Jerry Lewis Overview:

Legendary actor, Jerry Lewis, was born Joseph Levitch on Mar 16, 1926 in Newark, NJ. Lewis died at the age of 91 on Aug 20, 2017 in Las Vegas, NV .

MINI BIO:

Long-faced, crop-haired American star comedian whose goofy, childlike, disaster-prone comic creation was a tremendous hit in the late forties and fifties, in partnership with Dean Martin. After much bickering, the partnership split in 1957. Lewis's solo comedy films were excellent value from 1957 to 1964 with often marvelously funny sequences, and the comedian's streak of pathos kept in check. After this, often under his own direction, they became slow, sentimental, and self-indulgent, and public support and private backing ran out in 1971. Later seen in benevolent cameos. Had six children.

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Film Stars).

HONORS and AWARDS:

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He was honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the categories of Television and Motion Pictures. Lewis was never nominated for an Academy Award. However he won one Honorary Award in 2008 Jerry Lewis .

BlogHub Articles:

The Nutty Professor (1963): is Jekyll and Hyde

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jul 7, 2020 From 4 Star Films

I can bemusedly remember more than a few trips out to the high school football fields as?our designated evacuation point for fire drills. The other times we ended up out there was more likely than not due to?the chemistry department setting them?off with some supernal explosion of their own devising... Read full article


The Bellboy (1960) and The Goofball Auteur

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jul 2, 2020 From 4 Star Films

The Bellboy is introduced by a witty disclaimer as a studio executive (a cameo by Jack Kruschen) explains this is a film based on fun. There is no story. No plot. Instead, it acts as a visual diary in the week of a real nut! He subsequently reels about in his chair laughing hysterically. It breaks t... Read full article


Quote of the Week: on Comedy

By KC on Jan 10, 2016 From Classic Movies

Image Source My philosophy of comedy is a man in trouble. There but for the grace of God go I. - Quote Source... Read full article


presents... The Nutty Professor (1963)

By Michaela on Sep 19, 2015 From Love Letters to Old Hollywood

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you've probably noticed that a lot of my movie discoveries have come from my mom and my sister -- my mom will recommend something or mention someone I should check out, and then I wind up watching it with my sister (which can be good or bad). The same goes for ... Read full article


How Many Films Did Dean Martin and Star in Together?

By Annmarie Gatti on Jun 7, 2015 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

How Many Films Did Dean Martin and Star in Together? Dean Martin and met for the first time at New York City’s Glass Hat Club where both were performing in 1945, then teamed up to debut at Atlantic City’s 500 Club on July 25, 1946. ?From live performances, to radi... Read full article


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Jerry Lewis Quotes:

Homer Flagg: I wish I could go to New York with yuh.
Isaiah Jackson: Now, Homer, you're gonna be fillin' my shoes, stationmaster of Desert Hole!
Homer Flagg: [dejectedly] Yeah.
Isaiah Jackson: [optimistically] In exactly 52 years you'll be getting your pension. Then you'll be on your way to wine, women, and song.
Homer Flagg: In 52 years who'll be able to sing?


Herbert H. Heebert: Hey, lady!


Homer Flagg: [running excitedly around his expensive hotel suite] Another bathroom! So shiny, so clean you gotta wash up before you go in there!


read more quotes from Jerry Lewis...



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JEAN HERSHOLT HUMANITARIAN AWARD Oscar 2008


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Jerry Lewis on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame




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Jerry Lewis Facts
Encouraged Christopher Walken to act. Walken met Lewis while he was on "The Colgate Comedy Hour" (1950) and Lewis suggested to the young boy that he pursue a career in show business.

Was voted the 50th Greatest Director of all time by Entertainment Weekly. Although he is at the bottom of this list, perhaps a bit shockingly, Charles Chaplin didn't even make the list.

Was offered the role of Jerry/Daphne in Some Like It Hot (1959), directed by his friend Billy Wilder. He declined because he didn't want to dress in drag. The part, of course, eventually went to Jack Lemmon and he received an Oscar nomination for his performance. Lewis says that Lemmon would send him chocolates every year to thank him and he now regrets not taking the role.

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