Jerry Lewis was not only a comedian and actor but also an occasional singer, showcasing his versatility in entertainment.
Known as the "King of Comedy," Jerry Lewis was regarded as one of the greatest comedians of the 20th century.
Lewis was expelled from high school and dropped out, but by age 15, he had already developed his unique comedic act.
Biography
Early Life
Jerry Lewis, born Jerome Levitch on March 16, 1926, in Newark, New Jersey, was raised in a Jewish family. His father, Daniel "Danny" Levitch, was a master of ceremonies and vaudevillian, while his mother, Rachael "Rae" Levitch, was a pianist and music director. Lewis's early life was marked by mischief, as he often pulled pranks in his neighborhood. He struggled academically, being expelled from Weequahic High School and dropping out of Irvington High School. By the age of 15, he had developed his unique "Record Act," which involved miming lyrics to songs while a phonograph played offstage.
Career
Lewis's career took off in 1945 when he teamed up with singer Dean Martin at the Glass Hat Club in New York City. The duo, known as Martin and Lewis, debuted at the 500 Club in Atlantic City on July 25, 1946, quickly gaining fame for their comedic chemistry. They became a national sensation through their radio program, The Martin and Lewis Show, and later transitioned to television and film, starring in a series of successful movies. Lewis's comedic style was characterized by physical humor, expressive facial gestures, and improvisation, which set him apart from his contemporaries and influenced future comedians.
Humanitarian Efforts
Beyond his entertainment career, Lewis was a dedicated humanitarian. He became involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in the early 1950s, co-hosting the first MDA telethon in 1956. The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, which began in 1966, became a monumental fundraising event, raising millions for research and support for those affected by muscular dystrophy. Over 44 years, the telethon broke numerous records, including being the first to raise over $1 million in a single event and reaching an audience of 100 million people in 1985.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis Vol. Two2005
- 1.Unedited/Unreleased Master Studio Recording. Guest Star: Danny Thomas65:00
- 2.Final Edited Recording: Danny Thomas Intro and Sketch: "No - You Bet Your Life"9:28
Phoney Phone Calls 1959-19722001
- 1.McIntosh Clothes5:01
- 2.Tuner’s Drugs4:19
- 3.Camera Shop6:17
- 4.Borgia Liquor2:13
- 5.Mr. Segal8:06
- 6.Contest Winner3:23
- 7.Pan Am Reservations6:44
- 8.Vic Tanny Bodybuilders9:11
- 9.Crying for His Bird3:11
- 10.Lost Watch7:59
- 11.Record Shop1:47
- 12.Bill Lynch7:26
Jerry Lewis on Comedy2001
- 1.The Early Years6:04
- 2.Being Funny and Funny Men3:44
- 3.Serious Business5:31
- 4.The Magic4:17
- 5.Acting and Observations3:39
- 6.Comedy and Pain6:09
- 7.Comedy vs. Comedian1:57
- 8.Technique vs. Training5:53
- 9.Film and TV1:33
- 10.Comedy and Drama3:17
- 11.Writing and Directing3:25
- 12.Critics2:28
- 13.Authority1:24
- 14.Jerry's TV Show1:21
- 15.Advice2:55
The Golden Age of Comedy2000
- 1.Intro / At the Circus21:53
- 2.A Spot in the Shade7:59
- 3.Intro / She’s Only a Bird in a Gilded Cage6:29
- 4.Nannook the Schnook4:24
- 5.Conrad Von Crunch – Gourmet7:26
- 6.Jerry at the Dentist (Rare outtake)9:09
- 7.The X‐Rated Promotional Ad for “The Caddy”2:58
Jerry Lewis Just Sings1995
- 1.Come Rain or Come Shine2:52
- 2.Shine on Your Shoes2:17
- 3.How Long Has This Been Going On3:46
- 4.I've Got the World on a String2:14
- 5.Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody2:36
- 6.Bye Bye Baby2:32
- 7.I'm Sitting on Top of the World1:44
- 8.Get Happy2:58
- 9.By Myself3:22
- 10.Back in Your Own Backyard2:53
- 11.Sometimes I'm Happy2:17
- 12.Birth of the Blues3:21
- 13.It All Depends on You2:23
- 14.Let Me Sing and I'm Happy2:08
- 15.My Mammy2:41
- 16.With These Hands2:50
- 17.Rock-A-Bye False Starts2:56
The Capitol Collectors Series1990
- 1.Are You for Real2:47
- 2.I Love a Murder Mystery3:03
- 3.Sunday Driving2:42
- 4.I'm a Little Busy Body2:55
- 5.Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa Polka2:04
- 6.I Like It - I Like It2:53
- 7.I'll Tell a Policeman on You2:42
- 8.Lay Something on the Bar (Besides Your Elbows)2:34
- 9.I Love Girls2:48
- 10.North Dakota, South Dakota2:21
- 11.I've Had a Very Merry Christmas2:58
- 12.The Book Was So Much Better Than the Picture2:34
- 13.I Can't Carry a Tune2:44
- 14.Strictly for the Birds2:42
- 15.Crazy Words - Crazy Tune (Vo-Do-De-o)2:24
- 16.They Go Wild Simply Wild Over Me2:32
- 17.I Keep Her Picture Hanging Upside Down3:06
- 18.Y-Y-Y-Yup2:11
- 19.Candelabra Boogie2:09
- 20.Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody5:27
Drippy: The Runaway Raindrop, Chapter One
Tracklist not collected yet.
Drippy: The Runaway Raindrop, Chapter Three
Tracklist not collected yet.
Drippy: The Runaway Raindrop, Chapter Two
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Decca
Achievements
- Award
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
- Award
- Commander of the Legion of Honour
- Award
- New Jersey Hall of Fame
- Award
- Honorary Member of the Order of Australia
- Award
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Award
- Trustees Award
Groups
- Martin and Lewiseponymous, original · 1946–1956
Similar artists
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Identifiers & aliases
Jerry Lewis was an American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker and humanitarian. Across his seven-decade career, Lewis was regarded as one of the greatest comedians of the 20th century. He is nicknamed the "King of Comedy".
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Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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