Legendary comedian and actor Jerry Lewis has died at the age of 91. His agent told the Las Vegas Review-Journal he died of natural causes in his Las Vegas home on Sunday morning, surrounded by family.
Lewis worked in show business the better part of the past 70 years, skyrocketing to fame in the comedy duo Martin and Lewis with Dean Martin in the 1950s. He continued to make a name for himself starring in and producing such film as The Delicate Delinquent, The Bellboy, and The Nutty Professor throughout the ’60s, before focusing on his Muscular Dystrophy telethon, which was televised every Labor Day and raised a total of $2.45 billion up until he was let go in 2011, according to Variety.
During much of his marathon-hosting career, he was best-known for his cheesy-dad-like humor and for his cult fandom in France. He continued to sporadically work in film, starring in Martin Scorsese’s The King of Comedy in 1982, and guest-starring in various TV episodes like The Simpsons and Law & Order: SVU in the early aughts.
Lewis dealt with many health setbacks throughout his life, including prostate cancer, two heart attacks, Type 1 diabetes, and pulmonary fibrosis, according to the Huffington Post. However, he continued to do one-man shows and performances in Vegas until late last year.
Upon hearing the news, many comedians paid tribute to Lewis on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/jamieleecurtis/status/899335707935752193
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
https://twitter.com/JimCarrey/status/899346214612750336
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
