Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis Joseph Levitch (March 16, 1926 – August 20, 2017), known worldwide as Jerry Lewis, was an American comedian, director, actor, producer, singer, screenwriter and humanitarian, whose career spanned eight decades and was nicknamed "The King of Comedy". He was known for his partnership with Dean Martin as the groundbreaking act of Martin and Lewis. Lewis went on to star in, write, produce and direct many motion pictures, such as "The Delicate Delinquent", "The Sad Sack", "Rock-A-Bye Baby", "The Geisha Boy", "Don't Give Up The Ship", "Visit to a Small Planet", "Cinderfella", "The Bellboy", "The Ladies' Man", "The Errand
Jerry Lewis and was unprecedented in that he had unlimited creative control, including final cut, and the return of film rights after 30 years. Lewis' clout and box office were so strong that Barney Balaban, the head of production at Paramount at that time, told the press, "If Jerry wants to burn down the studio I'll give him the match!" He had finished his film contract with Wallis with "Visit to a Small Planet" (1960) and wrapped up production on his own film "Cinderfella" (1960), with Ed Wynn and directed by Tashlin. The movie was postponed for a Christmas 1960 release. Paramount