Related
Jerry Lewis , an iconic film funnyman both as a cooperator with actor - balladeer Dean Martin and solo performing artist , as well as a star fundraiser to fight powerful dystrophy , has pass away at years 91 . Lewis reportedly died of natural reason at 9:15 a.m. at his home in Las Vegas .
Las Vegas Journal Reviewreporter John Katsilometes broke the story , cite astatement in a tweetthat Lewis drop dead . According toTHR , Lewis had suffered a phone number of ailment throughout the years , including open - heart operation in 1983 , prostate gland cancer surgery in 1992 , treatment for prescription drug drug in 2003 and a kernel onslaught in 2006 . He had also been a longtime sufferer of pulmonary fibrosis .
Jerry Lewis was bear Joseph Levitch on March 16 , 1926 , to Daniel and Rachel Levitch in Newark , New Jersey . When he became a performer , Joseph took the surname Lewis , which was also the level name of his Vaudeviller performer Padre . He reportedly started performing with his parents at the Catskills Mountains in New York at age 5 under the name Joey Lewis , but as he grew older changed his name to Jerry in fiat to avoid confusion with the fabled boxer Joe Louis .
Lewis first rose to prominence as thecomedic partner to the straight military personnel Dean Martin , and performed in nightclub , radiocommunication and on idiot box before their eventual career in films . Their introduction as the iconic Martin and Lewis comedy team on movie began in 1950 withAt War with the Armyand cross over 15 films that finish withHollywood or Bustin 1956 . The duet was so pop that DC published the amusing book seriesThe Adventures of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis , which ran from 1952 to 1957 ( which was stick to by DC’sThe Adventures of Jerry Lewiscomic book series from 1957 to 1971 ) .
Lewis chance even more succeeder as a solo actor , starring in such classics asThe Sad Sack , The Geisha Boy , Cinderfella , The Errand Boyand perhaps his substantially live movie , The Nutty Professor , where he bet a nerdy professor who concocts a recipe to turn himself into the suave playboy Buddy Love . Lewis also romance controversial cloth , such as when he played a German genus Circus clown imprisoned by Nazis who result Jewish children to their deaths in the 1972 dramaThe Day the Clown Cried , which Lewis think was so bad it was never released in theatre .
In accession to multiple film and TV roles over the years ( he even had node appearances on such classic asBatmanandThe Simpsons ) , Lewis established himself as a major humanitarian and altruist as national chairman of and spokesman for the Muscular Dystrophy Association , and emceed an annual Labor Day telethon . His 50 year of body of work with the MDA lead to a nominating speech for a Nobel Prize , and Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award ( an honorary Oscar ) in 2009 . Lewis last film appearing came in 2016 in a small stomach role in the Nicolas Cage - Elijah Wood crime thrillerThe Trust .
R.I.P. Jerry Lewis: March 16, 1926 - August 20, 2017
Sources : John Katsilometes , THR
