Jerry Lewis

Jerry Lewis is a comedian, actor and filmmaker known for his slapstick style of humor and for his contribution to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Though he is renowned internationally, he has reaped the most critical acclaim in France. His work as a philanthropist has been most visible in the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon, which he has hosted since 1966.

Fast Facts

1. Born: March 16, 1926
2. Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey
3. Birth Name: Joseph Levitch
4. Lewis was on the "Tonight Show" 24 times
5. Lewis helped establish the Muscular Dystrophy Association in 1952
6. Lewis is the father of 1960s pop musician Gary Lewis From Gary Lewis and the Playboys

Career

In the late 1940s, Lewis gained popularity as a TV and film star as half the comedy team Martin and Lewis, with singer/actor Dean Martin. When the pair split up in the mid-1950s, Lewis went on to a career as one of the world's top comic actors, directing and starring in his own films, and peaking in popularity with his signature outing, 1963's The Nutty Professor (remade by Eddie Murphy in 1996).

Criticism

• The Day the Clown Died—a 1972 film for which Lewis serves as director, star and co-writer—was never released, due in part to public criticism. In it, Lewis plays a circus clown swept into the events of the Holocaust. Some of those who viewed the film in rough-cut form reported that the comedy it contained was out of place, belittling the subject matter. Comedian Harry Shearer likened it to the following scenario: "If you flew down to Tijuana and suddenly saw a painting on black velvet of Auschwitz."
• Though Lewis was a longtime supporter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, he was criticized by members of the disabled community in both 1990 and 2001, for statements perceived as insensitive. Lewis has also been accused of homophobia and misogyny.

Caught with Gun

On July 29, 2008, Lewis was cited with carrying an unloaded concealed weapon in his carry-on bag at the Las Vegas airport. While Lewis claimed he didn't know the gun was in his bag, his manager stated that the gun was a hollowed-out prop gun.¹

Categories