Jerry Lewis

Jerry Lewis, born Joseph Levitch on March 16, 1926, was an American comedian, actor, singer, director, producer, screenwriter, and humanitarian whose career spanned eight decades. Revered as the "King of Comedy," he first gained widespread recognition for his groundbreaking partnership with Dean Martin as the iconic duo Martin and Lewis.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, to Russian Jewish parents, Lewis began performing at the young age of five. His father, Daniel Levitch, was a vaudeville entertainer, and his mother, Rachel Brodsky, was a pianist and musical director. Lewis often performed alongside his parents in the Catskill Mountains. Even as a teenager, he was known for his playful antics and developed his signature "Record Act," miming to songs played offstage. He adopted the professional name Jerry Lewis to distinguish himself from other notable figures named Joe Lewis.