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Comedian Jerry Lewis dead at age 91

GregHarmon GregHarmon Managing Editor Jerry Lewis, the comedian and filmmaker died on Sunday morning at his home in Las Vegas. He was 91.

His death was confirmed by John Katsilometes, a columnist for The Las Vegas Review Journal, who spoke to family members and confirmed the news on Twitter:

Very sad to report entertainment legend #JerryLewis has died today at 9:15 a.m. at his home in Las Vegas. He was 91.— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) August 20, 2017

Lewis battled a multitude of health problems throughout the years, including prostate cancer and two heart attacks. He also suffered from Type 1 diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease.


Lewis's career spanned decades as an actor, comedian, singer, producer, screenwriter, and director of pictures like The Bellboy (1960), The Nutty Professor (1963) to Martin Scorsese’s King of Comedy. Lewis's career as a philanthropist also spanned decades as a host of the MDA Labor Day Telethon, which raised money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Lewis is survived by his wife, SanDee Pitnick, and his children, sons Gary, Ronnie, Scott, Christopher, Anthony and daughter Danielle. His youngest son Joseph died of a drug overdose at the age of 45 in 2009.

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GregHarmon GregHarmon Managing Editor

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