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Stonepounder

(4,033 posts)
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 12:56 PM Aug 2017

Post Nation Jerry Lewis, comedian who became one of the most unforgettable entertainers of his time,

Source: Washington Post

Few comedians have been so beloved and so derided as Jerry Lewis, who amassed devoted fans and stunningly hostile reviews from critics. Few have been so accomplished as humanitarians — his annual muscular dystrophy telethons had raised almost $1.5 billion by the late 2000s — or so polarizing as personalities. Lewis appeared in more than 50 films during a career marked by dizzying summits and desperate lows.

This is a developing story. It will be updated.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/08/20/jerry-lewis-comedian-who-became-one-of-the-most-unforgettable-entertainers-of-his-time-dies-at-91/?pushid=5999ccf1a1ccab1d00000034&tid=notifi_push_breaking-news&utm_term=.a6ab72fefa13



Another great comedian gone.
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Post Nation Jerry Lewis, comedian who became one of the most unforgettable entertainers of his time, (Original Post) Stonepounder Aug 2017 OP
Watching now. spiderpig Aug 2017 #1
That's the first thing I thought! n/t TexasBushwhacker Aug 2017 #7
Have to admit that while a child I thought he was hilarious spiderpig Aug 2017 #12
My friend's experience was the reverse. tavernier Aug 2017 #43
Jerry Lewis stevil Aug 2017 #2
Sad to hear although he was pretty old. Ligyron Aug 2017 #3
Which of his films have you seen? oberliner Aug 2017 #4
Many in various parts, although I'd often switch channels before they ended. Ligyron Aug 2017 #10
I have to agree with you PatSeg Aug 2017 #11
He was damn good in King of Comedy sarge43 Aug 2017 #15
That's why. Ligyron Aug 2017 #18
Peaceful passage, Mr Lewis. n/t sarge43 Aug 2017 #23
His earlier ones, MurrayDelph Aug 2017 #29
People said he became a conceited jerk after that. Ligyron Aug 2017 #31
I may be wrong MurrayDelph Aug 2017 #32
I wonder if now they will release "The Day The Clown Cried." Archae Aug 2017 #5
I wondered that too TexasBushwhacker Aug 2017 #8
A huge part of my life growing up underpants Aug 2017 #6
Now there is one less racist Trumpbot in the world. Dawson Leery Aug 2017 #9
Loretta had a stroke in May TexasBushwhacker Aug 2017 #17
Sure they did..... SergeStorms Aug 2017 #19
I loved him in 'The King of Comedy' Siwsan Aug 2017 #13
Don't know his politics so I'm unsure of his value as a human being. Dreamer Tatum Aug 2017 #14
Right. Gotta wait for the facts n/t fountainofyouth Aug 2017 #20
I see what you did there! MyOwnPeace Aug 2017 #27
Here ya go... Liberalagogo Aug 2017 #25
I gathered senility caught up with him Lithos Aug 2017 #40
Same thing Liberalagogo Aug 2017 #42
Rest in Peace, Jerry Langford... Dennis Donovan Aug 2017 #16
My Jerry Lewis epiphany. grantcart Aug 2017 #21
Could you update the thread title, please? muriel_volestrangler Aug 2017 #22
I liked his early movies with Dean Martin. C Moon Aug 2017 #24
I just saw this on the news. Snackshack Aug 2017 #26
R.I.P. to another impactful entertainer. BumRushDaShow Aug 2017 #28
Might I recommend reading up on what certain groups of disabled people thought of him? Crash2Parties Aug 2017 #30
Like many, I thought he was funny when I was a kid in the 50's... Rollo Aug 2017 #34
Thank you for articulating that perspective Boomer Aug 2017 #41
Racist wingnut, loathed by many disabled folks, and not funny imo obamanut2012 Aug 2017 #33
Jerry Lewis - one of a kind. yallerdawg Aug 2017 #35
I recall reading a review of "The Nutty Professor" a few years ago - first film after his split from diva77 Aug 2017 #36
Good guy madokie Aug 2017 #37
"The King of Comedy" The Wizard Aug 2017 #38
Recently saw him on an old Carol Burnett episode joeybee12 Aug 2017 #39
I always felt the guy had an ego maniacal mean-streak and he supported TRUMP: FreeStateDemocrat Aug 2017 #44
Good riddance to an ableist piece of shit NCDem777 Aug 2017 #45

spiderpig

(10,419 posts)
12. Have to admit that while a child I thought he was hilarious
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:28 PM
Aug 2017

As I grew older I really felt he exploited medical issues under the guise of being a humanitarian.

This became personal when a coworker went to his charity for help 40 years ago and they offered nothing.

Nonetheless he lived a very long life. I guess that states something without really saying anything.


Ligyron

(7,879 posts)
3. Sad to hear although he was pretty old.
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:07 PM
Aug 2017

I have to say, I never found him to be all that funny and often times just plain obnoxious. That real high "I'm being funny so laugh" voice he would use grated on me.

Ligyron

(7,879 posts)
10. Many in various parts, although I'd often switch channels before they ended.
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:22 PM
Aug 2017

I enjoyed the one where he and Martin were running from gangsters and ended up on a zombie island but it was pretty much a rip-off of Bob Hope in The Ghost Breakers.

Many thought he was comic genius (apparently many French) but I never saw it. Abott and Costello, Three Stooges, etc. - yes, Lewis, no.

Anyway, RIP Jerry...

PatSeg

(49,696 posts)
11. I have to agree with you
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:22 PM
Aug 2017

His humor was often so slapstick and over-the-top, it was hard to watch. I enjoyed him as child though.

Ligyron

(7,879 posts)
18. That's why.
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:42 PM
Aug 2017

His "I'm playing an idiot" slapstick with the childish voice was just plain obnoxious.

But I've broken my Mother's rule now, speaking ill...

RIP Jerry, your telethons rocked.

MurrayDelph

(5,424 posts)
29. His earlier ones,
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 03:23 PM
Aug 2017

when he allowed someone else to direct him, were funny.

Once he officially became "a genius" and had to always direct himself, they slowly stopped being so.

Ligyron

(7,879 posts)
31. People said he became a conceited jerk after that.
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 03:46 PM
Aug 2017

Ran around Vegas wrecking cars, high on pain killers, etc.

Some say he had an awakening of conscience at some point and that's why he took up the cause of MS = perhaps as a sort of repentance.

Anyway, good for him for doing so.

MurrayDelph

(5,424 posts)
32. I may be wrong
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 03:56 PM
Aug 2017

but I believe he and Dean both appeared at Muscular Dystrophy benefits before the split-up.

TexasBushwhacker

(20,652 posts)
8. I wondered that too
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:19 PM
Aug 2017

Although Lewis was allowing its release when it goes into the Library of Congress in 2024.

Dawson Leery

(19,366 posts)
9. Now there is one less racist Trumpbot in the world.
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:20 PM
Aug 2017

Are Trumpbots Loretta Lynn and Kenny Rogers next?

Both loved Trump's hard line stance against immigrants.

SergeStorms

(19,312 posts)
19. Sure they did.....
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:44 PM
Aug 2017

and I'll bet any amount they all had undocumented workers in their homes. The vast majority of Republicans do. They LOVE slave wage immigrants working for them, then they tell "angry Americans" that it's the IMMIGRANTS who are at fault. Hypocrites, every one.

Siwsan

(27,266 posts)
13. I loved him in 'The King of Comedy'
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:35 PM
Aug 2017

I wasn't a big fan of his comedic style - kind of over the top, for me - but I was truly surprised at his performance with De Niro.

He's pretty much the last of that generation of comedic movie actors. I hope his spirit had a peaceful journey.

Dreamer Tatum

(10,926 posts)
14. Don't know his politics so I'm unsure of his value as a human being.
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:35 PM
Aug 2017

If he's a liberal, he's the greatest guy ever.

If he's a Republican, may he burn in hell.

 

Liberalagogo

(1,770 posts)
42. Same thing
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 06:44 PM
Aug 2017

happened with Mary Tyler Moore. She became a False Noise Nut in her final years.
I choose to remember the enjoyment I got from some of these people's performances rather than their politics.
I've gotten slammed for it here at DU when I mentioned certain people whose work I enjoyed.

grantcart

(53,061 posts)
21. My Jerry Lewis epiphany.
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:48 PM
Aug 2017

Completely unintentionally Jerry Lewis had a big impact on my life as a grade schooler. I was raised in a highly conformist Goldwater household. Everything had its place and everything had its time. No exceptions were allowed. My mother had very firm habits.

We never saw a Jerry Lewis movie in the theaters because my mother had decided that he was not funny in any way.

On the last day of 5th grade all students with good behavior records (basically everyone in the school but me) were released to attend a movie in the gymnasium. Then they let me go too. I was shocked to find 400 children watching a Jerry Lewis movie and laughing uncontrollably. I was so amazed to find that the universal truth that Jerry Lewis wasn’t funny that I scarcely watched the movie, I had an epiphany, not everything was black and white and not everybody agreed with my mother.

Ironically I never did find him that funny either, but I like the man and his desire to help vulnerable children.

muriel_volestrangler

(102,414 posts)
22. Could you update the thread title, please?
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:56 PM
Aug 2017

We can guess what this is about, but it would be better if it was clear, and the rules do say use the title of the article. Thanks.

Snackshack

(2,541 posts)
26. I just saw this on the news.
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 02:47 PM
Aug 2017

As a child I sat with my grandma and watched many of his movies/roasts and Telethons and had lots of laughs. Thank you Mr. Lewis for all the laughs!

You will be missed! RIP!

BumRushDaShow

(141,711 posts)
28. R.I.P. to another impactful entertainer.
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 03:04 PM
Aug 2017

As controversial as he was over the decades (like Joan Rivers), as a kid I know that I watched my share of the MD telethons in the early '70s just to see who was performing. His slapstick comedic style was certainly a template for many who followed (like Jim Carrey) and the definition of pure over-the-top wackiness. I had seen bits and pieces of his many films on the old indie stations here in Philly, but was never that big a fan of his type of slapstick (Dick Van Dyke was the gentler but just as wacky type of rubber comedian).

R.I.P. and condolences to his family.

Crash2Parties

(6,017 posts)
30. Might I recommend reading up on what certain groups of disabled people thought of him?
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 03:35 PM
Aug 2017

His telethons have been resoundingly denounced as fine-tuning the, "fundraising from pity" technique which is demeaning and demoralizing and his movies were ableist as could be. People with MD have also said he induced decades of internalized ableism in them. His movie characters were based on mocking a range of people with atypical bodies & neurologies. In general he was not "beloved" in those regards by everyone.

So as you laud him, please consider that perhaps you are doing so from a position of certain privilege. Above all, please listen when less-privileged communities tell you, "No, that is not a good thing".

Rollo

(2,559 posts)
34. Like many, I thought he was funny when I was a kid in the 50's...
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 04:11 PM
Aug 2017

But as a teen I got tired of his mugging and clowning. Even his slapstick started looking contrived. And by the time I was an adult, I was embarrassed by his mocking of the developmentally disabled, on which he built much of his early success.

I don't know that the reason for the split with Dean Martin was, but I suspect it was largely Lewis' needy, egotistical, attention craving personality.

Come to think of it, Trump did a Jerry Lewis imitation when he mocked a disabled reporter. But I was already tired of Trump by then.

Shame.

Boomer

(4,246 posts)
41. Thank you for articulating that perspective
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 05:52 PM
Aug 2017

Long before I had any political sensibilities and a coherent intellectual response, I found Lewis's version of comedy to be creepy and distasteful. To me it seemed obvious that he was trading off of erratic physical movements to trigger laughter. His childish mugging -- teetering on the edge of mental impairment -- was somehow supposed to be endearing and funny in a grown man.

When I think of seminal comedians, Lewis is nowhere on the list. Instead, Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd were superb as the everyday man taking pratfalls and falling victim to fate. They were portrayed with compassion and whimsy that invited laughter out of self-recognition rather than mockery and pity.

obamanut2012

(27,770 posts)
33. Racist wingnut, loathed by many disabled folks, and not funny imo
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 04:10 PM
Aug 2017

I actually thought he died a few years ago, until he started squawking about Trump.

yallerdawg

(16,104 posts)
35. Jerry Lewis - one of a kind.
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 04:17 PM
Aug 2017

The "Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association" was an annual iconic fundraiser that impacted millions and millions of kids and raised our civic and charitable awareness.

"The Nutty Professor" is just plain one of the greatest movies of all time.

Jerry Lewis was the precursor to a whole range of comedic acts and the careers that followed including Robin Williams.

Rest in peace, Jerry Lewis.

diva77

(7,880 posts)
36. I recall reading a review of "The Nutty Professor" a few years ago - first film after his split from
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 04:23 PM
Aug 2017

Dean Martin -- it was really about him playing both Martin & Lewis ...

madokie

(51,076 posts)
37. Good guy
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 04:27 PM
Aug 2017

No two ways about it he was a good person.

I used to love watching him and Dean Martin. Laugh so hard my sides would hurt for days.

Jerry, if anyone deserves to be 'up there' it is you bro'

I hope the passing wasn't too rough on you. You'll live on in my memory as long as I have one.

Peace Brother

 

joeybee12

(56,177 posts)
39. Recently saw him on an old Carol Burnett episode
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 05:23 PM
Aug 2017

Watching it I thought, yeah now I get why he was so funny. He was hilarious on the show. RIP

 

FreeStateDemocrat

(2,654 posts)
44. I always felt the guy had an ego maniacal mean-streak and he supported TRUMP:
Mon Aug 21, 2017, 01:57 PM
Aug 2017

In a December 2015 interview on EWTN's World Over with Raymond Arroyo, Lewis expressed opposition to the United States letting in Syrian refugees, saying "No one has worked harder for the human condition than I have, but they're not part of the human condition if 11 guys in that group of 10,000 are ISIS. How can I take that chance?"[52] In the same interview, he criticized President Barack Obama for not being prepared for ISIS, while expressing support for Donald Trump, saying he would make a good president because he was a good "showman". He also added that he admired Ronald Reagan's presidency.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Lewis

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