LIFE

Jerry Lewis: A lifetime in comedy (1926 - 2017)

Jerry Lewis on March 2, 1995, in New York. Lewis, the comedian and director whose fundraising telethons became as famous as his hit movies, has died. Publicist Candi Cazau said Lewis passed away Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, at age 91 in Las Vegas with his family by his side.
Jerry Lewis on March 2, 1995, in New York. Lewis, the comedian and director whose fundraising telethons became as famous as his hit movies, has died. Publicist Candi Cazau said Lewis passed away Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, at age 91 in Las Vegas with his family by his side.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY
Jerry Lewis during an interview in Beverly Hills on Aug. 25, 2016.
Jerry Lewis during an interview in Beverly Hills on Aug. 25, 2016.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
(L-R) Comedians Jeff Ross, Richard Belzer, Jerry Lewis and Jim Carrey attend the 90th Birthday Celebration of Jerry Lewis at The Friars Club on April 8, 2016, in New York.
(L-R) Comedians Jeff Ross, Richard Belzer, Jerry Lewis and Jim Carrey attend the 90th Birthday Celebration of Jerry Lewis at The Friars Club on April 8, 2016, in New York.
Rob Kim, Getty Images
Jerry Lewis poses during an interview at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on April 12, 2014.
Jerry Lewis poses during an interview at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on April 12, 2014.
Dan Steinberg, Invision/AP
(L-R) Joan Collins, Jerry Lewis and Alan Cumming at the Friars Club salute to Joan Collins pose at The Friars Club on May 4, 2015 in New York.
(L-R) Joan Collins, Jerry Lewis and Alan Cumming at the Friars Club salute to Joan Collins pose at The Friars Club on May 4, 2015 in New York.
Bruce Glikas, FilmMagic
Jerry Lewis, wife SanDee and daughter Daniele arrive at the 2005 Emmy Creative Arts Awards on Spetember 11, 2005 at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Jerry Lewis, wife SanDee and daughter Daniele arrive at the 2005 Emmy Creative Arts Awards on Spetember 11, 2005 at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Gregg DeGuire, WireImage
Jerry Lewis laughs while watching a performer during the 42nd annual Labor Day Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association at the South Point Hotel & Casino on Sept. 3, 2007, in Las Vegas.
Jerry Lewis laughs while watching a performer during the 42nd annual Labor Day Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association at the South Point Hotel & Casino on Sept. 3, 2007, in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Entertainer Jerry Lewis makes his opening remarks at the 25th Anniversary of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon fundraiser in Los Angeles on Sept. 2, 1990.
Entertainer Jerry Lewis makes his opening remarks at the 25th Anniversary of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon fundraiser in Los Angeles on Sept. 2, 1990.
Julie Markes, AP
Jerry Lewis is seen during Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Day 2 at The South Coast Hotel and Casino Resort at South Coast Hotel and Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada in Sept. 4, 2006
Jerry Lewis is seen during Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Day 2 at The South Coast Hotel and Casino Resort at South Coast Hotel and Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada in Sept. 4, 2006
Denise Truscello, WireImage
Jerry Lewis documents the working press at his Hand and Footprint ceremony at the TCL Theater in Hollywood, Calif. on April 12, 2014.
Jerry Lewis documents the working press at his Hand and Footprint ceremony at the TCL Theater in Hollywood, Calif. on April 12, 2014.
Frederic J. Brown, AFP/Getty Images
Jerry Lewis and actor Kevin Pollak arrive for the screening of Nebraska at the 66th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France on May 23, 2013.
Jerry Lewis and actor Kevin Pollak arrive for the screening of Nebraska at the 66th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France on May 23, 2013.
Francois Mori, AP
This undated photo shows comedian Jerry Lewis in a scene from the film,"The Nutty Professor."
This undated photo shows comedian Jerry Lewis in a scene from the film,"The Nutty Professor."
AP
Jerry Lewis speaks during the 44th annual Labor Day Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association at the South Point Hotel & Casino Sept. 6, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Jerry Lewis speaks during the 44th annual Labor Day Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association at the South Point Hotel & Casino Sept. 6, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Jerry Lewis attends the Jerry Lewis hommage and 'Max Rose' Premiere at The 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 23, 2013, in Cannes, France.
Jerry Lewis attends the Jerry Lewis hommage and 'Max Rose' Premiere at The 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 23, 2013, in Cannes, France.
Stuart C. Wilson, Getty Images
Jerry Lewis attends the Friars Club celebration of Jerry Lewis and the 50th anniversary "The Nutty Professor" at New York Friars Club on June 5, 2014, in New York.
Jerry Lewis attends the Friars Club celebration of Jerry Lewis and the 50th anniversary "The Nutty Professor" at New York Friars Club on June 5, 2014, in New York.
Paul Zimmerman, Getty Images
Jerry Lewis and Director Martin Scorsese attend the Friars Club event honoring Martin Scorsese with the Entertainment Icon Award at Cipriani Wall Street on Sept. 21, 2016 in New York. Jerry Lewis starred alongside Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese's 1982 film 'The King of Comedy.'
Jerry Lewis and Director Martin Scorsese attend the Friars Club event honoring Martin Scorsese with the Entertainment Icon Award at Cipriani Wall Street on Sept. 21, 2016 in New York. Jerry Lewis starred alongside Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese's 1982 film 'The King of Comedy.'
Kevin Mazur, WireImage
Entertainers Dean Martin, left, and Jerry Lewis appear together on Lewis's annual telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Las Vegas, Nev on Sept. 7, 1976.
Entertainers Dean Martin, left, and Jerry Lewis appear together on Lewis's annual telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Las Vegas, Nev on Sept. 7, 1976.
AP
Jerry Lewis jokes with his new bride SanDee Pitnick on Feb. 13, 1983, during a small private ceremony in Miami.
Jerry Lewis jokes with his new bride SanDee Pitnick on Feb. 13, 1983, during a small private ceremony in Miami.
Tom Salyer, AFP/Getty Images
Jerry Lewis and Sammy Davis Jr pose on May 15, 1988, before the New York Friars Club Tribute to Barbara Sinatra, wife of singer Franck Sinatra.
Jerry Lewis and Sammy Davis Jr pose on May 15, 1988, before the New York Friars Club Tribute to Barbara Sinatra, wife of singer Franck Sinatra.
AFP/Getty Images
Muscular Dystrophy Association national chairman Jerry Lewis speaks during the 2001 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Sept. 2, 2001 in Los Angeles.
Muscular Dystrophy Association national chairman Jerry Lewis speaks during the 2001 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Sept. 2, 2001 in Los Angeles.
Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images
Jerry Lewis in his signature role, 1963's 'The Nutty Professor.'
Jerry Lewis in his signature role, 1963's 'The Nutty Professor.'
MDA
Jerry Lewis in Hollywood, Fla in 1965.
Jerry Lewis in Hollywood, Fla in 1965.
AFP/Getty Images
Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin in 'The Caddy.'
Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin in 'The Caddy.'
Paramount Home Entertainment