Jerry Lewis Interview (November 25, 1978)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- Jerry Lewis (born Joseph Levitch;[a] March 16, 1926 - August 20, 2017) was an American comedian, actor, singer and humanitarian who was famously nicknamed "The King of Comedy", as well as headliner and entertainer. Lewis has appeared in more than 59 motion pictures, including the first sixteen films with his partner, singer Dean Martin, during their act as Martin and Lewis.
As a solo leading star, he acted in Cinderfella (1960), The Bellboy (1960), The Errand Boy (1961), The Ladies Man (1961), It's Only Money (1962), The Nutty Professor (1963), Who's Minding the Store? (1963), The Patsy (1964), The Disorderly Orderly (1964) and The Family Jewels (1965). Lewis portrayed Jerry Langford in Martin Scorsese's The King of Comedy (1982) earning a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor nomination.
He was also an early and prominent user of video assist, while as film director, producer and screenwriter.[3] For television, Lewis co-hosted The Colgate Comedy Hour with Martin, then was emcee of the live annual Jerry Lewis Telethon, part of his philanthropy on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). His work won him several accolades, including two stars on the Walk of Fame. Lewis performed in concert stages, nightclubs and audio recordings.
Lewis appeared in at least 117 film and television productions. France bestowed on Lewis the Legion of Honor. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He is described as one of the greatest comedians of the 20th century.
Early life
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Lewis was born on March 16, 1926, in Newark, New Jersey, to a Jewish family.[4][5] His parents were Daniel "Danny" Levitch (1902-1980), a master of ceremonies and vaudevillian who performed under the stage name Danny Lewis, whose parents immigrated to the United States from the Russian Empire to New York, and Rachael "Rae" Levitch (née Brodsky; 1904-1982), a WOR radio pianist and Danny's music director, from Warsaw.
In 1945, Lewis was 19 when he met 27-year-old singer Dean Martin at the Glass Hat Club in New York City, where the two performed until they debuted at Atlantic City's 500 Club as Martin and Lewis on July 25, 1946. The duo gained attention as a double act with Martin serving as the straight man to Lewis's zany antics. The inclusion of ad-libbed improvisational segments in their planned routines added a unique quality to their act and separated them from previous comedy duos.[25] Martin and Lewis quickly rose to national prominence, first with their popular nightclub act, then as stars of their radio program The Martin and Lewis Show.[26] The two made their television debut on CBS' Toast of the Town (later renamed as The Ed Sullivan Show) June 20, 1948.
In 1976, producer Alexander H. Cohen signed Lewis to star in a revival of Olsen and Johnson's musical-comedy revue Hellzapoppin. "I do think that to succeed today, a comedy revue requires a larger-than-life comic," Cohen told syndicated columnist Jack O'Brian. "That is why I have engaged Jerry Lewis to star in the new production of Hellzapoppin, which I'm preparing for the coming season."[50] Cohen had revived Hellzapoppin as a TV special in 1972, and was impressed by the contributions of Lynn Redgrave; he signed her to appear opposite Lewis. This was Lewis's first Broadway show, and was so eagerly awaited that NBC-TV promised Cohen $1,000,000 for the rights to broadcast the opening night live on national television.
Out-of-town tryouts were staged in Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Boston to excellent business but mixed reviews. There was turmoil behind the scenes, as comedy star Lewis dominated the production and had serious arguments with producer Cohen, co-star Redgrave, and writer-adaptor Abe Burrows. "Lewis and Miss Redgrave had been having a much publicized feud," according to an account in the Pittsburgh Press. "He would neither rehearse nor perform any songs with her, reports said."[51] The backstage chaos extended to several sudden cast changes during the Boston run.
On January 18, 1977, NBC executives flew to Boston to see the show, and their reactions were so negative that Cohen closed the show immediately and canceled both the Broadway engagement and the TV spectacular, forfeiting the million-dollar payment from NBC. "It's not ready for Broadway and cannot be made so in three remaining weeks before the opening," Cohen said. Cohen's spokesman subsequently announced that the stars would be replaced: "Recasting means recasting, and that's it."[52]
1979-2018: Later roles and final work
Lewis guest-hosted as ringmaster of the annual CBS special Circus of the Stars in 1979, and appeared on NBC's short-lived variety show Pink Lady and Jeff in 1980. Lewis made a comeback to the silver screen in Hardly Working (1981), after an 11-year absence from film and despite being panned by critics, it eventually earned $50 million.
Love Jerry.....he was the GOAT of comedy....RIP
Great interviewer , great interview , interviewer not afraid to ask tough questions .....
Great interviewer yes I agree
@@ronnie4639 What's his name?
People are complicated , that's the best definition I can come up with. Although he did a lot of great work for MD, he was in real life, very mean to those around him. Why did he behave like that is a question there is no easy answer.
The fact is, Lewis went out of his way to be protective of those around him and made sure the unsung behind-the-scenes heroes got the recognition and respect they deserved. You have no idea what you’re even talking about.
@@charlesheck6812 What a joke, he wouldn't even look at those working around him let alone protect them. He deserted his own kids. You have no idea what you're talking about. He was a miserable old fool.
Is it possible he was suffering from bi-polar? He was very ill during this time and sure had chip of his shoulder
@@charlesheck6812 so…the woman I saw interviewed recently saying how he asssaulted them in his lockdown dressing room….i don’t even want to say what he did…look it up on the documentary I saw…they were well known woman starring in pictures at the time….sure…I loved his movies…to think that was the whole picture…..think what you want…there’s no reason these actress made up such a horrible story…they were visibly upset……if it was you…how would you react?
Dude said you're an egomaniac and the man goes on to say he's in the company of Chaplin, Laurel and Keaton...No ego at all apparently....
He wasn't wrong.
You’re totally missing the point in your negativity and pettiness. He was talking about the fact that he was multifaceted in his work like those other men were. That he wrote, directed, produced, designed the sets, fixed the sound, invented a video machine so he could make sure the shots were correct… he could sing, he could do a lot of things that’s what he meant. The haters in the comments will always be small petty negative hateful twerps.
He was. He was a superb physical clown and comic, who changed American Showbusiness aged 20. But the buck stopped with him,not Dean Martin. Being a great showman brings with it problems. Incidentally, he knew both Chaplin and Keaton and Stan Laurel (particularly Laurel, who loved him and imparted his wisdom to Lewis), all greatly respected him and saw him often. He actually achieved great things in his working life, he just wasn't a perfect human being. Nor ever claimed to be.
@@charlesheck6812Well said. This man needs a retrospective look at his life and work. He wasn't perfect, we know the latest accusations against and I do not doubt the women who came forward. His life in showbiz was extraordinary - Sinatra was the same poverty,success, showbiz, pimps, whores, women, the Mafia, Hollywood, Vegas and the world. Marriages, kids and mistakes. What a life and what a comic. A great one.
On many occasions he admitted he was an addict. He took 13 Percodan a day for years which includes 1974-1979. He has no recollection of anything he did in this time period.
Nice outfit and posture
Exhibit A of what happens when a person tries to set up boundaries in order to protect themselves. The way the interviewer actually started admonishing JL like he was a child and laying guilt trips on him when he talked about performing during the interview pissed me off.
jerry took thing s with him to the grave but he's told a lot of amazing things about Hollywood and just the entertainment business.
Saw how he locked in a woman in his dressing room, hard to believe he did what he did…..and goes on like it’s ok……he did a lot of great films…but don’t forget the other side…..story told by multiple woman……
The more I learn about him, the more I dislike him. This was a person who was so wrapped up in themselves and didn't give a fig about anyone else. He did raise a lot of money for Muscular Dystrophy. But, he was not a nice person.
you don’t know Jack squat take your negativity, where somebody appreciates it
Yes, he was a creep.
Jerry was beautiful and so misunderstood
When you really learn about him, you'll find out different.
He was an asshole, made some funny movies, though
I didn’t know Joe Louis was Jerry Lewis’ dad!
I respect him a lot for his telethon work and I think he's a good man
I totally disagree, he had 5 sons with his first wife and he disinherited all of them. None of them received one penny from him. Not to mention he was a pervert and a rapist. He was a disgrace of a man.
sociopath ...
dimwit.
Absolutely correct. It's baffling that more people don't spot it. The dead giveaway is the rambling making-it-up-as-he-goes-along nature of his speech. Every interview is the same
At peace due to Vicodin
Hey,
Vicodin
is a MIRACLE drug,
it's the person who misuses
it that's the problem. They RUIN
it for the people who actually need it.
what drugs are you on? Obviously not ones that raise your IQ.
@@skelter1153dumb and judgmental
Place, opportunity, and time, if you want something there is alway a yes man or women that will it what ever you need.
👎
Ya think he could have put on pants for the interview
He had beautiful legs and rightfully showed them off. Are you jealous of his legs?
@@jerrylewisthekid5479really dumb answer 🤦🏻♀️
Hahaha 😂 he's pantless 😅
he’s backstage relaxing before a performance… He can do what he wants you petty pointless little specks.
You don't know why he wasn't wearing pants..he is not in his boxers at least. Jerry was very sick during this time
Could at least put on some pants.
you could at least practice some manners
What an impossible, fascinating man
JERRY LEWIS
16 DE MARZO DE 1926
20 DE AGOSTO DE 2017
91 AÑOS.
Jerry Lewis was no ego maniac he was one of the hardest working entertainers in Hollywood i love every movie he ever did what an amazing person he was he could do it all RIP Mr.Lewis 🙏 thank you for all the happy and funny moments
Some people seemed, meant to be. Laurel & hardy, elvis, monroe, Sinatra. Jerry probably should have been a 10 year phenom & done, but he had so much talent he rolled on into the 70's. Created ground breaking film replay I hear. His schtick was geared for a skinny kid but he made it work for a long time. Would love to have had long conversation with him. But it must be said snubbing all of his children for an adopted daughter was it? That's pretty cold & callus
I dont like the interviewer.
Seems like a braggart who is absolutely full of himself. He disregarded his kids and yet pontificates himself as a " great man"
grim indeed. I hope you get yourself a life.
I like the Interviewer.
“ he was still working for me”…” I was the catalyst”….egomaniacs don’t talk like that
if you can’t see he was being facetious you seriously need metal help
@@charlesheck6812 if you can't see I was being sarcastic you need mental help.
is he playing with it during the interview?
He's rubbing his thigh muscle.
were you playing with it as you wrote that ridiculous comment?
Bah hahahahahaha weeeell
you’re truly a sick petty individual
Amazing man. One of my favorites. Interviewer must have been a clown to actually expect Jerry to 'turn it on' at a drop of a dime....especaially after JUST explaining how he thought that ('switching context') was disrespectful.
Is he high on prednisone?