpot prize...… Dr. OSE, truly you are the best, with Dr. OSE you can will millions of money through lottery. i am a living testimony and so very happy i meant him, and i will forever be grateful to him...… you can Email him for your own winning special lottery numbers now oseremenspelltemple@gmail.com OR WHATSAPP him +2348136482342
www.facebook.com/Dr-odion-spell-temple-110513923938220

M

Maria Willie

June 30, 2023

Advice to save your marriage and get your Ex Boyfriend/girlfriend back ,contact drtrustspelltemple@gmail.com or WhatsApp +14242983869 for Urgent effective love Spell to get ex lover back or save you marriage fast and his result is 100% guaranteed.

I want to give thanks to Dr Trust for bringing back my ex husband. No one could have ever made me believe that the article I’m about to write would actually one day be written. I was the world’s biggest skeptic. I never believed in magic spells or anything like this, but I was told by a reliable source (a very close co-worker) that Trust is a very dedicated, gifted, and talented person, It was one of the best things I have ever done. My love life was in shambles, I had been through two divorces and was on the brink of a third. I just couldn't face another divorce, and I wanted to try harder to make our relationship work, but my husband didn’t seem to care. and he broke up with me again. I was confused and do not know what to do again, rather them to get in contact with Dr Trust. He did a love spell that made my husband come back to me. We are now very much happy with ourselves. Dr Trust makes him realize how much we love and need each other. This man is for REAL and for good, he can also help you to fix your broken relationship. I had my husband back! It was like a miracle! He suddenly wanted to go to marriage counseling, and we’re doing very, very well, in our love life. Contact

Email: drtrustspelltemple@gmail.com

WhatsApp: +14242983869

Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/trustspelltemplez

M

Moises Gonzalez

May 8, 2023

REST IN PEACE
BARBARA MARSHALL
MOISES GONZALEZ

Recommended For You

Remembering Charlie Murphy
July 12, 2021
Charlie MurphyComedian, ActorJuly 12, 1959 – April 12, 2017Charlie Murphy, the older brother of Eddie Murphy has passed ...[Read More]
Remembering Don Rickles
July 12, 2021
Don RicklesComedian, ActorMay 8 1926 – April 6 2017Legendary comedian and actor Don Rickles passed away at the age of 90...[Read More]
Remembering Jonathan Demme
July 12, 2021
Jonathan DemmeDirector, Producer, ScreenwriterFebruary 22, 1944 – April 26, 2017Academy award winning director, Jonathan...[Read More]