Jerry Lewis was an American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker and humanitarian. Across his seven-decade career, he is regarded as one of the greatest comedians of the 20th century, by his nickname—the "King of Comedy". Rising to prominence with singer Dean Martin, billed as Martin and Lewis, in 1946, the two did a series of sixteen buddy-comedy films, their televised run on The Colgate Comedy Hour, live stage performances, guest spots on other shows and a radio series until their split in 1956. Lewis continued on his own in thirty-five motion pictures from 1957 to 1984, guest hosted The Tonight Show a record fifty-two times, while helming his own nightly series and from 1950 to 1989, performed closely with Sammy Davis Jr.
Jerry Lewis's second Muscular Dystrophy telethon
Jerry Lewis was an American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker and humanitarian. Across his seven-decade career, he is regarded as one of the greatest comedians of the 20th century, by his...
Historical Significance
Jerry Lewis was an American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker and humanitarian.
Key People
Events Before
12-day New York City transit worker strike halts subway and bus services
A 1980 transit strike in New York City halted service on the New York City Transit Authority (a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority) for the first time since 1966.
The Beatles' album "Rubber Soul" goes to #1 and stays there for six weeks, while the single "We Can Work It Out" also ch
The Beatles' album "Rubber Soul" goes to #1 and stays there for six weeks, while the single "We Can Work It Out" also charts at #1 for three weeks
"Batman", starring Adam West as Batman, Burt Ward as Robin, and Cesar Romero as the Joker, debuts on ABC
Batman is an American comedy television series based on the DC Comics character of the same name.
Indira Gandhi is elected India's first female prime minister
Indira Gandhi was an Indian stateswoman who served as the prime minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984.
Quiet Beatle George Harrison (22) weds British model Pattie Boyd (21) at the registry office in Epsom, Surrey, England,
Quiet Beatle George Harrison (22) weds British model Pattie Boyd (21) at the registry office in Epsom, Surrey, England, Paul serves as best man; divorce in 1977
Events After
Cuba Gooding Jr. is born
Cuba Gooding Jr., American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1968-01-02. Cuba Mark Gooding Jr. is an American actor.
ABC Radio splits into four networks: Info, Entertainment, Contemporary, and FM
ABC Radio splits into four networks: Info, Entertainment, Contemporary, and FM
Actress Sharon Tate (24) weds actor and director Roman Polanski (34) in Chelsea, London
Actress Sharon Tate (24) weds actor and director Roman Polanski (34) in Chelsea, London
Battle of Khe Sanh begins at Khe Sanh Combat Base, one of the most publicized and controversial battles of the Vietnam W
Battle of Khe Sanh begins at Khe Sanh Combat Base, one of the most publicized and controversial battles of the Vietnam War
Aretha Franklin's 14th studio album "Lady Soul" is released (Billboard Album of the Year, 1968)
Aretha Franklin's 14th studio album "Lady Soul" is released (Billboard Album of the Year, 1968)
More from the 1960s
Apollo 11 Moon Landing
NASA's Apollo 11 mission successfully lands the first humans on the Moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first people to walk on the lunar surface.
space exploration
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech
Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, calling for an end to racism in the United States.
civil rightspolitics government
birth
Tommy Morrison is born
Tommy Morrison, American professional boxer, known for american boxer, was born on 1969-01-02.
birth
Gabrielle Carteris is born
Gabrielle Carteris is born
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on September 4, 1967?
- Jerry Lewis was an American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker and humanitarian. Across his seven-decade career, he is regarded as one of the greatest comedians of the 20th century, by his nickname—the "King of Comedy". Rising to prominence with singer Dean Martin, billed as Martin and Lewis, in 1946, the two did a series of sixteen buddy-comedy films, their televised run on The Colgate Comedy Hour, live stage performances, guest spots on other shows and a radio series until their split in 1956.
- Why is Jerry Lewis's second Muscular Dystrophy telethon significant?
- Jerry Lewis was an American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker and humanitarian.
- Who was involved in Jerry Lewis's second Muscular Dystrophy telethon?
- Key figures include Jerry Lewis (comedian, actor and filmmaker).