Jerry Lewis had a blistering career that lasted more than six decades, but his personal life often made headlines for the wrong reasons, especially his last decision that angered his family.
For more than six decades, Jerry Lewis held the world spellbound with his magical talent. Lewis is credited as one of the pioneers of modern-day comedy in Hollywood, but his life beyond the screen was more interesting.
His marriage to his first wife, Patti Palmer, which lasted for more than three decades, was shattered by his flirtatious lifestyle. Here’s a look at Lewis’s life and his family saga.
WHO WAS JERRY LEWIS?
Lewis was born on March 19, 1926, and rose to be one of the central figures in the movie industry in his time. Lewis was a comedian, actor, and director whose unique comic style made him one of the most popular performers of the 1950s and ’60s.
At age 12, Lewis had already developed a special type of comedy miming to records, and it did not take long before he dropped out of school to perform his comic style in New York theatres and nightclubs.
His career blossomed when he met singer Dean Martin in 1944, and after two years, the duo paired up to become a performing team. Martin performed as the singer while Lewis supplied the comedy, thrilling the fans.
Portrait of Jerry Lewis circa 1957 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons Images
After performing in several clubs and cities, the pair received an offer from Paramount, and their first film, “My Friend Irma,” was shot in 1949, which established them as box office stars.
After their last work together in 1959, both stars had a well-publicized fallout that ended their partnership. Afterward, Lewis went solo and signed a new contract with Paramount that gave him more control over his works.
After his most popular and successful work, “The Nutty Professor,” Lewis’s career did not achieve the spark and fame he enjoyed, and as a result, he took a ten-year break from appearing in movies.
Jerry Lewis at an interview for the Ina Balin documentary on May 29, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Photo: Getty Images
FIRST MARRIAGE
His first marriage to Patti Palmer lasted for 35 years, but the duo called it quit in 1983. The former couple tied the knot in 1945 when Lewis’s career was beginning to enjoy wide applause.
The duo tied the knot a few months after they...
