US Oscar winning comedian Jerry Lewis has died aged 91 at his home in Las Vegas. The comedian had a number of health issues since June 2006 when he suffered a heart attack.
His agent announced the news on Twitter:
Very sad to report entertainment legend #JerryLewis has died today at 9:15 a.m. at his home in Las Vegas. He was 91.
— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) August 20, 2017
Lewis was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1926 as Joseph Levitch. Show business was in his blood with both parents working in the arts.
He started working in comedy at the age of 16 but his career took off in 1945 once he started working with Dean Martin in nightclubs, films and then TV.
The comedy duo fell out after 11 years as a comic act in 1956, but Lewis continued to work solo in slapstick films.
He wrote, directed and starred in The Bellboy and Cinderfella, The Errand Boy,The Nutty Professor and Which Way to the Front and The King of Comedy.
He was married twice and had one daughter and six sons.
He was awarded an Oscar for his humanitarian work but bemoaned the fact: "Because they didn't think enough of my work. Because what I did didn't command consideration because it's slapstick, because it's lowbrow, because the Academy's always been cautious about comedy."
Tributes are paid to the comedian by the acting community
Jerry Lewis loomed large in my family. Many movies with my mom & he made home movies with Janet and Tony. He made me and many laugh. #rip pic.twitter.com/4LbEbc9FCT
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) August 20, 2017
Condolences to the family of Jerry Lewis. The world is a lot less funnier today. ☹️
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) August 20, 2017
That fool was no dummy. Jerry Lewis was an undeniable genius an unfathomable blessing, comedy's absolute! I am because he was! ;^D pic.twitter.com/3Zdq9xhXlE
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis was an angel to me. Loved him & will never forget what he did for me during one of the worst times in my life. RIP, Love Roe pic.twitter.com/0OoQV4yaae
— Rose Marie-Official (@RoseMarie4Real) August 20, 2017
It was incredible knowing & laughing with the Amazing Jerry Lewis! He'll keep'em laffin in the ever after!
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis passed today,millions around the world loved him,millions of kids he helped w/his telethons. R.I.P. &condolences 2 his family
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) August 20, 2017
