Editing Jerry Lewis (section)

==Personal life==
===Relationships and children===
Lewis wed Patti Palmer (née Esther Grace Calonico; 1921–2021), a singer with [[Ted Fio Rito]], on October 3, 1944.<ref name="JLIP"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-56796-035-8|title=Nonfiction Book Review: I Laffed Till I Cried: Thirty-Six Years of Marriage to Jerry Lewis by Patti Lewis, Author, Sara Coleman, Author, Lorraine Hope Caldwell, Foreword by WRS Group $19.95 (167p) ISBN 978-1-56796-035-8|website=PublishersWeekly.com|access-date=December 13, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213210025/https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-56796-035-8|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bloom|first=Nate |url=https://www.stljewishlight.com/features/as-a-teen-jerry-lewis-fought-anti-semitism-with-his/article_5e54d80a-8dad-11e7-9301-fb4e40c9ee9b.html |title=As a teen, Jerry Lewis fought anti-Semitism with his fists|website=St. Louis Jewish Light|access-date=July 3, 2019|archive-date=July 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703183645/https://www.stljewishlight.com/features/as-a-teen-jerry-lewis-fought-anti-semitism-with-his/article_5e54d80a-8dad-11e7-9301-fb4e40c9ee9b.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/las-vegas-nv/patti-lewis-10004942 |title=Patti Lewis Obituary |access-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227203310/https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/las-vegas-nv/patti-lewis-10004942 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">[https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHMC-WY9 "United States Census, 1940", database with images, ''FamilySearch''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913124440/https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHMC-WY9 |date=September 13, 2021 }} March 15, 2018), Ester Calonico in household of John Farinno, Tract 911, Highland Park, Highland Park City, Wayne, Michigan, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 82–155, sheet 15B, line 60, family 46, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790–2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 1832.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Lewis |first1=Patti|last2=Coleman|first2=Sarah Jepson|year=1993|title=I laffed till I cried: thirty-six years of marriage to Jerry Lewis|publisher=WRS|oclc=028417657}}</ref> They had six sons together; five biological: [[Gary Lewis (musician)|Gary]] (born 1945),<ref name="Kehr"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pleasekillme.com/gary-lewis|title=Gary Lewis, 'Jerry's Kid,' Runs for His Life|first=Michael|last=Shelley|work=PleaseKillMe.com|date=October 23, 2018|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227202809/https://pleasekillme.com/gary-lewis/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Joseph L.|last=Malamut|title=Southwest Jewry - Volume 3|year=1957|publisher=Sunland Publishing Company|page=80}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Leopold|last=Hoenig|title=Four Families|year=1999 |publisher=University of Wisconsin|page=20}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Levy |first=Shawn |title=King of Comedy: The Life and Art of Jerry Lewis |year=1996 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0312132484 |page=63 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g6XuCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA63 |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405034451/https://books.google.com/books?id=g6XuCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA63 |url-status=live }}</ref> Scott (born 1956), Christopher (born 1957), Anthony (born 1959) and Joseph (1964–2009);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/lewis-son-i-blame-my-mean-evil-dad-for-brothers-death_1127899|title=Joseph Lewis|date=January 7, 2010|work=contactmusic.com|access-date=January 13, 2010|archive-date=February 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215204925/http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/lewis-son-i-blame-my-mean-evil-dad-for-brothers-death_1127899|url-status=live}}</ref> and one [[Adoption|adopted]]: Ronald (born 1949).<ref name="Eghrari">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/markeghrari/2017/09/27/jerry-lewis-disinherited-5-of-his-kids-and-heres-why-we-know/|title=Jerry Lewis Disinherited 5 Of His Kids, And Here's Why We Know|last=Eghrari|first=Mark|website=Forbes|access-date=July 3, 2019|archive-date=July 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703183647/https://www.forbes.com/sites/markeghrari/2017/09/27/jerry-lewis-disinherited-5-of-his-kids-and-heres-why-we-know/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was an [[interfaith marriage]]; Lewis was Jewish and Palmer was Catholic.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Frazier |first1=Kelly |title=Jerry Lewis Dies at 91 – "Religion is in the Heart" |url=https://www.worldreligionnews.com/entertainment/celebrity/jerry-lewis-dies-91-religion-heart/ |website=World Religion News |date=August 21, 2017 |access-date=26 April 2023 |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426010703/https://www.worldreligionnews.com/entertainment/celebrity/jerry-lewis-dies-91-religion-heart/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

While married to Palmer, Lewis likely fathered a daughter, Suzan (born 1952) with Lynn Dixon Kleinman.<ref>Kennedy, Dana (August 26, 2017). "[https://www.thedailybeast.com/jerry-lewis-and-the-homeless-daughter-he-cruelly-ignored Jerry Lewis and the Homeless Daughter He Cruelly Ignored] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106233251/https://www.thedailybeast.com/jerry-lewis-and-the-homeless-daughter-he-cruelly-ignored |date=January 6, 2024 }}." ''The Daily Beast''.</ref><ref>"[https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/jerry-lewis-homeless-daughter Jerry Lewis' Alleged Illegitimate Daughter Homeless In Philadelphia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106233252/https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/jerry-lewis-homeless-daughter/ |date=January 6, 2024 }}." ''CBS News''. September 14, 2017.</ref> [[DNA]] testing indicated an 88.7 percent probability that Suzan is related to Lewis' acknowledged son Gary.<ref>"[https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/gary-lewis-says-he-has-no-regrets Gary Lewis says he has no regrets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106233252/https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/gary-lewis-says-he-has-no-regrets/ |date=January 6, 2024 }}." ''Las Vegas Review-Journal''. March 15, 2009.</ref> Lewis openly pursued relationships with other women and gave unapologetic interviews about his [[infidelity]], revealing his affairs with [[Marilyn Monroe]] and [[Marlene Dietrich]] to ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/movies/jerry-lewis-on-his-secret-love-affair-with-marilyn-monroe-i-was-crippled-for-a-week/|title=Jerry Lewis on His Secret Love Affair with Marilyn Monroe: 'I Was Crippled for a Week'|website=PEOPLE.com|access-date=July 3, 2019|archive-date=July 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703183646/https://people.com/movies/jerry-lewis-on-his-secret-love-affair-with-marilyn-monroe-i-was-crippled-for-a-week/|url-status=live}}</ref> Palmer filed for divorce from Lewis in 1980, after 35 years of marriage, citing Lewis's extravagant spending and infidelity on his part, and it was finalized in 1983.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/after-35-years-of-marriage-patti-lewis-sues-jerry-for-separation-and-450000-a-year-vol-14-no-14/|title=After 35 Years of Marriage, Patti Lewis Sues Jerry for Separation and $450,000 a Year|website=PEOPLE.com|access-date=July 3, 2019|archive-date=July 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703183644/https://people.com/archive/after-35-years-of-marriage-patti-lewis-sues-jerry-for-separation-and-450000-a-year-vol-14-no-14/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="who">{{cite web|url=http://digilander.libero.it/comedian/whois.htm|title=Who is Jerry Lewis|publisher=Digilander.libero.it|access-date=October 23, 2011|archive-date=January 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108010051/http://digilander.libero.it/comedian/whois.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="people.com">{{cite magazine|url=http://people.com/archive/after-35-years-of-marriage-patti-lewis-sues-jerry-for-separation-and-450000-a-year-vol-14-no-14|title=After 35 Years of Marriage, Patti Lewis Sues Jerry for Separation and $450,000 a Year|magazine=People|date=October 6, 1980|access-date=March 16, 2019|archive-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415045657/https://people.com/archive/after-35-years-of-marriage-patti-lewis-sues-jerry-for-separation-and-450000-a-year-vol-14-no-14/|url-status=live}}</ref> All of Lewis's children and grandchildren from his marriage to Palmer were excluded from inheriting any part of his estate.<ref name="mercurynews.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/21/jerry-lewis-left-his-five-sons-from-his-first-marriage-out-of-his-will/|title=Jerry Lewis left his five sons from his first marriage out of his will|date=September 21, 2017|website=The Mercury News|access-date=July 3, 2019|archive-date=July 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703183644/https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/21/jerry-lewis-left-his-five-sons-from-his-first-marriage-out-of-his-will/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/news/a44958/jerry-lewis-reportedly-cut-six-of-his-children-out-of-his-will/|title=Apparently Jerry Lewis "Intentionally Excluded" Six of His Children From His Will|date=September 22, 2017|publisher=Country Living|access-date=December 13, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213205138/http://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/news/a44958/jerry-lewis-reportedly-cut-six-of-his-children-out-of-his-will/|url-status=live}}</ref> His eldest son, Gary, publicly called his father a "mean and evil person" and said that Lewis never showed him or his siblings any love or care.<ref name="mercurynews.com"/>

Lewis's second wife was Sandra "SanDee" Pitnick,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1817700/|access-date=June 14, 2018|title=SanDee Pitnick|website=[[IMDb]]|archive-date=August 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828045455/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1817700/|url-status=live}}</ref> a [[University of North Carolina School of the Arts]] professionally trained ballerina and [[Flight attendant|stewardess]], who met Lewis after winning a [[bit part]] in a dancing scene on his film ''Hardly Working''. They wed on February 13, 1983, in [[Key Biscayne]], Florida,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/jerry-lewis-3-3-05/13/|title=Jerry Lewis|work=[[CBS News]]|access-date=May 4, 2015|archive-date=August 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823073812/https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/jerry-lewis-3-3-05/13/|url-status=live}}</ref> adopted a daughter, Danielle (born 1992), and were married for 34 years until Lewis's death on August 20, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/jerry-lewis-opens-up-sons-709775|title=At Home With Jerry Lewis as He Opens Up About Son's Death, Skirmishes With Fans|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=June 6, 2014|access-date=December 13, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213210411/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/jerry-lewis-opens-up-sons-709775|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/comedian-jerry-lewis-celebrates-lavish-86th-birthday-in-nyc|title=Comedian Jerry Lewis celebrates lavish 86th birthday in NYC|website=[[Fox News]]|date=March 19, 2012|access-date=December 13, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213205158/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/03/19/comedian-jerry-lewis-celebrates-lavish-86th-birthday-in-nyc.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.inquirer.net/201244/jerry-lewis-still-quick-and-sharp-at-90|title=Jerry Lewis still quick and sharp at 90|first=Ruben V.|last=Nepales|date=September 11, 2016|access-date=December 13, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213210712/http://entertainment.inquirer.net/201244/jerry-lewis-still-quick-and-sharp-at-90|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Interests ===
After opening a camera shop in 1950, Lewis agreed to lend his name to "Jerry Lewis Cinemas" in 1969, offered by National Cinema Corporation, as a franchise business opportunity for those interested in theatrical movie exhibition. Jerry Lewis Cinemas stated that their theaters could be operated by a staff of as few as two with the aid of automation and support provided by the franchiser in booking film and other aspects of film exhibition. A forerunner of the smaller rooms typical of later multi-screen complexes, a Jerry Lewis Cinema was billed in franchising ads as a "mini-theatre" with a seating capacity of between 200 and 350.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}

In addition to Lewis's name, each Jerry Lewis Cinema bore a sign with a cartoon logo of Lewis in profile.<ref>{{cite news|last=Connelly|first=Sherilyn|title=Bad Ideas from the 1970s: Jerry Lewis Cinema Franchises Were a Nutty Disaster|newspaper=SF Weekly|url=http://blogs.sfweekly.com/exhibitionist/2011/08/jerry_lewis_cinemas_the_nutty.php|access-date=October 19, 2011|archive-date=December 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228032345/http://blogs.sfweekly.com/exhibitionist/2011/08/jerry_lewis_cinemas_the_nutty.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Initially 158 territories were franchised, with a buy-in fee of $10,000 or $15,000 depending on the territory, for what was called an "individual exhibitor." For $50,000, Jerry Lewis Cinemas offered an opportunity known as an "area directorship", in which investors controlled franchising opportunities in a territory as well as their own cinemas.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id8z8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA75-IA4|magazine=Life|title=Join Jerry Lewis (advt.)|page=75|date=December 31, 1971|access-date=October 23, 2011}}</ref> The success of the chain was hampered by a policy of only booking second-run, family-friendly films. Eventually the policy was changed, and the Jerry Lewis Cinemas were allowed to show more competitive movies. But after a decade the chain failed and both Lewis and National Cinema Corporation declared bankruptcy in 1980.<ref>{{cite news|last=ccrouch|title=Fantasy & Failure With Jerry Lewis Cinemas|url=http://cinelog.org/cinelog/2009/03/28/fantasy-failure-with-jerry-lewis-cinemas/|publisher=Cinelog.org|access-date=October 19, 2011|archive-date=January 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111124232/http://cinelog.org/cinelog/2009/03/28/fantasy-failure-with-jerry-lewis-cinemas/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1973, Lewis appeared on the 1st Annual 20-hour Highway Safety Foundation Telethon, then in 1990, wrote and directed ''Boy'', a short film for [[UNICEF]]'s ''How Are The Children?'' anthology,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g6XuCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA452 |title=King of Comedy: The Life and Art of Jerry Lewis|last=Levy|first=Shawn|date=1996|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-0312132484|page=452}}</ref> meeting up with seven-year-old Lochie Graham in 2010, who shared his idea for "Jerry's House", a place for vulnerable and traumatized children<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/outer-east/ringwood-east-teen-lochie-graham-bands-with-comedian-jerry-lewis-to-create-a-house-full-of-laughter/news-story/c7c7ad1847d30dd2751d3fa90d956a51|title=Ringwood East teen Lochie Graham bands with comedian Jerry Lewis to create a house full of laughter|first1=Emma-Jayne|last1=Schenkless|date=April 18, 2016|website=heraldsun|access-date=September 13, 2021|archive-date=December 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217121509/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/outer-east/ringwood-east-teen-lochie-graham-bands-with-comedian-jerry-lewis-to-create-a-house-full-of-laughter/news-story/c7c7ad1847d30dd2751d3fa90d956a51|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hope2day.org/jerrys-house/|title=jerryshouse|website=jerryshouse|access-date=February 24, 2017|archive-date=February 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224212130/http://www.hope2day.org/jerrys-house/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and in 2016, would lend his name and star power to [[Criss Angel]]'s HELP (Heal Every Life Possible) charity event.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Ethan |title=Criss Angel's HELP Charity Event Benefiting Pediatric Cancer Research And Treatment |url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/entertainer-jerry-lewis-speaks-during-criss-angels-help-news-photo/606522530 |website=Getty Images |date=September 16, 2016 |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621183344/https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/entertainer-jerry-lewis-speaks-during-criss-angels-help-news-photo/606522530 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Political views ===
Lewis kept a low political profile for many years, having taken advice reportedly given to him by President [[John F. Kennedy]], who told him, "Don't get into anything political. Don't do that because they will usurp your energy."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/columns-blogs/doug-elfman/how-jack-kennedy-talked-jerry-lewis-out-500-million-charity-loan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924005840/http://www.reviewjournal.com/columns-blogs/doug-elfman/how-jack-kennedy-talked-jerry-lewis-out-500-million-charity-loan|archive-date=September 24, 2016|title=How Jack Kennedy Talked Jerry Lewis Out Of A $500 Million Charity Loan|first=Doug|last=Elfman|date=August 31, 2008|access-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref> Nevertheless, he campaigned and performed on behalf of both JFK and [[Robert F. Kennedy]], and was a supporter of the [[civil rights movement]]. For his 1957 NBC special, Lewis held his ground when southern affiliates objected to his friendship with Sammy Davis, Jr.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} In a 1971 ''Movie Mirror'' magazine article, Lewis spoke out against the [[Vietnam War]]. He vowed to leave the country rather than send another of his sons.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

Lewis observed that political speeches should not be at the [[Academy Awards|Oscars]]. He stated, "I think we are the most dedicated industry in the world. And I think that we have to present ourselves that night as hard-working, caring and important people to the industry. We need to get more self-respect as an industry."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jerry-lewis-talks-hollywood-argo-424974|title=Jerry Lewis on 'Argo,' Old Hollywood and his Fans in France|date=February 28, 2013|access-date=December 20, 2016|via=The Guardian|archive-date=October 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012004650/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jerry-lewis-talks-hollywood-argo-424974|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2004 interview with ''[[The Guardian]]'', Lewis was asked what he was least proud of, to which he answered, "Politics."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hattenstone |first=Simon |date=April 8, 2004 |title='My dream is to be perfect' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/apr/08/1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913123241/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/apr/08/1 |archive-date=September 13, 2014 |access-date=September 4, 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |quote=What is he least proud of? Politics, he says. Not his politics, but the world's politics - the madness, the destruction, the general lack of respect.}}</ref>

He mocked citizens' lack of [[patriotism|pride in their country]], stating, "President [[George W. Bush|Bush]] is my president. I will not say anything negative about the president of the United States. I don't do that. And I don't allow my children to do that. Likewise, when I come to England don't you do any jokes about 'Mum' to me. That is the [[Elizabeth II|Queen of England]], you moron. Do you know how tough a job it is to be the Queen of England?"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/apr/08/1|title=My dream is to be perfect|first=Simon|last=Hattenstone|date=April 8, 2004|access-date=December 20, 2016|work=The Guardian}}</ref>

In a December 2015 interview on EWTN's ''World Over'' with Raymond Arroyo, Lewis expressed opposition to the United States letting in [[Refugees of the Syrian Civil War|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 [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIS]]. How can I take that chance?"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liberty.news/2016-01-15-jerry-lewis-unleashed-acclaimed-comedian-slams-obamas-destructive-policies-while-praising-donald-trump.html|title=Jerry Lewis unleashed: Acclaimed comedian slams Obama's destructive policies while praising Donald Trump|website=www.liberty.news|access-date=December 21, 2016|archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222152440/http://www.liberty.news/2016-01-15-jerry-lewis-unleashed-acclaimed-comedian-slams-obamas-destructive-policies-while-praising-donald-trump.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGmyHivWyN8| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/sGmyHivWyN8| archive-date=December 11, 2021 | url-status=live|title=World Over&nbsp;– 2015-12-17 &nbsp;– Jerry Lewis Exclusive with Raymond Arroyo|publisher=EWTN|date=December 18, 2015|access-date=December 20, 2016|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/06/06/donald-trumps-celebrity-endorsements-a-complete-list/jerry-lewis/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/06/06/donald-trumps-celebrity-endorsements-a-complete-list/jerry-lewis/ |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=From Jon Voight to Azealia Banks: a guide to Donald Trump's celebrity supporters|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=June 6, 2016|access-date=December 20, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/movies/jerry-lewis-says-syrian-refugees-stay-where-hell-173251288.html|title=Jerry Lewis Praises Donald Trump, Says Syrian Refugees 'Should Stay Where the Hell They Are' (Video)|website=Yahoo! News|date=December 29, 2015|access-date=December 20, 2016|archive-date=September 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916160435/https://www.yahoo.com/movies/jerry-lewis-says-syrian-refugees-stay-where-hell-173251288.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Stalking incident===
In February 1994, a man named Gary Benson was revealed to have been stalking Lewis and his family.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1994-02-10-9402100509-story.html|title=JERRY LEWIS SAYS SUSPECT HAS STALKED HIM FOR YEARS|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=February 10, 1994|access-date=June 30, 2019|archive-date=June 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630004128/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1994-02-10-9402100509-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Benson subsequently served four years in prison.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/06b584fae025073b6531fa1d0db559db|title=Jerry Lewis Stalker Apologizes|website=AP NEWS|access-date=February 4, 2020|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818092111/https://apnews.com/06b584fae025073b6531fa1d0db559db|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Allegations of sexual assault ===
In February 2022, ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' reported that several of Lewis's co-stars from the 1960s had come forward to share allegations of sexual assault, harassment, and verbal abuse.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cava |first=Marco della |title=Comedy icon Jerry Lewis 'fondled' women and 'unzipped,' his female co-stars allege |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/02/23/comedy-giant-jerry-lewis-accused-sexual-assault-harassment-female-costars/6914549001/ |access-date=December 12, 2022 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212060107/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/02/23/comedy-giant-jerry-lewis-accused-sexual-assault-harassment-female-costars/6914549001/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=NJ.com |first=Amy Kuperinsky {{!}} NJ Advance Media for |date=February 26, 2022 |title=Jerry Lewis accused of sexual assault and harassment: 'He was all over me' |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2022/02/jerry-lewis-accused-of-sexual-assault-and-harassment-he-was-all-over-me.html |access-date=December 12, 2022 |website=nj |language=en |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212060107/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2022/02/jerry-lewis-accused-of-sexual-assault-and-harassment-he-was-all-over-me.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Those whose accounts were made public included [[Karen Sharpe]], [[Hope Holiday]], [[Anna Maria Alberghetti]], and [[Lainie Kazan]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Jerry Lewis's Costars Speak Out: 'He Grabbed Me. He Began to Fondle Me. I Was Dumbstruck' |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/02/jerry-lewis-sexual-assault-harassment-investigation |access-date=February 24, 2022 |publisher=Vanity Fair |date=February 24, 2022 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224000328/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/02/jerry-lewis-sexual-assault-harassment-investigation |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Illness and death ===
Lewis suffered from a number of chronic health problems, illnesses and addictions related both to aging and a back injury sustained in a comedic [[wikt:pratfall|pratfall]]. The fall has been stated as being either from a piano while performing at the [[Sands Hotel and Casino]] on the [[Las Vegas Strip]] on March 20, 1965,<ref name= usat>{{cite news|last=Clark|first=Mike|title=Jerry Lewis Tells It Like It Is&nbsp;– And Was|work=[[USA Today]]|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/2002-08-29-jerry_x.htm|date=August 29, 2002|access-date=March 6, 2009|archive-date=March 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310202310/http://www.usatoday.com/life/2002-08-29-jerry_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=seattlepi>{{cite news|title=A Moment With ... Jerry Lewis, Comedian/Entertainer/Philanthropist|date=April 10, 2003|newspaper=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/movies/116664_moment10.html|access-date=March 7, 2009|archive-date=January 4, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104235223/http://www.seattlepi.com/movies/116664_moment10.html|url-status=live}}</ref> or during an appearance on ''[[The Andy Williams Show]]''.<ref name="A Love Story"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Levy |first=Shawn|title=King of Comedy: The Life and Art of Jerry Lewis}}{{full citation needed|date=February 2023}}</ref> In its aftermath, Lewis became addicted to the painkiller [[Oxycodone/aspirin|Percodan]] for thirteen years.<ref name="usat" /> He said he had been off the drug since 1978.<ref name="seattlepi" /> In April 2002, Lewis had a [[Medtronic]] "Synergy" [[Neurostimulation|neurostimulator]] implanted in his back,<ref name="medtronic">{{cite web |title=Jerry's Story |website=Medtronic.com|date=May 17, 2011 |url=http://www.medtronic.com/neuro/ttp/ps_jerry.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204063110/http://www.medtronic.com/neuro/ttp/ps_jerry.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 4, 2005|access-date=October 23, 2011}}</ref> which helped reduce the discomfort. He was one of the company's leading spokesmen.<ref name="seattlepi"/><ref name="medtronic"/>

Lewis suffered numerous heart problems throughout his life; he revealed in the 2011 documentary ''[[Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis]]'' that he suffered his first heart attack at age 34 while filming ''Cinderfella'' in 1960.<ref name=madness>{{cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-08-22/lifestyle/9608210390_1_jerry-lewis-clown-hal-wallis|title=A&E Profiles The Manic Genius of Jerry Lewis|access-date=March 16, 2015|newspaper=[[Sun-Sentinel]] (Fort Lauderdale)|date=August 22, 1996|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402122124/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-08-22/lifestyle/9608210390_1_jerry-lewis-clown-hal-wallis|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bmonster.com/cult35.html|title= Cult|website= Bmonster.com|access-date= October 23, 2011|archive-date= September 27, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110927105552/http://www.bmonster.com/cult35.html|url-status= live}}</ref> In December 1982, at age 56, he suffered his second heart attack and that same month underwent [[cardiac surgery|open-heart]] [[Coronary artery bypass surgery|double-bypass surgery]].<ref>{{cite web|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|title=After Open-Heart Surgery, King of Comedy Jerry Lewis Bounces Back with a Bride-to-Be|date=February 7, 1983|last=Jerome|first=Jim|url=https://people.com/archive/after-open-heart-surgery-king-of-comedy-jerry-lewis-bounces-back-with-a-bride-to-be-vol-19-no-5/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190928015841/https://people.com/archive/after-open-heart-surgery-king-of-comedy-jerry-lewis-bounces-back-with-a-bride-to-be-vol-19-no-5/|archive-date=September 28, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=September 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jerry Lewis Has Heart Bypass Surgery - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/12/21/Jerry-Lewis-Has-Heart-Bypass-Surgery/9165409294800/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> En route to San Diego from New York City on a cross-country commercial airline flight on June 11, 2006, Lewis suffered his third heart attack at age 80.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sciretta|first=Peter|title=Jerry Lewis Suffers Heart Attack|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/article.php/20060614023221649|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927220430/http://www.slashfilm.com/article.php/20060614023221649|url-status=dead| archive-date=September 27, 2007|date= June 14, 2006|publisher=[[/Film]]|access-date=June 15, 2009}}</ref> It was discovered that he had [[pneumonia]], as well as a severely damaged heart. He underwent a [[cardiac catheterization]] days after the heart attack, and two [[stent]]s were inserted into one of his coronary arteries, which was 90 percent blocked.<ref name=hospital>{{cite news|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|title=Jerry Lewis out of the hospital|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jun-20-et-quick20.3-story.html|date=June 20, 2006|agency=Associated Press|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190928020205/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jun-20-et-quick20.3-story.html|archive-date=September 28, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=September 28, 2019}}</ref> The surgery resulted in increased blood flow to his heart and allowed him to continue his rebound from earlier lung problems. Having the cardiac catheterization required him to cancel several major events from his schedule, but Lewis fully recuperated in a matter of weeks.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}

In 1999, Lewis's Australian tour was cut short when he had to be hospitalized in [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] with viral [[meningitis]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Meningitis Hospitalizes Jerry Lewis|url=https://apnews.com/1413fcd08061c1b917034f8b09d56f88|website=AP NEWS|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818220505/https://apnews.com/1413fcd08061c1b917034f8b09d56f88|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Jerry Lewis Misses Part of Telethon|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-sep-07-me-7597-story.html|date=September 7, 1999|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802021854/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-sep-07-me-7597-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was ill for more than five months. It was reported in the Australian press that he had failed to pay his medical bills. However, Lewis maintained that the payment confusion was the fault of his health insurer. The resulting negative publicity caused him to sue his insurer for US$100&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Price |first=Jenna |date=June 11, 2000 |title=Jerry Lewis Calls The Shots Now That He's Paid His Bill |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]]}}</ref>

In addition to his decades-long heart problems, Lewis had [[prostate cancer]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Henkel|first=John|title=Prostate Cancer: New Tests Create Treatment Dilemmas|url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1370/is_n10_v28/ai_15955600/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708120551/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1370/is_n10_v28/ai_15955600/ |url-status=dead|archive-date= July 8, 2012|date=December 1994|work=[[FDA Consumer]]|publisher= [[BNET]]|access-date=June 16, 2009}}</ref> [[type 1 diabetes]],<ref name="seattlepi" /><ref>{{cite web|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/jerry-lewis-opens-up-sons-709775|date=June 6, 2014|author=Feinberg, Scott|title=At Home With Jerry Lewis as He Opens Up About Son's Death, Skirmishes With Fans|access-date=March 27, 2018|archive-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213210411/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/jerry-lewis-opens-up-sons-709775|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[pulmonary fibrosis]].<ref name="usat" /> In the late 1990s, Lewis was treated with [[prednisone]]<ref name="usat" /> for pulmonary fibrosis, which caused considerable weight gain and a startling change in his appearance. In September 2001, Lewis was unable to perform at a planned London charity event at the [[London Palladium]]. He was the headlining act, and was introduced, but did not appear onstage. He had suddenly become unwell, apparently with cardiac problems.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.drmirkin.com/weekly-ezine-page/jerry-lewis-lifelong-comedy-and-pain.html|title=Dr. Gabe Mirkin on Health, Fitness and Nutrition. {{!}} Jerry Lewis: Lifelong Comedy and Pain|website=www.drmirkin.com|access-date=December 7, 2018|archive-date=December 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123914/http://www.drmirkin.com/weekly-ezine-page/jerry-lewis-lifelong-comedy-and-pain.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

He was subsequently taken to a hospital. Some months thereafter, Lewis began an arduous, months-long therapy that weaned him off prednisone, and he lost much of the weight gained while on the drug. The treatment enabled him to return to work. On June 12, 2012, he was treated and released from a hospital after collapsing from [[hypoglycemia]] at a [[New York Friars Club]] event. This forced him to cancel a show in Sydney.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-rt-friars-club-jerry-lewis-collapsemt1thewrap43976-20120613,0,4472954.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614152004/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-rt-friars-club-jerry-lewis-collapsemt1thewrap43976-20120613%2C0%2C4472954.story |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 14, 2012 |title=Jerry Lewis Rushed to Hospital After Friars Club Collapse (Report) |last=Kenneally |first=Tim |date=June 13, 2012 |work= [[Chicago Tribune]] |agency= Reuters |access-date=June 13, 2012}}</ref> In an October 2016 interview with ''Inside Edition'', Lewis acknowledged that he might not star in any more films, given his advanced age, while admitting, through tears, that he was afraid of dying, as it would leave his wife and daughter alone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiyQtff7r64| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/QiyQtff7r64| archive-date=December 11, 2021 | url-status=live|title=90-Year-Old Jerry Lewis Breaks Down In Tears While Discussing Death|work = [[Inside Edition]] |date=October 5, 2016|access-date= December 20, 2016|via= YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In June 2017, Lewis was hospitalized at a Las Vegas hospital for a [[urinary tract infection]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/jerry-lewis-making-progress-after-hospitalization|title=Jerry Lewis 'making progress' after hospitalization|first=Sasha|last=Savitsky|date=June 5, 2017|publisher=[[Fox News]]|access-date=June 6, 2017|archive-date=June 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605201810/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/06/05/jerry-lewis-making-progress-after-hospitalization.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lewis died at his home in [[Las Vegas]], Nevada, on August 20, 2017, at the age of 91.<ref name="varietyobit">{{cite magazine |first1=Richard |last1=Natale |first2=Carmel |last2=Dagan |title=Jerry Lewis, Comedy Legend, Dies at 91 |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/jerry-lewis-dies-dead-nutty-professor-1202533899/ |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=August 20, 2017 |issn=0042-2738 |access-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-date=August 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812090319/https://variety.com/2017/film/news/jerry-lewis-dies-dead-nutty-professor-1202533899/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The cause was end-stage cardiac disease and [[peripheral artery disease]]. Lewis was [[Cremation|cremated]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/celebrities/coroner-jerry-lewis-death-was-from-end-stage-heart-disease/2017/08/21/36908046-86cb-11e7-96a7-d178cf3524eb_story.html |title=Coroner: Jerry Lewis death was from end-stage heart disease |first=Ken |last=Ritter |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=August 21, 2017 |access-date=August 22, 2017 |archive-date=August 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824014804/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/celebrities/coroner-jerry-lewis-death-was-from-end-stage-heart-disease/2017/08/21/36908046-86cb-11e7-96a7-d178cf3524eb_story.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Celebrities, loved ones remember comedian Jerry Lewis |work=Associated Press News |date=September 5, 2017 |url=https://apnews.com/article/855bac794f604ae0a1b6a8d03c3386fb |access-date=February 25, 2022 |archive-date=July 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719144202/https://apnews.com/article/855bac794f604ae0a1b6a8d03c3386fb |url-status=live }}</ref> In his [[Will and testament|will]], he left his estate to his second wife of 34 years, SanDee Pitnick, and their daughter, and explicitly [[Inheritance|disinherited]] his children from his first marriage.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/jerry-lewis-actual-kids-excluded-from-his-will-1818664266|title=Jerry Lewis' actual kids excluded from his will|last=McLevy|first=Alex|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=September 22, 2017|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929055657/https://www.avclub.com/jerry-lewis-actual-kids-excluded-from-his-will-1818664266|url-status=live}}</ref>