Jerry Lewis
This article is about the comedian and telethon host; Jerry Lewis is also the name of a U.S. politician. There is also a musician named Jerry Lee Lewis.
Joseph Levitch (born March 16, 1926), better known as Jerry Lewis, is an American comedian and actor known for his wacky, slapstick humor, and his charity fund-raising telethons for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Lewis gained initial fame when paired with Dean Martin at the beginning of their careers in the 1940s and 1950s. He became recognized by some French critics as a comedic genius. He appeared in many films, including The Nutty Professor, The Bellboy and Boeing Boeing, featuring his zany character.
Lewis also starred in the unreleased 1972 film The Day The Clown Cried. According to Lewis's official website, litigation over post-production financial difficulties has prevented the film's release. Some who have read the script and/or seen bootleg copies of the film cast doubt on whether a watchable film can be produced.
He starred in the 1983 film The King of Comedy, a seriocomic film in which he plays a late-night TV host plagued by an obsessive fan.
Trivia
- Lewis has suffered years of back pain due to a failed slapstick stunt which almost left him paralyzed. The continuing pain from the accident almost drove him to commit suicide.
- Lewis tried his hand at singing in the 1950s, having a chart hit with the song Rock-A-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody, a song originally made famous by Al Jolson.
- The Simpsons' voice actor Hank Azaria based the voice of Professor Frink on Lewis. Lewis was eventually invited to guest as the character's father.
