(Newswire.net — August 21, 2017) –The legendary comedian died on Sunday at 9:15 a.m., of natural causes at his home in Las Vegas, his family announced in a statement.
Jerry Lewis was an actor, but also a singer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. His unique humor is featured in many films, television, stage and radio performances.
His rise to fame came from a pairing with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the famous comedy team of Martin and Lewis. During 10-year partnership they filmed 17 comedies, and most of them are considered to be some of the funnies movies of all time, such as: “Sailor Beware”, “Living It Up”, “You’re Never Too Young”, “Hollywood or Bust”, “Artists and Models”…
He became the highest paid actor in Hollywood, gaining global popularity. His fame granted him the nickname – The King of Comedy.
Jerry Lewis was also very successful in his solo career. Some of his solo films include “The Nutty Professor”, “The Bellboy”, “The Disorderly Orderly”, “It’s Only Money”, “The Geisha Boy”…
He has won several awards for lifetime achievements and has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: one for motion pictures and another for television.
He was also known for his charity fundraising telethons and was nominated for a Nobel Prize in 1977 for his 50 years raising money to fight the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
In 2006, for his 80th birthday, he was given a medal and induction into the French Legion of Honor, given the honorary title of “Legion Commander.”
Jerry Lewis was born as Jerome or Joseph Levitch, on March 16, 1926 in Newark, New Jersey to Russian Jewish parents who were both in show business. His father Daniel was a vaudeville entertainer, and his mother Rachel was a piano player for a radio station.
Lewis was only five years old when he started to performing with his parents.
In the tenth grade, he dropped out of Irvington High School in New Jersey, and he devoted himself to his career as an entertainer.
Lewis was married twice. His first wife was Patti Palmer (1944-1982), and his second wife was SanDee Pitnick (1983-present). He has six sons (one adopted) and one daughter (adopted).
After the news of his death on Sunday, fans and friends remembered his life and work on social media.
“Jerry Lewis passed today, millions around the world loved him, millions of kids he helped w/his telethons. R.I.P. &condolences 2 his family”, Whoopi Goldberg wrote on Twitter.
”Jerry Lewis loomed large in my family. Many movies with my mom & he made home movies with Janet and Tony. He made me and many laughs,” posted Jamie Lee Curtis.
”It was incredible knowing & laughing with the Amazing Jerry Lewis! He’ll keep’em laffin in the ever after!” wrote Samuel L. Jackson.