Jerry Lewis

Season 5, Episode 511

Original Airdate: September 12, 1999

Jerry Lewis was born in Newark, New Jersey on March 16, 1926. Jerry got his first taste as a comic when, at the age of five, he began appearing in his parents' comedy routine as they performed on the Borscht Belt circuit.

Success eluded him until 1946 when he met another struggling performer, a good-looking Italian singer named Dean Martin. Each performed separate acts but frequently appeared on the same bill. One night they decided to abandon their regular material and team up to perform an impromptu routine that brought the house down. By 1950, they were America's number one comedy team.

In addition to their wildly popular nightclub act, Martin and Lewis appeared in such films as My Friend Irma (1949), The Caddy (1953) and Artists and Models (1955). In 1956, after a decade of tremendous success, the duo decided to split up.

After a less-than-friendly parting of the ways, Jerry went on to a successful solo career in such films as The Geisha Boy (1958). The Bellboy (1960) marked his debut as director, and took Lewis' career to a new level. He continued to direct, produce and star in various films, including Cinderfella (1960), The Errand Boy (1962), The Ladies Man (1962), The Nutty Professor (1963) and The Big Mouth (1967).

In the 1970s, his career was mainly focused on working with the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation and his yearly Labor Day Telethon to raise money for the cause. Since his first forays into film, Lewis has been lauded as a comic genius in France. In 1984, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor. 1983 marked a significant turn in Lewis' career, as he took a serious acting role, and turned in an acclaimed performance in Martin Scorsese's King of Comedy.

Since then, he has appeared in such films as Mr. Saturday Night (1992), Arizona Dream (1993) and Funny Bones (1995). In 1995, he became the highest paid performer in Broadway history, starring as the Devil in the revival of Damn Yankees!