Hollywood Pays Tribute to Iconic Jewish Comic Jerry Lewis Following His Death at Age 91
by Shiryn Ghermezian
A number of celebrities shared tributes to comedic legend Jerry Lewis, who died on Sunday at age 91.
Filmmaker Martin Scorsese, who directed the 1983 movie “The King of Comedy,” starring Lewis, remembered the comedy king by saying in a released statement: “Jerry Lewis was a master. He was a great entertainer. He was a great artist. And he was a remarkable man. I had the honor of working with him, and it was an experience I’ll always treasure. He was, truly, one of our greats.”
Penn Jillette, of the comedy duo Penn and Teller, posted on Twitter shortly after news broke of Lewis’ death, “Jerry Lewis just died. When I met him, I [fell] apart, just sobbed. I guess it’s time for that again…Goodbye to the real, no irony, king of comedy.” He also tweeted a photo of himself with “The Nutty Professor” star with the caption, “How did my life get good enough that Jerry Lewis would smile at me? And how sad to lose him.”
Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres called Lewis “a comic and philanthropic icon,” while actor William Shatner said, “The world is a lot less funnier today.” Samuel L. Jackson wrote, “It was incredible knowing & laughing with the Amazing Jerry Lewis! He’ll keep’em laffin in the ever after,” and comedic actor Jim Carry said on Twitter, “That fool was no dummy. Jerry Lewis was an undeniable genius an unfathomable blessing, comedy’s absolute! I am because he was!”
Deana Martin, daughter of Dean Martin — Lewis’ longtime comedy partner — tweeted, “I’m heartbroken at the loss of our life-long friend (Uncle) Jerry Lewis. I’ve loved him all my life and will miss him greatly.” Many also noted that Lewis’ death came less than 24 hours after the passing of fellow comedic icon Dick Gregory.
The White House press secretary also released a statement about Lewis, saying: “Jerry Lewis kept us all laughing for over half a century, and his incredible charity work touched the lives of millions. Jerry lived the American Dream — he truly loved his country, and his country loved him back. Our thoughts are with his family today as we remember the extraordinary life of one of our greatest entertainers and humanitarians. Thank you, Jerry. You will be missed.”
Below are some other tributes to Lewis posted on social media:
One of the greatest of all time. A legend. A showman. A comedic icon. A movie star. An activist. A one of a kind. RIP #jerrylewis pic.twitter.com/h3ODZgZjAa
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) August 20, 2017
My mentor & friend Jerry Lewis has passed away. A visionary. A pioneer in all forms of entertainment. A charitable human. A father.
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) August 20, 2017
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
RIP Jerry Lewis. Thank you for the telethons, the video-tap, and THE KING OF COMEDY– your most perfect, funny, sad, sly performance pic.twitter.com/VAWsCXrBCE
— Richard Shepard (@SaltyShep) August 20, 2017
The King of Comedy Jerry Lewis was a tremendous talent and a good friend. Rest In Peace #jerrylewis. You’ll be sorely missed ? pic.twitter.com/KA0TWrvYir
— Joan Collins (@Joancollinsdbe) August 20, 2017
I realize I may be late with all this but all know is,losing Dick Gregory & Jerry Lewis is a gain 4 heaven, but big loss for comedy
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) August 20, 2017
Oh NOOOOO!!! Jerry Lewis just died! Another comic legend has left us. Martin&Lewis were the Beatles of comedy! Nobody was EVER bigger!
— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) August 20, 2017