Jerry Lewis, the iconic comedian who became famous for his slapstick humor in movies, died Sunday morning at the age of 91. He was at home in Las Vegas at the time of his passing with his family by his side, confirmed by his publicist Candi Cazau.
Many stars in Hollywood such, as Jim Carrey and Ellen DeGeneres, among others, paid tribute to the fallen comedian via Twitter accounts.
That fool was no dummy. Jerry Lewis was an undeniable genius an unfathomable blessing, comedy's absolute! I am because he was! ;^D pic.twitter.com/3Zdq9xhXlE
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis was a comic and philanthropic icon. I send love to his family today.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 20, 2017
The Martin and Lewis comedy team
Lewis started gaining popularity when he teamed up with fellow comedian Dean Martin in 1946.
Their comedy style was unique at that time because they chose to rely on each other’s interaction rather than planned skits. The duo started performing at nightclubs and was eventually given an opportunity to star on their own radio comedy program called, “The Martin and Lewis Show,” in 1949.
Lewis and Martin made their television debut on June 20, 1948, in “Toast of the Town,” which was later renamed “The Ed Sullivan Show.” They also starred in comedy films such as “My Friend Irma” in 1949 and a sequel, “My Friend Irma Goes West” in 1950.
The duo ended their partnership in 1956.
Solo career
After the Martin and Lewis comedy team breakup, Lewis was reluctant to perform as a solo act for lack of confidence and went to Las Vegas with his wife Patty to think about the future of his career.
While in Vegas, Lewis stepped in for Judy Garland as a favor for her husband, Sid Luft. Garland wasn’t able to perform due to strep throat and Luft asked Lewis if he could perform instead. The audience loved Lewis’s act that night as he told jokes and sang his own version of the song, “Rock-A-Bye Baby.”
After his successful performance, the experience gave him the confidence knowing that he can perform on his own.
Lewis recorded his debut album, “Jerry Lewis Just Sings,” with Capitol Records and the album went number three on the Billboard charts and sold more than a million copies.
Health issues
Lewis had several health concerns early on in his career including an addiction to painkillers which stemmed from an injury he sustained while performing at the Sands Hotel in 1965.
Lewis was addicted to painkillers for 13 years and claimed sobriety since 1978.
Lewis had his first heart attack in 1960 while filming “Cinderfella” and again in 1982. He had his third attack when he was on a commercial airline flight in 2006.
The iconic comedy actor also suffered from other medical conditions such as prostate cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and diabetes.
