Hollywood Remembers Jerry Lewis: Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese, Sandra Bernhard Honor King Of Comedy
Refresh for updates Hollywood lost one of its greats today, and the tributes arrived with the precision of the The Nutty Professor‘s perfect comic timing. From Brett Ratner and Michael Eisner to one-time co-star Robert De Niro and MDA Telethon sidekick Tony Orlando, Lewis’ friends, colleagues and fans offered their thoughts.
De Niro, who costarred with Lewis in Martin Scorsese’s brilliant The King of Comedy in 1982, said in a statement: “Jerry was a pioneer in comedy and film. And he was a friend. I was fortunate to have seen him a few times over the past couple of years. Even at 91, he didn’t miss a beat… Or a punchline. You’ll be missed.”
Scorsese said in a statement, “Jerry Lewis was a master. He was a giant. He was an innovator. He was a great entertainer. He was a great artist. And he was a remarkable man. I had the honor of working with him, and it was an experience I’ll always treasure. He was, truly, one of our greats.”
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Jerry Lewis. You were blessed, and blessed us with the perfect combination of comedy and Tragedy. A perfect clown who could do it all. Rest
— Goldie Hawn (@goldiehawn) August 20, 2017
So long, Jerry. You made me howl with laughter. And you paid me to write for you, proving you REALLY had a zany streak. Miss ya, man, bad.
— Dick Cavett (@TheDickCavett) August 20, 2017
Rest In Peace, Jerry Lewis. I loved your movies as much as France did. The Nutty Professor and Cinderfella will always be classics to me.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 20, 2017
Watching Jerry Lewis onscreen makes me laugh harder than almost anyone. His great contribution to cinema is undeniable. #RIP
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) August 20, 2017
So saddened to learn of the passing of Jerry Lewis, a true comic icon. In Boston 1947 I roared at his and Dean's first ever performance
— carl reiner (@carlreiner) August 20, 2017
We lost one of the great ones today…possibly the greatest. Jerry Lewis was one of my comedy heroes & was a gigan… https://t.co/Baob4Gn29E pic.twitter.com/dmkjsDlPHi
— Sean Hayes (@SeanHayes) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis, a complicated soul who made the whole world laugh has died.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) August 20, 2017
Well done, gentlemen. Godspeed #DickGregory & #JerryLewis! https://t.co/mHCeY4f9z7
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) August 20, 2017
Dick Gregory and Jerry Lewis in a 12 hour span? That shit happens in threes. I'm rollin' up in bubble wrap and layin' on the floor & whatnot
— George Wallace (@MrGeorgeWallace) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis was the first director to use video assist when he directed. He was a genius innovator and super funny.
— Tommy Chong (@tommychong) August 20, 2017
Jerry, I will miss your wisdom #JerryLewis #Innovator #Genius pic.twitter.com/IIVgCjmhx1
— David Copperfield (@D_Copperfield) August 20, 2017
RIP Jerry Lewis, You will never be forgotten. You changed so many lives. Prayers for friends & family.
— RJ Mitte (@RjMitte) August 20, 2017
I mourn the passing of my friend Jerry Lewis. He was the Friars Club's Abbott and I its Dean. He could always make me laugh. pic.twitter.com/aZ1ZmMM2Y5
— Larry King (@kingsthings) August 20, 2017
The comedian of my youth was Jerry. With Dean Martin the magic was unstoppable. RIP. #JerryLewis https://t.co/30QdM7pllN
— Michael Eisner (@Michael_Eisner) August 20, 2017
Man… I'm just floored. Growing up all kids have super heroes… #jerrylewis was mine. Such a… https://t.co/6sLt0EYDdO
— marlon wayans (@MarlonWayans) August 20, 2017
He dedicated his life to making us all laugh & healing the children of the world from the dreaded disease of Muscular Dystrophy. #JerryLewis pic.twitter.com/DIyX0pV1us
— Tony Orlando (@TonyOrlando) August 20, 2017
I'm heartbroken at the loss of our life-long friend (Uncle) Jerry Lewis. I've loved him all my life and will miss him greatly.
Deana Martin pic.twitter.com/ECsrZ4haLd— Deana Martin (@DeanaMartin_) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis was a true movie legend and comedy pioneer. Rest in peace
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) August 20, 2017
That fool was no dummy. Jerry Lewis was an undeniable genius an unfathomable blessing, comedy's absolute! I am because he was! ;^D pic.twitter.com/3Zdq9xhXlE
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis was a genius comedian, actor, director, inventor, humanitarian and, as a Las Vegan, what I miss most..https://t.co/R0uLkPOwyU
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis passed today,millions around the world loved him,millions of kids he helped w/his telethons. R.I.P. &condolences 2 his family
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) August 20, 2017
The King of Comedy Jerry Lewis was a tremendous talent and a good friend. Rest In Peace #jerrylewis. You'll be sorely missed
— Joan Collins (@Joancollinsdbe) August 20, 2017
I'm so heartbroken that Jerry Lewis passed away. His buddy films w/ Dean Martin are still some of my all-time favorites…
— Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) August 20, 2017
If I never saw your work in The Bellboy, which you directed in 1 week, my characters on SNL would never have been the same #RIP #JerryLewis pic.twitter.com/LI85dzjiW0
— Chris Kattan (@ChrisKattan) August 20, 2017
#RestInPeace #JerryLewis He was my greatest comedic inspiration. For you film students out there… https://t.co/EZ4rGGM5D1
— Brett Ratner (@BrettRatner) August 20, 2017
Oh NOOOOO!!! Jerry Lewis just died! Another comic legend has left us. Martin&Lewis were the Beatles of comedy! Nobody was EVER bigger!
— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) August 20, 2017
To lose @IAmDickGregory & #JerryLewis days apart… My thoughts and prayers to your families, talent like yours can never be equalled! #RIP
— octavia spencer (@octaviaspencer) August 20, 2017
It was incredible knowing & laughing with the Amazing Jerry Lewis! He'll keep'em laffin in the ever after!
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) August 20, 2017
Sad to read about the passing of Jerry Lewis. We met when we both received honorary degrees from Emerson in '93; how he made me laugh! RIP. pic.twitter.com/fNKcEyXFXK
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) August 20, 2017
My mentor & friend Jerry Lewis has passed away. A visionary. A pioneer in all forms of entertainment. A charitable human. A father.
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis loomed large in my family. Many movies with my mom & he made home movies with Janet and Tony. He made me and many laugh. #rip pic.twitter.com/4LbEbc9FCT
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) August 20, 2017
The French were right about him all along. RIP Jerry Lewis pic.twitter.com/jNLRPQeS4G
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis! Oy! Another comic legend gone. What an amazing talent and philanthropist. A long, well lived life!#RIPJerryLewis
— Jon Lovitz (@realjonlovitz) August 20, 2017
Dick Gregory and Jerry Lewis were two of the funniest, most legendary and prolific entertainers of our generation and I bow to their genius.
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) August 20, 2017
RIP jerry lewis… he was always so nice to me – the greatest of all time.
— Harry Connick Jr (@HarryConnickJR) August 20, 2017
It was one of the great experiences of my career he was tough but one of a kind #JerryLewis https://t.co/ohGUzlYPYB
— Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) August 20, 2017
Condolences to the family of Jerry Lewis. The world is a lot less funnier today. ☹️
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) August 20, 2017
As a child I LIVED for his movies. NOBODY could match his on-screen hilarity! As an adult I learned he was just as funny backstage. #Genius pic.twitter.com/4YuuXpRT0p
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) August 20, 2017
As a kid, I'm pretty sure I was the biggest Jerry Lewis fan in the world. Truly. R.I.P. Jerry Lewis.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis has passed on. I sincerely hope his afterlife is a warm, peaceful…
…haven.
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) August 20, 2017
How did my life get good enough that Jerry Lewis would smile at me? And how sad to lose him. pic.twitter.com/taPhl1utzO
— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) August 20, 2017
One of the greatest of all time. A legend. A showman. A comedic icon. A movie star. An activist. A one of a kind. RIP #jerrylewis pic.twitter.com/h3ODZgZjAa
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis, wildly funny noodle of a man, a futuristic fine tuned comedy machine for his time, one of the rule writers, a KING. #RIPJerry
— Krumholtz (@mrDaveKrumholtz) August 20, 2017
Every early film of mine was really just a horrible impression of Jerry Lewis.
He was the King— Ethan Embry (@EmbryEthan) August 20, 2017
RIP Jerry.
You first inspired me with The Nutty Professor .
You filled the world with laughter #JerryLewis— patrick warburton (@paddywarbucks) August 20, 2017
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