Jerry Lewis

Who they were

Jerry Lewis, American actor and comedian (born 1926)

Early life

Born Joseph Levitch on March 16, 1926, in Newark, New Jersey, Lewis grew up in a show business family; his parents were vaudeville performers. He began performing as a child and developed his signature comedic style early in his career.

Path and career

Lewis partnered with Dean Martin in 1946, forming one of comedy's most famous duos until their split in 1956. He went on to direct and star in films like *The Nutty Professor* (1963) and *The Bellboy* (1960), becoming a major Hollywood figure.

Beyond entertainment, Lewis was renowned for his decades-long association with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, hosting the annual MDA Telethon from 1952 until 2010. His telethon work raised hundreds of millions of dollars for the charity.

Why this date

Jerry Lewis appears on our August 20 calendar for 2017 as a death entry.