He Was Hollywood's Most Violent Icon

in a recent Vanity Fair article from February 2022 shocking revelations surfaced regarding allegations against Jerry Lewis a beloved entertainer from the 1960s former co-stars courageously came forward to share their experiences shedding light on a darker side of the charismatic figure known for his slapstick humor and philanthropic Endeavors today we delve deeper into this matter confronting the uncomfortable truths surrounding Jerry Lewis's life and career who really was this man and what was his private life like join us as we reveal unknown facts of Hollywood's most violent icon the beginning of Jerry Lewis's long career born on March 16th 1926 in Newark New Jersey Jerry Lewis emerged from a Jewish Family with a rich entertainment background his father Daniel Danny levich was a Master of Ceremonies while his mother Rachel B levich was a radio pianist there has been some confusion about Lewis's birth name although he claimed in his autobiography that he was born Joseph his birth certificate as well as US Census records from 1930 and 1940 list his name as Jerome similarly there are mixed reports about the hospital where he was born with some sources citing Clinton Private Hospital and others naming Newark Beth Israel Hospital Lewis's early years were marked by his mischievous nature known for pulling pranks during his teenage years that often got him into trouble expelled from one high school and later dropping out of another Lewis changed his name to avoid confusion with other performers setting the stage for his Future in Show Business by age 15 Lewis developed a unique act where he mimed lyrics to songs while a phonograph played offstage which he called his record act although his first gig at a burlesque house in Buffalo didn't go well he didn't give up he worked various jobs such as a soda jerk and theater Usher to support himself eventually a veteran burlesque comedian Max Coleman encouraged Lewis to keep trying and he did Irving k a borch belt comedian saw Lewis perform his mime act at Brown's hotel in lock sheldrake New York and was impressed by the audience's reaction Kay became Lewis's manager and helped him secure more bookings in the borch belt circuit during World War II Lewis despite his design to serve was unable to due to a heart murmur however fate intervened when he crossed paths with 27-year-old singer Dean Martin at the glass Hat Club in NYC in 1945 this chance encounter marked the beginning of one of the most iconic Partnerships in entertainment history the legendary Martin Lewis partnership Martin and Lewis The Duo captivated audiences with their zany Antics and Lively segments quickly rising to National Fame their their comedic chemistry led to appearances in nightclubs on radio shows and eventually on television where they made their debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1948 signing with NBC in 1950 they hosted the Colgate Comedy Hour solidifying their status as comedy icons their success translated to the Silver Screen with Paramount Pictures releasing 14 films starring Martin and Lewis their popularity even extended to the realm of comic books with DC Comics publishing Adventures featuring the dynamic duo they co-starred in 16 feature films released through Paramount during their time under contract with Hal Wallace though their films were popular their working relationship became increasingly tense over the years Martin often felt overshadowed by Lewis's over-the-top comedic style while Lewis's Antics started to dominate their films another reason for the tension is thought to be the relationship between their wives Dean second wife Jean and Jerry's wife Patty were said not to get along well with each other which might have added stress to the partnership their tension came to a head while filming their final movie together Hollywood or bust in the spring and early summer of 1956 Lewis later recounted how the atmosphere on set grew so hostile that he would hold back his opinions on Martin leaving director Frank tashlin to handle the Fallout Martin on the other hand became increasingly frustrated and famously told Lewis that he was nothing to me but a dollar sign despite the behind the-scenes conflict they fulfilled their last professional commitment with a farewell performance at the Copa Cabana Club on July 25th 1956 exactly 10 years after their first show together in Atlantic City their final film Hollywood or bust was released in December of that year marking the end of their legendary partnership for Jerry Lewis this marked a pivotal moment in his career feeling a drift he found himself thrust back into the spotlight when asked to fill in for Judy Garland due to illness despite initial hesitation Lewis's performance was met with resounding Applause prompting him to explore a solo career Lewis's Journey as a solo artist in late 1956 Jerry Lewis began performing regularly at the Sans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas marking a major shift in his career the sanss signed him for 5 years offering him the same pay he had received with Martin critics also praised his solo performances and Lewis quickly established himself as a successful solo act supported by his wife Patty he also ventured into recording releasing albums that resonated with audiences his rendition of Classics like rock by your baby with a Dixie Melody and Come Rain or Come Shine garnered widespread acclaim propelling him to the top of the charts and solidifying his status as a versatile Entertainer the single of Rocka by your baby went to number 10 and his album Jerry Lewis just sings went to number three on the Billboard charts staying near the top for 4 months and selling a million and a half copies Jerry Lewis's album success led to a string of other records including more Jerry Lewis and Jerry Lewis sings Big songs for little people and P of songs from these albums was released as somebody loves me he continued to release several singles over the years but only it all depends on you made a brief impact on the charts peing at number 68 in the spring of 1957 however this wasn't Lewis's first Venture into the music world when he was still part of the Martin and Lewis Duo they recorded several songs together some of which charted and were even used in their films Lewis also ventured into Children's Entertainment recording albums tailored to Young listeners it started in 1948 when he ventured into recording novelty comedy numbers and music for children showcasing his versatility as an Entertainer now note that after Martin and Lewis parted ways Jerry Lewis still stayed with Paramount as he dove into his solo career he kicked off his acting chapter with the delicate delinquent in 1957 followed by the Sad Sack later that same year his partnership with director Frank tashlin known for his work on Looney Tunes cartoons was a perfect match for Lewis's quirky humor his collaboration with the director yielded several memorable films although Lewis famously turned down a role in Some Like It Hot he was approached by director Billy Wilder for the lead role in the film but he turned down the opportunity and went on to Star and don't give up the ship in 1959 making a cameo appearance in Lil Abner the same year in 1959 par Mount signed a lucrative contract with Jerry Lewis Productions offering Lewis $10 million and a whopping 60% of the profits for 14 films over 7 years this deal made him the highest paid talent in Hollywood at the time and gave him extraordinary creative control including Final Cut and the eventual return of film rights after 30 years in the early 1960s Lewis continued to shine both in front of and behind the camera he completed his film contract with Wallace and directed and starred in hits like visit to a small planet and Cinderfella notably the Bellboy which he directed for Paramount Pictures showcased his Innovative film making techniques funded entirely by his own resources live performances were a key part of Lewis's career as well throughout his career he made several television appearances including stints on shows like What's My Line The Ed Sullivan Show and tonight starring Jack Parr he also hosted the Academy Awards three times in the 1950s showing off his quick wit when he had to improvise for the 1959 ceremony which ran 20 minutes short Lewis's television presence remained strong as time went on with appearances on popular shows like the Gary Moore Show and The Andy Williams Show his appearances on these shows further solidified his status as a household name networks even clamored for him to have his own talk show a testament to his immense popularity and influence Lewis's Fame continued to grow and in the world of comics DC Comics launched the adventures of Jerry Lewis a sequel to their previous series featuring him and Martin this series ran from 1957 to 1971 showcasing Lewis's widespread influence on popular culture the last films Lewis featured in and directed The Pinnacle of Lewis's directorial career came with the Nutty Professor a beloved parody of Dr Jackal and Mr Hyde he played the role of Professor kelp a socially awkward scientist who creates a serum that transforms him into a confident but obnoxious ladies man this film is often considered one of his best works and is a classic in his filmography in 1963 Jerry Lewis had a cameo in it's a mad mad mad mad world and starred in whose minding the store that same year he hosted the Jerry Lewis show a big budget show on AB BC that ran from September to December Lewis continued his film career with the py in 1964 a satire about Hollywood's star making industry and the disorderly orderly which was his last collaboration with director Frank tashlin Lewis made appearances on the Joey Bishop show and starred in The Family Jewels in 1965 a film about a young Aris who must choose between her six uncles he played several roles in the movie including one of the uncles that year he also appeared on the David suskin show starred in Boeing Boeing and earned a Golden Globe nomination he also made guest appearances on Ben Casey the Andy Williams Show and halabaloo with his son Gary Lewis after leaving Paramount in 1966 due to a corporate shakeup and declining box office returns Lewis signed with Colombia pictures he took on new roles including three on a couch and way way out a comedy for 20th Century Fox he continued his string of films with the big mouth in 1967 and don't raise the bridge lower the river and Hook Line and Sinker in 1968 and 1969 respectively through these roles Lewis tried to Branch out and reinvent himself with more serious performances while still delivering his signature humor he continued to entertain audiences with this string of successful films and television appearances cementing his status as a comedic icon in the later years of his career however Lewis took a brief Hiatus from the movie business but remained a fixture on television making memorable appearances on shows like Good Morning America and the dick Cavit show his surprise appearances alongside former partner Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra delighted audiences and marked a poignant reconciliation between them how Lewis's controversial personality affected his career Lewis's contributions to the entertainment indust hist are undeniable with his films and television appearances leaving an indelible mark on audiences worldwide in 1976 producer Alexander H Cohen brought him on board to star in a Revival of the musical comedy review Hela poppen Cohen saw Lewis as a key figure who could bring the Larger than Life comedic presence needed for the show to create a dynamic duo he also cast Lynn Redgrave who had impressed him in a TV special of Hela Poppin a few years earlier this was Lewis's first Venture onto Broadway and it was highly anticipated NBC offered a significant sum 1 million for the rights to broadcast the opening Night Live Nationwide the show also underwent outof Town tryouts in Washington DC Baltimore and Boston which Drew good business but received mixed reviews however things weren't all smooth behind the scenes Lewis's strong personality led to clashes with producer Co Redgrave and writer adapter Abe buroughs the dynamic between Lewis and Redgrave was particularly strained with reports of them refusing to rehearse or perform songs together the backstage tension eventually resulted in sudden cast changes during the Boston run on January 18th 1977 NBC Executives attended a performance and had a negative reaction prompting Cohen to shut down the show and cancel both the Broadway run and the Planned TV broadcast this move meant forfeiting the million dooll payment from NBC but Cohen felt the show wasn't ready for Broadway and wouldn't be within the 3 weeks before the scheduled opening despite ups and downs Lewis remained dedicated to his craft making a triumphant comeback to the Silver Screen in the 1980s with films like hardly working and the king of comedy his television appearances including hosting gigs and interviews showcased his enduring charm and WID Lewis's final film Max Rose and his appearance on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee served as a fitting farewell to a legendary career that spanned decades but in 1998 during the Aspen us comedy Arts Festival Jerry Lewis was asked about his thoughts on female comedians his response was surprising as he admitted he wasn't a fan of women doing comedy he felt uncomfortable with it saying he thought of women more as nurturing figures despite despite this he did acknowledge the talents of Lucille Ball and Carol Bernett praising them as exceptional in their craft over the years Lewis showed appreciation for several other female comedians including toon Fields Phyllis Diller Kathleen Freeman Elaine boozler whoopy Goldberg and Tina Fay these women brought a unique flare to the comedy world that even Lewis could admire however Lewis still faced some controversy during the 2007 MDA tele on when he used a slur in a joke he later apologized for his comment a similar incident occurred the following year on Australian television which stirred further discussion about the language he used despite these controversies his contributions to the entertainment industry remain significant the relationships and infidelity charges against Lewis Jerry Lewis tied the knot with singer Patty Palmer on October 3rd 1944 together they welcomed six Sons into the world five of whom were biological Gary Scott Christopher Anthony and Joseph born between 1945 and 1964 they also adopted a son named Ronald in 1949 making their household a bustling Family Affair their marriage was a blend of faiths as Lewis was Jewish while Palmer was Catholic reflecting the diversity within their home however Lewis's personal life wasn't n without its complications during his marriage to Palmer rumors surfaced about a daughter named Susan allegedly fathered by leis with another woman in 1952 DNA testing later confirmed the likelihood of Susan being related to Lewis's acknowledged son Gary Lewis was known for his infidelity openly discussing his affairs with famous women like Marilyn Monroe and Marlene Dietrich in interviews revealing a turbulent aspect of his personal life in 1980 after 35 years of marriage Palmer filed for divorce citing Lewis's lavish spending and infidelity as reasons for the split the divorce was finalized in 1983 leading to a contentious aftermath where all of Lewis's children from his marriage to Palmer were excluded from inheriting any part of his Estate Gary Lewis his eldest son publicly criticized his father describing him as mean and uncaring reflecting the strained relationship between them following his divorce from Palmer Lewis found love again with Sandra Sandy pitnick a ballerina and stewardess they met during the filming of hardly working where pitnick had a small role in a dancing scene they tied the knot on February 13th 1983 in kissm Florida and later adopted a daughter named Danielle in 1992 despite Lewis's tumultuous past his marriage to pitnick endured for 34 years until his passing marking a period of stability in his personal life however Lewis's personal life was marred by controversy in his later years in February 2022 allegations of sexual assault harassment and verbal abuse emerged from Lewis's former co-stars in the 1960s accusations from individuals like Karen sharp hope holiday Anamaria alberghetti and Laney Kazan painted a troubling picture of Lewis's behavior during his time in the industry these allegations ranged from unwanted advances and inappropriate comments to instances of physical assault and intimidation sparking widespread condemnation within the entertainment industry the Scandal served as a sobering reminder of the prevalence of abuse and harassment in Hollywood highlighting the urgent need for accountability and measures to prevent such behavior in the future Lewis's personal life marked by both triumphs and tribulations offers a complex portrait of a man whose Legacy is as complicated as it is celebrated Lewis's contribution to the MDA charity after meeting Paul Cohen the founder of the muscular distrophy Association MDA Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin made their first appeal for the MDA in December 1951 on the finale of the Colgate Comedy Hour they followed up with another appeal in 1952 Lewis continued his involvement with the organization and in 1954 he participated in a boxing match against Rocky Mariano to raise funds for MDA by 1956 Lewis hosted the first MDA Telethon just before the end of his partnership with Martin later he was named National chairman of the association in the following years Lewis hosted Thanksgiving specials in 1957 and 1959 his most notable contribution to the cause was the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon which he began hosting in 1966 the teleon aired live every Labor Day weekend for 44 years spanning multiple decades co-hosted by Ed McMahon from 1973 to 2008 the event was broadcast from cities like New York Las Vegas Hollywood and Chicago making it one of the most successful and widely watched fundraising events in television history the teleon used iconic songs such as Charlie chaplain's smile and You'll Never Walk Alone as part of its introduction and outro the tethon achieved several Milestones it was the first to raise over $1 million in 1966 and to broadcast in color in 1967 it became a networked ton in 1968 and expanded to Coast to Coast broadcasts in 1970 it was viewed outside the continental United States for the first time in 1972 and later reached Global audiences via the Internet in 1998 in the Years following societal views about disability and the ton format shifted some criticized the show arguing it perpetuated stereotypes about disabled individuals and focused on evoking pity rather than empowering them Lewis defended his methods believing that tugging at viewers heartstrings was necessary to keep the ton impactful despite some criticism many people with muscular distrophy benefited directly from the MDA fundraising efforts led by Lewis MDA funded res SE Arch uncovered the causes of various diseases within the MDA scope resulting in the development of new treatments and Care standards over 200 research and treatment facilities were built with donations raised by Lewis's tons Lewis's contributions to the MDA earned him numerous honors including a Nobel Peace Prize nomination and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association his work helped improve the lives of countless individuals affected by muscular distrophy and related diseases the health issues leading to the death of Jerry Lewis from chronic ailments to addictions and illnesses Lewis's Journey was marked by resilience in the face of adversity one significant health issue that Lewis grappled with was a back injury sustained during a comedic fall a mishap that occurred during a performance at the Sans hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip or possibly during an appearance on the Andy Williams Show this injury compounded by the natural a aging process resulted in a slew of chronic health problems and dependencies following the fall Lewis developed an addiction to the painkiller Percodan which plagued him for 13 years however he claimed to have achieved sobriety since 1978 another Health scare struck Lewis during his Australian tour in 1999 when he had to be hospitalized in Darwin due to viral menitis this illness kept him off his feet for over 5 months and led to a dispute with his health insurer over medical bills the situation resulted in negative press coverage prompting Lewis to file a $100 million lawsuit against his insurer though the outcome of the legal battle was not widely publicized in April 2002 Lewis underwent a metronic Synergy neuros stimulator implantation in his back a procedure that helped alleviate his discomfort and transformed him into a prominent advocate for the company his health struggles extended Beyond his back injury he experienced multiple heart problems throughout his lifetime including two heart attacks and open heart double bypass surgery his first heart attack struck at the age of 34 while filming Cinder fella in 1960 followed by a second heart attack in December 1982 his third heart attack occurred during a flight in June 2006 necessitating immediate medical intervention despite these setbacks Lewis displayed remarkable resilience after his third heart attack subsequent examinations revealed pneumonia and severe heart damage leading to cardiac catheterization and the insertion of two stance Lewis made a full recovery within weeks with improved blood flow aiding his recuperation in addition to heart issues Lewis battled prostate cancer type 1 diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis treatment for pulmonary fibrosis in the late 1990s resulted in significant weight gain and a noticeable change in his appearance despite these health challenges Lewis remained dedicated to his craft continuing to perform and entertain audiences however Lewis's Health struggles occasionally interrupted his professional commitments in September 2001 he was unable to perform at a charity event in London due to a sudden illness suspected to be related to cardiac problems despite these setbacks Lewis persevered overcoming hypoglycemia in 2012 and hospitalization for a urinary tract infection in 2017 Lewis is passing on August 20th 2017 at the age of 91 was attributed to endstage cardiac disease and peripheral artery disease in his will he left his estate to his second wife and daughter explicitly disinheriting his children from his first marriage and their descendants despite his health challenges Jerry Lewis's impact on American popular culture is undeniable widely acknowledged as a comic genius Lewis influenced generations of comedians writers performers and filmmakers his films especially those he directed himself continue to receive praise for their originality and inventiveness cementing his legacy as a pioneering force in comedy and entertainment the legacy of Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis was more than just a comedian he was an explosive experimenter pushing the boundaries of cinem with his Innovative flare in the late 1960s he spearheaded the transition to independent film making Breaking Free from the studio systems tight control over the filmmaking process this move which later became known as New Hollywood allowed Lewis to assert control over his material showcasing both his entrepreneurial spirit and artistic Vision in terms of directorial style Lewis was unmatched he skillfully manipulated space through purposeful lens selection not only eliciting laughs from the material but also visually and structurally his films were cinematically Innovative utilizing Tools in formally unique and humorous ways filmmaker Jean Luke Goddard praised Lewis for his refusal to conform to established categories and principles recognizing him as a true Maverick in Hollywood Lewis's films were ambitious and narratively experimental offering provocative commentaries on masculinity in postwar for America and providing introspective examinations into performers Neurosis his dark humor and satirical approach to celebrity culture set him apart as a groundbreaking filmmaker who wasn't afraid to tackle taboo subjects before 1960 most Hollywood comedies followed the screw ball or farce style Jerry Lewis however brought a fresh twist to the genre by introducing satire into fulllength films this shift can be seen in his early home movie like how to smuggle a hernia across the border filmed in his playhouse in the early 1950s his mature work often provided sharp commentary on the cult of celebrity the trappings of Fame and the struggle of staying true to oneself while fitting into society Steven Dalton of The Hollywood Reporter noted Lewis's agreeably bitter streak highlighting his ability to offer self-critical insights into celebrity culture which now seems quite modern in the king of comedy Lewis played a role that influenced later satirists like Gary chandling Steve kugan and Ricky jvas showcasing his impact on the genre Lewis was an early expert in using deconstruction to enhance comedy from his early performances on The Comedy Hour he exposed the artifice of onstage performance by acknowledging the camera sets malfunctioning props and even failed jokes Jonathan rosenbom commented on Lewis's impulse to deconstruct and even demolish the fictional given of any sketch including those he created himself this approach became a Hallmark of his filmmaking as he gained more control over his writing and directing Lewis's self-directed films were full of behind the-scenes reveals demystifying the movie making process Daniel Fairfax noted that Lewis deconstructs the very functioning of the joke itself while Chris fujiwara added that the py was so radical it made comedy out of a comedian who wasn't funny the final scene of the py is especially famous for pulling back the curtain and showing the audience the making of the movie and Lewis's role as actor and director in his book the total filmmaker Lewis discussed his belief in breaking the fourth wall by having actors look directly into the camera even though it defied industry Norms throughout his career Lewis left an indelible mark on American popular culture his influence can be seen in the work of subsequent generations of Comedians and filmmakers who continue to draw inspiration from his groundbreaking contributions to cinema Lewis's death in 2017 was mourned by collaborators and fans alike his talent and friendship were praised by luminaries such as Robert dairo and Sandra burnhard who recognized his pioneering role in comedy and film in recognition of his legacy retrospectives of Lewis's work have been held around the world highlighting his enduring impact on Cinema in 2017 he co-founded the legionnaires of laughter and Legacy Awards further cementing his status as a cultural icon additionally he was honored with a video display on the Las Vegas Strip a testament to his enduring popularity as a casino showroom headliner in Las Vegas Lewis's annual Labor Day MDA teleon which he hosted for many years became a staple of American television further solidifying his place in entertainment history his legacy continues to inspire and entertain audiences ensuring that his contributions to Comedy and film will be remembered for generations to come thanks for watching see you in our next video

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Keywords: Celebrity, celebrities, celeb, celebs, hollywood, sitcom, actors, actresses, historical, vintage, film, movies, television, viral stories, pop culture, movie star facts, scandals, 60s tv, 70s tv, 80s tv, tv shows, tv stars, hollywood star, top 5, top 10, top 15, top 20, rumors, Hayley Mills, Jay North, Marc Copage, Erin Murphy, Lisa Loring, Butch Patrick, Angela Cartwright, Johnny Crawford, Ron Howard, then and now, child stars, stars of the 60s, stars then and now

Id: 1uaZzApHGOo

Length: 30min 46sec (1846 seconds)

Published: Sun Apr 21 2024