Jerry Lewis
Actor / Performer
About This Interview
Jerry Lewis was interviewed for nearly two-and-a-half hours in San Diego, CA. Lewis describes his rise to stardom as a performer in the famed Borscht Belt and expresses how his father profoundly shaped his own philosophy on showmanship. Lewis recalls the formation of his legendary partnership with Dean Martin and comments on the remarkable chemistry the two shared. He details his work on early television, including Martin and Lewis' roles as rotating hosts of The Colgate Comedy Hour, and discusses the pair's appearances on The Eddie Fisher Show and on Ed Sullivan's very first show. He speaks of his memorable gig as host of the 1959 Academy Awards, a broadcast that ran 20 minutes short; of his television specials and animated series; and of his work both in front of and behind the camera in over forty films, including favorites like The Bellboy, Cinderfella, and The Nutty Professor. Lewis also discusses the break-up of his partnership with Dean Martin and tells the touching story of how he came to host his annual telethons for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The interview was conducted by Sam Denoff on October 27, 2000.
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Highlights
On what the song, "Youll Never Walk Alone" means to him - the song that closes each MDA Telethon
Clip begins at: 09:30, Duration: 01m 43s
On his outlook on life
Clip begins at: 19:41, Duration: 00m 15s
On Dean Martin
Clip begins at: 05:31, Duration: 05m 31s
Jerry Lewis on creative control on The Colgate Comedy Hour
Clip begins at: 03:20, Duration: 00m 57s- Jerry Lewis on directing for film and television
Clip begins at: 15:59, Duration: 11m 42s - Jerry Lewis on hosting the 1959 Academy Awards telecast which ran short
Clip begins at: 23:14, Duration: 01m 57s - On his recognition for the MDA Telethons
Clip begins at: 13:06, Duration: 01m 11s - On a special television moment with a woman who suffered from neuro-muscular disease
Clip begins at: 06:55, Duration: 01m 36s - On advice to newcomers
Clip begins at: 10:06, Duration: 00m 33s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his childhood and early influences
Clip begins at: 0:66 - On the Borscht Belt
Clip begins at: 16:35 - On meeting Dean Martin
Clip begins at: 23:41 - Part 2
- On forming his partnership with Dean Martin
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On clubs he played at with Dean Martin and on their movies
Clip begins at: 11:02 - On his radio show with Dean Martin
Clip begins at: 14:45 - On his exposure and involvement in early television - color TV tests, The Ed Sullivan Show, Texaco Star Theater, and The Colgate Comedy Hour
Clip begins at: 17:10 - Part 3
- On The Colgate Comedy Hour
Clip begins at: 0:35 - On the rise and fall of Martin and Lewis; on their film career
Clip begins at: 06:34 - On his television specials and television work
Clip begins at: 16:58 - On hosting telethons with Dean Martin
Clip begins at: 26:34 - Part 4
- On hosting MDA telethons; on Jerry's Kids
Clip begins at: 0:36 - On Damn Yankees
Clip begins at: 14:16 - On directing films - The Bell Boy, Cinderfella, The Nutty Professor
Clip begins at: 15:59 - On directing television - Ben Casey and The Bold Ones; and on his animated series Will the Real Jerry Lewis Please Sit Down
Clip begins at: 24:31 - On his reception in France
Clip begins at: 27:41 - Part 5
- On his international popularity
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On his television and film work - Saturday Night Live, Fight For Life, An Evening with Sammy Davis, Jr. & Jerry Lewis, The King of Comedy
Clip begins at: 01:58 - On celebrity and his advice to aspiring performers; on how he'd like to be remembered
Clip begins at: 06:01 - On people with whom he's worked
Clip begins at: 11:03 - On family and values
Clip begins at: 17:20
Shows
People
Topics
Genres
Professions
Watched the whole thing, but I didn't realize til 13:15 of Part Five that they're on a boat this whole time!
Lewis initially gained fame with singer Dean Martin, who served as straight man to Lewis's zany antics in the Martin and Lewis comedy team. The pair distinguished themselves from the majority of comedy acts of the 1940s by relying on their interaction together instead of planned skits.
The French love Jerry Lewis because"The Bellboy" was based on "Mr. Hulliot's Holiday"
JERRY LEWIS IS BEAUTIFUL ;
JERRY LEWIS IS WONDERFUL ;
JERRY LEWIS IS PERFECT.
I AM FAN NUMER ONE (JERRY LEWIS)
JERRY LEWIS ( I LOVE YOU )...
ETERNALLY
ROBERTA MARTINS.
(Fortaleza-Ceará)
BRASIL
MEUS ILUSTRÍSSIMOS AMIGOS,
QUERO DEIXAR AQUI REGISTRADA TODA A MINHA ADMIRAÇÃO E CONSIDERAÇÃO PELO ASTRO REI (JERRY LEWIS). DESEJO QUE O MUNDO INTEIRO SAIBA QUE AQUI NO BRASIL EXISTE UMA FÃ ABSOLUTAMENTE APAIXONADA POR JERRY LEWIS. A MINHA HOMENAGEM PARA JERRY LEWIS É SIMPLESMENTE INFINITA COMO É (A SUA BELEZA E O SEU TALENTO).
JERRY LEWIS (I LOVE YOU)!!!
SINCERELY,
ROBERTA MARTINS.(Fortaleza-Ceara) BRASIL
Brilliant man.
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