| Jerry Lewis Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft |
| Weight | 73 kg |
| Date of Birth | March 16, 1926 |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Date of Death | August 20, 2017 |
Jerry Lewis was an American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker, and humanitarian who gained international acclaim as one-half of the comedy duo Martin and Lewis, along with Dean Martin. He is best remembered for his appearances in films like The Ladies Man (1961), At War with the Army (1950), The King of Comedy (1982), Funny Bones (1995), The Nutty Professor (1963), The Bellboy (1960), The Family Jewels (1965), Three on a Couch (1966), etc.
Born Name
Joseph/Jerome Levitch
Nick Name
Jerry Lewis, The King of Comedy, Le Roi du Crazy, Picchiatello
Age
He was born on March 16, 1926.
Died
He passed away on August 20, 2017, in Las Vegas from end-stage cardiac disease and peripheral artery disease at the age of 91 years.
Sun Sign
Pisces
Born Place
Newark, New Jersey, United States
Nationality
Occupation
Comedian, Actor, Singer, Filmmaker, Humanitarian
Family
- Father – Daniel Levitch aka Danny Lewis (Master of Ceremonies, Vaudevillian)
- Mother – Rachael ‘Rae’ Brodsky (Radio Pianist, Music Director)
Net Worth
At the time of his death, Jerry Lewis’ net worth was $50 million according to CelebrityNetWorth.com.
Build
Slim
Height
6 ft or 183 cm
Weight
73 kg or 161 lbs
Girlfriend / Spouse
Jerry Lewis had dated –
- Patti Palmer (1944-1983)​ – On October 3, 1944, he married singer Patti Palmer (née Esther Grace Calonico). She gave birth to the couple’s 5 sons named Gary Lewis (b. July 31, 1945), Scott Lewis (b. February 22, 1956), Christopher Lewis (b. October 9, 1957), Anthony Lewis (b. October 14, 1959), and Joseph Lewis (b. January 7, 1964). Furthermore, the couple adopted another son named Ronald Lewis (b. December 29, 1949). But, their marriage ended in divorce in 1983, in part, due to Lewis’ numerous affairs.
- Lynn Dixon – In the 1950s, he had an affair with model Lynn Dixon (aka Suzan Lewis) while still being married to Patti Palmer. Their affair produced a daughter named Susan Minoret (b. February 3, 1952).
- Marlene Dietrich (1951)
- Marilyn Monroe (1961)
- SanDee Pitnick (1983-2017) – His second marriage was to the ballerina and stewardess SanDee Pitnick on February 13, 1983. The couple adopted a daughter named Danielle Sara Lewis (b. March 23, 1992) and stayed married until Jerry’s death in 2017.
- Gloria DeHaven
- Jeanne Carmen
- Gina Lollobrigida
- Stella Stevens
Race / Ethnicity
White
He had Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.
Hair Color
Black
However, his hair had turned ‘Gray’ by the time of his death.
Eye Color
Hazel
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
- Chin dimple
- Almost always wore women’s wristwatches, often from Cartier
- His theme song Rock-a-Bye Your Baby (with a Dixie Melody)
- Raspy, nasal voice imbued with a ‘honking’ timbre
Jerry Lewis Favorite Things
- Martin and Lewis Film – The Stooge (1951)
Source – IMDb
Jerry Lewis Facts
- He suffered a mild heart attack while shooting a scene for Cinderfella (1960), in which he was required to run up 66 steps in a mere 8 seconds.
- Lewis was hugely inspired by J. D. Salinger‘s seminal novel, The Catcher in the Rye (1951) and felt deeply connected to its protagonist, Holden Caulfield. Moreover, he aspired to direct a movie based on the book, but could not acquire rights to the book from the notoriously reclusive author.
- Among his many accolades were being awarded the French Legion of Honor in 1984 and being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for his 50-year commitment to raising funds for muscular dystrophy.
- Lewis had turned down the role of Jerry/Daphne in Billy Wilder’s classic comedy, Some Like It Hot (1959), because he was not comfortable dressing in drag. Jack Lemmon ended up playing the role and receiving an Oscar nomination for his splendid performance. Reportedly, Lemmon sent him a box of chocolates every year as a token of gratitude.
Featured Image by Bud Fraker / Wikimedia / Public Domain
