Jerry Lewis ~ March 16, 1926 ~"I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any act of kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."
Motto of Jerry Lewis
Motto of Jerry Lewis
Since 1931, at the age of five, comedian Jerry Lewis has brightened the smiles and brought laughter to millions. More importantly, he has also brought hope to millions of children or as he prefers to call them, "my kids". Jerry Lewis was born Joseph Levitch on March 16, 1926 in Newark, New Jersey. His parents, Rae and Danny (Levitch) Lewis were professionals in the entertainment world. At age 5, Jerry made his debut in New York's Borscht Circuit singing, "Brother Can You Spare A Dime".
Growing up on the burlesque circuit while performing in the 500 Club in Atlantic city, his career would change. When another entertainer failed to show up for work, a second comedian by the name of Dean Martin joined the show. At first, they worked separately, but then started ad-libbing together and the rest is history. In less than eighteen weeks their salaries soared from $250.00 a week to $5,000.
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were perhaps one of the greatest of the comedian partnerships. Following World War II, when Americans needed a little humor in their lives, the comedian duo broke into the movie industry in 1949 with their first film, "My Friend Irma".
As a child, I can remember looking forward to any Saturday that a Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis movie would be showing at the Fox Theater. The cost of
admission
n was a dime but well worth every penny of it. For ten years, Martin and Lewis completed sixteen money making films while at the same time continuing their nightclub acts, personal appearances, recording sessions, radio shows, and television bookings. Their last movie together was "Hollywood or Bust" in 1956. On July 25th of that year the two made their last appearance together at the Copacabana, tens years to the day that they had become a team. I can recall the devastating news, the controversy being argued was which one would fail with out the other. They would each become individual stars in their own right and in time would return to their friendship.
Jerry Lewis would also become a Professor at the University of South California, where he taught graduate students a course in film direction. The movie directing talents of Lewis is not a well known fact about his career. He has won the Best Director of the Year Award eight times in Europe since 1960; three in France, and one each in Italy, Belgium, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Jerry Lewis has won far to many awards to list in a single document not only for his ability in the entertainment media but also for his humanity efforts. It is reported that his most prized award is a simple plaque, it reads: "There are three things that are real...God, human folly, and laughter. Since the first two are beyond our comprehension, we must do the best we can with the third". Signed; Your Friend, John F. Kennedy. In June 1985, the Department of Defense presented him the highest award it can bestow upon a civilian, the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.
Jerry Lewis has won the hearts of "my kids" and the world in his efforts each year to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Since 1959, Jerry Lewis has hosted the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on Labor Day weekend. Through the year of 2008, they have raised over two billion dollars for the treatment and research of Muscular Dystrophy. Even in poor health, Jerry Lewis is on the scene from the start to the finish of the Telethon. I can recall the days that it was appropriate to start watching the telethon from the time it started until it was finished, just to support Jerry Lewis and his efforts. While stationed in Anchorage, several of us in the Navy, would take our turn on the telephone banks at the local television station.
Since the inception of the telethon, the contributions have increased each year with the exception of 1982 and 2005. This past Labor Day weekend, the telethon once again achieved a new record by raising $65,031,393. Although Jerry Lewis takes no credit since this is a drive that involves thousands across America, however, it is his influence, attitude, and dedication that makes a difference.
Although, Jerry Lewis has had some very serious medical problems involving cancer and heart problems of his own, he has always been there for "my kids". Jerry Lewis is a true "American", he has made a difference and has the touched the lives of each of us.
Growing up on the burlesque circuit while performing in the 500 Club in Atlantic city, his career would change. When another entertainer failed to show up for work, a second comedian by the name of Dean Martin joined the show. At first, they worked separately, but then started ad-libbing together and the rest is history. In less than eighteen weeks their salaries soared from $250.00 a week to $5,000.Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were perhaps one of the greatest of the comedian partnerships. Following World War II, when Americans needed a little humor in their lives, the comedian duo broke into the movie industry in 1949 with their first film, "My Friend Irma".
As a child, I can remember looking forward to any Saturday that a Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis movie would be showing at the Fox Theater. The cost of
admission
n was a dime but well worth every penny of it. The popularity of Jerry Lewis skyrocketed in records, albums, and the movie industry. He went into screen writing, directing, producing, as well as acting. In 1959, be entered a contract with Paramount Pictures specifying a payment of $10 million plus 60% of the profits for 14 films over a seven year period.
Although, he did not portray a "athletic build", during the 1950's and 1960's Jerry played first base with numerous professional baseball teams. He would train each year with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Jerry Lewis would also become a Professor at the University of South California, where he taught graduate students a course in film direction. The movie directing talents of Lewis is not a well known fact about his career. He has won the Best Director of the Year Award eight times in Europe since 1960; three in France, and one each in Italy, Belgium, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Jerry Lewis has won far to many awards to list in a single document not only for his ability in the entertainment media but also for his humanity efforts. It is reported that his most prized award is a simple plaque, it reads: "There are three things that are real...God, human folly, and laughter. Since the first two are beyond our comprehension, we must do the best we can with the third". Signed; Your Friend, John F. Kennedy. In June 1985, the Department of Defense presented him the highest award it can bestow upon a civilian, the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.
Jerry Lewis has won the hearts of "my kids" and the world in his efforts each year to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Since 1959, Jerry Lewis has hosted the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on Labor Day weekend. Through the year of 2008, they have raised over two billion dollars for the treatment and research of Muscular Dystrophy. Even in poor health, Jerry Lewis is on the scene from the start to the finish of the Telethon. I can recall the days that it was appropriate to start watching the telethon from the time it started until it was finished, just to support Jerry Lewis and his efforts. While stationed in Anchorage, several of us in the Navy, would take our turn on the telephone banks at the local television station.Since the inception of the telethon, the contributions have increased each year with the exception of 1982 and 2005. This past Labor Day weekend, the telethon once again achieved a new record by raising $65,031,393. Although Jerry Lewis takes no credit since this is a drive that involves thousands across America, however, it is his influence, attitude, and dedication that makes a difference.
Although, Jerry Lewis has had some very serious medical problems involving cancer and heart problems of his own, he has always been there for "my kids". Jerry Lewis is a true "American", he has made a difference and has the touched the lives of each of us.
3 comments:
Sure, he got a little "rummy" in later years, but I didn't miss many of his movies OR telethons while growing up.
Saw him on tv the other evening, he really looks good. He has went off some of his meds that he was on in battling several illnesses. He no longer has the bloated look and lost some weight, looks like the old Jerry Lewis, just a few years older.
Stan, I am a distant cousin of yours. My grandmother was Henry Philo (Tad) Harrington's sister Jesse. I have a photo of him as a infant if you're interested.
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