Jerry Lewis
Telethon hosting comedian
Jerry Lewis was an American comedian and filmmaker known for his manic physical comedy, exaggerated facial expressions, and high-pitched voice.
He rose to fame in the 1940s as half of a comedy duo with Dean Martin, then became a major solo star in films like *The Nutty Professor*.
Lewis was also celebrated in France as a cinematic genius—a reputation Americans found baffling—and hosted a muscular dystrophy telethon for decades.
Amusing quality
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
- pratfallComedic fall on buttocks
- physical comedyHumor from bodily mishaps
- muggingRobbery with violence
clowning · funnyman · entertainer · gag · sketch · improv · pantomime · vaudeville
Genetic muscle-wasting condition
- Labor DayHoliday honoring workers
- fundraiserEvent collecting money
- hostOne receiving guests
- pledgeBinding promise given
donation · broadcast · live · marathon · tote board · toll-free · variety show · celebrities
One who portrays characters
- directorOne who leads
- producerOne who makes things
- HollywoodAmerican film industry center
- Dean MartinMid-century crooner and actor
Paramount · screenwriter · box office · leading man · premiere · studio · feature · soundtrack
Voluntary aid for others
- humanitarianHelper of suffering people
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- generosityReadiness to give freely
- altruismPrioritizing others' wellbeing
donations · nonprofit · activism · patronage · giving · endowment · advocacy · volunteerism
humor
Amusing quality
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
- pratfallComedic fall on buttocks
- physical comedyHumor from bodily mishaps
mugging · clowning · funnyman · entertainer · gag · sketch · improv · pantomime · vaudeville · buffoonery
muscular dystrophy
Genetic muscle-wasting condition
- Labor DayHoliday honoring workers
- fundraiserEvent collecting money
- hostOne receiving guests
pledge · donation · broadcast · live · marathon · tote board · toll-free · variety show · celebrities · annual
actor
One who portrays characters
Dean Martin · Paramount · screenwriter · box office · leading man · premiere · studio · feature · soundtrack · auteur
charity
Voluntary aid for others
- humanitarianHelper of suffering people
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- generosityReadiness to give freely
altruism · donations · nonprofit · activism · patronage · giving · endowment · advocacy · volunteerism · benevolence
- Stage NamesLady Gaga, Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, John Wayne, Cher
- Famous Lewises
- Business IconsRockefeller, Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan
- Screen LegendsHumphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn
- New JerseyansBruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, Jon Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston, Danny DeVito
Jerry LewisBuster Keaton
Bob Newhart · Jack Benny · Aubrey Plaza · Bill Murray · Oscar Wilde
Jerry LewisCharlie Chaplin
Mark Twain · Woody Allen · critically acclaimed · art house cinema