Jerry Lewis, one of the most beloved American comedians, passed away on August 20, 2017, at the age of 91 in his Las Vegas home. Born either as Jerome or Joseph Levitch in Newark, New Jersey in 1926, Lewis grew up in an entertainment family, with his father Danny Lewis being a musical arranger and his mother Rachel a piano player. His early talent for mimicking music led him to drop out of high school and pursue a career as a performer. Lewis rose to stardom for his mimicking act and gained recognition in New York City nightclubs. It was during his time in New York City that he met Dean Martin, a singer and actor, and the two formed a successful comedic team. They performed in various venues, including the famous Copacabana nightclub, and signed a deal with Paramount Pictures. However, their partnership eventually ended after a falling out during the filming of “Pardners” in 1956.
Despite the split, Lewis continued his career as a solo performer and established himself as a writer and director, creating iconic slapstick gags in films such as “The Nutty Professor,” “The Bellboy,” and “The Ladies Man.” He received numerous awards for his work and was named Best Director of the Year eight times in Europe. Additionally, Lewis dedicated himself to raising awareness and funds for muscular dystrophy and served as the national chair of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) for over five decades. He hosted the MDA Telethon for 44 years until 2010, and his efforts earned him a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Lewis also contributed to the film industry by inventing the video assist system in cinematography.
In his personal life, Lewis was married twice and had a total of seven children. He faced health issues, including a back condition resulting from a fall during a comedy routine and two heart attacks. Jerry Lewis passed away at home, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the last great clowns and a comedic genius who created an unforgettable character.
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