Jerry Lewis
It was sad to hear the news on Sunday that another legend of the old years has passed away.
Jerry Lewis was a comedian, actor and filmmaker who was adored by many, and was a defining figure of American entertainment in the 20th century.
And who could forget the incredible comic duo of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis!
Chad, one of our longtime friends of RUSC, left a review of the series which reads:-
These two guys were absolutely amazing. Having these episodes are well worth the price of the membership alone. This is a must listen.
I couldn't agree more!
The two performed in clubs before they made it onto the radio circuit, where they eventually got their own show called The Martin and Lewis Show which ran from 1949-1952 on NBC.
It was a comedy and variety show that featured the two performers along with several other big names, and they performed together until 1956 when they broke up their act.
It would be another twenty years, at the 1976 Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon, when Frank Sinatra told Lewis he had "a friend who loves what you do" and wanted to say hello. It was one of those 'goosebump' moments, when Dean Martin strolled on to the stage, cigarette in hand, to embrace his estranged partner for the first time in 20 years.
Jerry Lewis was obviously stunned and uncharacteristically speechless.
"I think it's about time, don't you?" said Sinatra, standing between the two men, one arm draped around Lewis' shoulder.
Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin then sang a rambling duet, followed by some more friendly banter as they waved goodbye to the host across the stage and walked off.
Dean Martin died on Christmas Day in 1995 aged 78, and Jerry Lewis, who hosted the telethon until 2010, died on 20th August 2017 at the age of 91.
The annual charity event he founded over half a century ago was discontinued after Labor Day 2014, but from its inception in 1966, over $2.45 billion was raised for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. What a terrific legacy to leave behind.
Happy listening my friends,
