Jerry Lewis Dead at 91
The comedy world has lost another icon.
Jerry Lewis, who rose to fame alongside Dean Martin, influenced generations of comedians and raised billions of dollars thanks to his Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy telethon, has died at the age of 91.
Lewis’ death was confirmed by Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist John Katsilometes, who said Lewis died this morning in his home in Las Vegas and shared the following statement from his family: “Legendary entertainer Jerry Lewis passed away peacefully today of natural causes at 91 at his home with family by his side.”
As expected, many figures from the comedy and entertainment world took to social media to pay their respects to the comedy legend.
Jerry Lewis has passed on. I sincerely hope his afterlife is a warm, peaceful...
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) August 20, 2017
...haven.
How did my life get good enough that Jerry Lewis would smile at me? And how sad to lose him. pic.twitter.com/taPhl1utzO
— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) August 20, 2017
The French were right about him all along. RIP Jerry Lewis pic.twitter.com/jNLRPQeS4G
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) August 20, 2017
Had the great privilege of interviewing Jerry Lewis once; he was smart, funny, and sharp as a razor. He also starred in Scorsese's best film pic.twitter.com/gIIfSKnmdP
— Mark Kermode (@KermodeMovie) August 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/kumailn/status/899330834200633344
I grew up with Jerry Lewis. He let me know it was ok to be goofy.
— Ryan Stiles (@WhoseRyanStiles) August 20, 2017
Back with Dean. Rest In Peace.
Lady!!!
Jerry Lewis & Dick Gregory in the same weekend. wow.
— Nubyjas Wilborn (@nwilborn19) August 20, 2017
We have lost a great comedian and even greater heart. Thank you for the laughs and the feels, Jerry Lewis. https://t.co/vdYCfd7atJ
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 20, 2017
Dick Gregory and Jerry Lewis in a 12 hour span? That shit happens in threes. I'm rollin' up in bubble wrap and layin' on the floor & whatnot
— George Wallace (@MrGeorgeWallace) 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
Always funny. Always helpful. Always honest. I will miss you Jerry Lewis. The world has lost a true innovator & icon. pic.twitter.com/mJzLbh0VFd
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) August 20, 2017
RIP jerry lewis... he was always so nice to me - the greatest of all time.
— Harry Connick Jr (@HarryConnickJR) August 20, 2017
Condolences to the family of Jerry Lewis. The world is a lot less funnier today. ☹️
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) August 20, 2017
"You might as well like yourself; just think about all the time you're gonna have to spend with you." — Jerry Lewis #RIP pic.twitter.com/R4UGIGSxBv
— Tribeca (@Tribeca) August 20, 2017
One of my biggest thrills. RIP Jerry Lewis pic.twitter.com/KhX4gD2ktg
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) August 20, 2017
Comedy legend Jerry Lewis passed away at his home in Las Vegas. He was 91. Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/inXRbGC5pU
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis was a giant who spanned every aspect to 20th century show business and kept going into the 21st. He might as well rest now.
— James Urbaniak (@JamesUrbaniak) August 20, 2017
Dick Gregory and Jerry Lewis were two of the funniest, most legendary and prolific entertainers of our generation and I bow to their genius.
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) August 20, 2017
RIP Jerry Lewis, a true comedic genius. pic.twitter.com/BrGiwDjQGO
— Meredith Frost (@MeredithFrost) August 20, 2017
Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Jerry Lewis. @THR remembers him here https://t.co/LgS8ICs37K
— TCM (@tcm) August 20, 2017
Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock blogger. The first man she ever loved was Jack Daniel. (True story.)