Happy Birthday, Jerry Lewis!

[tv star collector]

Happy Jerry Lewis Day!
Posted by Mark Evanier at 12:32 AM · Permalink

Eighty years ago today, Joseph Levitch was born in Newark, New Jersey. He grew up -- to the extent he grew up at all -- to become one of the world's most beloved comedians, Jerry Lewis.

But he's a controversial beloved comedian. I know people who love him, people who hate him and people who feel some of both at the same time. It's not just the wide range of quality to his films or the way in one interview, he can ping-pong back and forth between humility and arrogance. There's just something electric about the man...something that makes him fascinating to watch.

In 1995, Jerry made his Broadway debut playing the devil in a revival production of Damn Yankees. My friend Paul Dini and I snagged tickets for his opening night and it was well worth the time 'n' trouble. The audience, packed with Lewis fans, gave him a huge ovation when he made his first appearance, popping up on an elevator from a hole in the stage. They gave him an even bigger ovation at the end when he took his bow, which he followed with a lovely, modest curtain speech. In between, they cheered and laughed at everything, but especially when he did something that just screamed, "JERRY LEWIS!!!" -- a move, a reaction, even one "Hey, laydeeee" that somehow made its way into the dialogue. The star power was incandescent and I doubt anyone who was there will ever forget that evening.

As mentioned here, I saw Mr. Lewis speak recently. He looked in remarkably good shape, not only for a man his age but for one who's been through a chilling array of medical problems. To add to the list of things that make him special, you have the way he's defied all odds and the calendar. Throughout his life and career, he always told people he was six years old and it seems to be working.

By the way: Every history of Mr. Lewis, including those he authored, gives his birth name as Joseph. A few years ago, a devout Lewis fan checked the 1930 census data and found that it listed the son of Daniel and Rachael Levitch as Jerome. Could have been a mistake or it could have been his real moniker...who knows? I just think he's always been Jerry Lewis and always will be. It's nice to have one around.

[Holly]