Jerry Lewis - King of Comedy - dead at 91

KING OF COMEDY DIES

Jerry Lewis dead at 91 – legendary American comedian and film star dies peacefully at home surrounded by his family’

The actor - who first found fame as Dean Martin's comedy partner in the 1950s - passed away at home surrounded by his family, it has been confirmed.

By Carl Greenwood

20th August 2017, 7:02 pm

Updated: 20th August 2017, 8:01 pm

AMERICAN comedy legend Jerry Lewis has died aged 91.

The actor - who first found fame as Dean Martin's comedy partner in the 1950s - passed away at home surrounded by his family, it has been confirmed.

 

The legendary comedian has died aged 91

Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin sing That's Amore in 1953 film The Caddy

 

Jerry was still working in 2006 as he attended the photocall for his film Max Rose

 

The actor, pictured here in 2006, passed away surrounded by his family

 

The comedian won countless awards for his act and was beloved across the world

 

His career began as one half of Martin and Lewis with legendary crooner Dean Martin

"Legendary entertainer Jerry Lewis passed away peacefully today of natural causes at 91 at home with family by his side," a statement from John Katsilometes read.
He died at 9.15am at his home in Las Vegas it has been revealed.
Jerry was one of America's biggest ever stars, with his career spanning multiple decades over radio, television, music and film.
He was even nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for his charity work that saw him raise more than $2.5bn for the fight against Muscular Dystrophy.
He won a huge number of awards including Emmys, BAFTAs and a special Oscar award from the Academy for his achievements as both as an actor and a director.
In 1984 he was presented with the French Legion of Honour, in 2009 the Academy gave him the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

 

He hosted The Jerry Lewis Telethon for charity up until 2011

 

Jerry won awards across the world, and was pictured here with Goldie Hawn collecting their Goldene Kamera awards in Berlin

​American comedian Jerry Lewis stars in British cult film 'Funny Bones

 

The star's career began in the 1950s and soared like none other

 

He was America's leading comedy actor for decades

Lewis was the son of professional entertainers Daniel and Rachel Levitch in 1926 and was just five years old when he made his professional debut.
He sang Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? at the legendary upstate New York showbiz training ground Broscht Belt and got the performing bug immediately.

 

He played all manner of zany characters, including directing himself in Jerry Lewis Cracking up in 1983

 

He appeared in 1952's The Stooge alongside his regular partner Dean Martin as well as Polly Bergen and Marion Marshall