Jerry Lewis biography, net worth, married, divorce, wife

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<p>Jerry Lewis, born <a href="/biography/jerry-lewis">Joseph Levitch</a> on March 16, 1926, in Newark, New Jersey, was an iconic American comedian, actor, filmmaker, and humanitarian. With a career spanning over seven decades, Lewis became a beloved figure in entertainment, captivating television and film audiences with his distinctive humor and energy. He was born to Daniel Levitch, a master of ceremonies, and Rachel Levitch, a pianist for a local radio station. Early in his career, he used the stage name <a href="/biography/jerry-lewis">Joey Lewis</a> but later changed it to Jerry Lewis to avoid confusion with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_E._Lewis">comedian</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_E._Lewis">Joe E. Lewis</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Louis">boxing champion</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Louis">Joe Louis</a>.</p>

<h2>Early Life and Training</h2>

<p>Lewis began performing alongside his parents in nightclubs in the Catskill Mountains at just five years old. His comedic instincts and love for performance were apparent even in childhood. He attended Irvington High School but left before graduation, dropping out in the tenth grade at age fifteen. Due to a congenital heart condition, he was deemed unfit for military service during World War II.</p>

<h2>Launching a Career in Comedy</h2>

<p>Starting out proved difficult for Lewis, who found little success with his early solo routines and often struggled to find suitable work. He took odd jobs, including working as a theater usher. His fortunes changed when Max Coleman, a friend of his father's and a fellow comedian, persuaded him to return to stand-up. With Coleman's encouragement, Lewis performed at Brown’s Hotel in New York, where his lively and original style drew attention, eventually opening doors in the entertainment industry.</p>

<h2>Partnership with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Martin">Dean Martin</a></h2>

<p>A pivotal moment came in 1945 when Lewis met <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Martin">singer</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Martin">Dean Martin</a> at the Glass Hat Club in New York City. Their partnership, formed spontaneously onstage, evolved into one of the most celebrated duos in American comedy. Known simply as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_and_Lewis">Martin and Lewis</a>, the team captivated audiences with unscripted, high-energy performances that contrasted <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Martin">Martin</a>'s suave singing with Lewis's slapstick antics. Their film debut came with the successful 1949 comedy <em>My Friend Irma</em>, followed by sequels and hits like <em>My Friend Irma Goes West</em>, <em>Hollywood or Bust</em>, and several other projects until their eventual split in 1956.</p>
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<h2>Film and Directorial Success</h2>

<p>After parting ways with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Martin">Martin</a>, Lewis quickly proved his versatility as a solo performer, debuting in <em>The Delicate Delinquent</em> (1957), which was both a critical and commercial success. He transitioned into directing, producing, and screenwriting, bringing a unique creative vision to films like <em>The Nutty Professor</em>, widely cited today as a classic of American comedy. Other noteworthy directorial efforts include <em>The Bellboy</em> and <em>Three on a Couch</em>. Although the film <em>The Day the Clown Cried</em> has never been officially released, it remains a subject of public curiosity and film history discussions.</p>

<p>Late in his career, Lewis resurfaced in film with small but memorable roles. He appeared in the critically praised drama <em>Funny Bones</em> (1995) and later returned to the screen in a supporting role in the 2016 crime thriller <em>The Trust</em>, co-starring <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolas_Cage">Nicolas Cage</a> and <a href="/biography/elijah-wood">Elijah Wood</a>.</p>

<h2>Personal Life and Humanitarian Work</h2>

<p>Jerry Lewis married Patti Palmer in 1944. Together, they had six sons, including one adopted child. The couple divorced in 1980, after which Lewis married SanDee Pitnick in 1983; they adopted a daughter together. He experienced personal tragedy when his youngest son, Joseph, passed away in 2009.</p>

<p>A dedicated philanthropist, Lewis was highly regarded for his decades of humanitarian work, most notably through the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). He hosted the annual Labor Day Telethon for over 40 years and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for his efforts in combating muscular dystrophy. In recognition of his humanitarian contributions, Lewis received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy Awards in 2009.</p>

<h2>Legacy and Net Worth</h2>

<p>Jerry Lewis remains a towering figure in American entertainment for his innovation in comedy and passionate humanitarian work. At the time of his death in 2017, he had an estimated net worth of $50 million. His influence endures in modern comedy and film, and his contributions to muscular dystrophy research have left a lasting impact far beyond the stage and screen.</p>

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