Jerry Lewis, the brash slapstick comic who teamed with Dean Martin in the 1950s and later starred in “The Nutty Professor” and “The Bellboy” before launching the Muscular Dystrophy telethon, has died in Las Vegas. He was 91.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist John Katsilometes reported that he died at his home at 9:15 a.m. and his agent confirmed the news.
Over the past 10 years of his life, the cranky icon’s reputation soured as he was forced to apologize for making a gay slur on camera during the 2007 telethon, continued to make racist and misogynistic jokes into his ’90s, and didn’t hesitate to share his right-wing political views.
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He was last of the rat pack.
ReplyDeleteLoved the nutty proffesor and cinderfella, who's minding the store, he was funny and did a lot for children. RIP
ReplyDeleteWhen comedy was clean! God bless him for the laughter and for the charitable work he did through his foundation!
ReplyDeleteWe will miss him....
ReplyDeleteA True Master At Comedy ..Hope TV networks honor him with his shows all week !
ReplyDeleteGreat man, Hollywood types today could take a page from his life story to learn what it really means to be both a celebrity and a kind, generous person.
ReplyDeleteThe reunion of Lewis/Martin via Sinatra during one of the Labor Day telethons in the mid 1970's was classic. Its on you tube! Lots of Jerry on you tube!
ReplyDeleteMaybe one day we'll find out the true reason for Jerry's abrupt departure from MDA.