Jerry Lewis, born Joseph Levitch 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 Joey Lewis but later changed it to Jerry Lewis to avoid confusion with comedian Joe E. Lewis and boxing champion Joe Louis.
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.
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.
A pivotal moment came in 1945 when Lewis met singer Dean Martin 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 Martin and Lewis, the team captivated audiences with unscripted, high-energy performances that contrasted Martin's suave singing with Lewis's slapstick antics. Their film debut came with the successful 1949 comedy My Friend Irma, followed by sequels and hits like My Friend Irma Goes West, Hollywood or Bust, and several other projects until their eventual split in 1956.
| Birth Date: | 16 Mar, 1926 |
| Age: | 94 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Newark |
| Education: | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American comedian, actor, film producer, writer and film director |
| Net Worth 2021: | 50 million |
