Jerry Lewis, the slapstick-loving comedian, innovative filmmaker and generous fundraiser who became famous for classics like The Nutty Professor and The Bellboy, has died. He was 91.
Lewis died on Sunday after a brief illness in Las Vegas, said his publicist, Candi Cazau, CNN reported. Cazau has not elaborated on Lewis' illness.
Lewis first gained fame for his frenzied comedy-and-music act with singer Dean Martin.
When that ended in the mid-1950s, Lewis went solo. By early 1960s, he had become a top draw in movies such as The Bellboy, The Nutty Professor and The Patsy.
Along the way, he pioneered the use of videotape and closed-circuit monitors in filmmaking, a now-standard technique called video assist.
Lewis first helped raise money for muscular dystrophy in a telethon in 1956. He was so successful, and so devoted to the cause, that children affected by the disease became known as Jerry's kids.
The telethon, long known as The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, began airing on Labour Day weekend in 1966, and Lewis served as host until 2011.
Lewis is survived by his second wife, SanDee Pitnick, with whom he adopted a daughter.
Celebrities paid tribute to comedy king Jerry Lewis
Here's what the celebrities tweeted:
Rishi Kapoor: The greatest face maker, truly legendary, the man responsible for my smiles and laughter -- "Jerry Lewis" bids adieu! A true genius.
Anupam Kher: Jerry Lewis was not only a great comic actor but did lot of charity for underprivileged children. He added laughter to our tears. RIP Sir. It was my honour to receive Legionnaires Of Laughter award by Jerry Lewis house in NY. Will surely continue to follow his great work.
Abhishek Kapoor: Another great artist gone forever. Safe travels legend.
Kunal Kapoor: Really sad news... Jerry Lewis my favourite actor while growing up. I had VHS tapes of all his films. Watched them on loop every night. R.I.P.
Madhur Bhandarkar: Sad to hear demise of Jerry Lewis the King of comedy. His films 'The Nutty professor' and 'Boeing Boeing' are among my all time. RIP.
Vishal Dadlani: Damn! My Dad introduced me to Jerry Lewis + Dean Martin movies when I was little. Been a fan since! A poorer world without this Legend!
Rahul Dholakia: Jerry Lewis RIP.
Martin Scorsese: Jerry Lewis was a master. He was a great entertainer. He was a great artiste. And he was a remarkable man. I had the honour of working with him, and it was an experience I'll always treasure. He was, truly, one of our greats.
Whoopi Goldberg: Jerry Lewis passed today, millions around the world loved him, millions of children he helped with his telethons. R.I.P. and condolences to his family.
Actor-filmmaker William Shatner: Condolences to the family of Jerry Lewis. The world is a lot less funnier today.
Goldie Hawn: Jerry Lewis. You were blessed and blessed us with the perfect combination of comedy and tragedy. A perfect clown who could do it all.
Actor-director George Takei: We have lost a great comedian and even greater heart. Thank you for the laughs and the feels, Jerry Lewis.
Actor Rob Schneider: Oh no! Jerry Lewis just died! Another comic legend has left us. Martin and Lewis were the Beatles of comedy! Nobody was ever bigger!
Jim Carrey: That fool was no dummy. Jerry Lewis was an undeniable genius an unfathomable blessing, comedy's absolute! I am because he was!
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis: Jerry Lewis loomed large in my family. Many movies with my mom and he made home movies with (her parents) Janet and Tony. He made me and many laugh.
Director Richard Shepard: RIP Jerry Lewis. Thank you for the telethons, the video-tap, and the king of comedy -- your most perfect, funny, sad and sly performance.
Actor Neil Patrick Harris: Watching Jerry Lewis on-screen makes me laugh harder than almost anyone. His great contribution to cinema is undeniable.
TV host-comedian Jimmy Kimmel: Jerry Lewis was a genius comedian, actor, director, inventor, humanitarian...
Actor Samuel L. Jackson: It was incredible knowing and laughing with the amazing Jerry Lewis! He'll keep them laughing in the ever after!
Actor-comedian Sean Hayes: We lost one of the great ones today... possibly the greatest. Jerry Lewis was one of my comedy heroes.
Pakistani-American stand-up comedian-actor Kumail Nanjiani: As a child, I'm pretty sure I was the biggest Jerry Lewis fan in the world. Truly. R.I.P. Jerry Lewis.
Actor Josh Gad: One of the greatest of all time. A legend, showman, comedic icon, movie star, activist and one of a kind.
Actor Jon Cryer: Jerry Lewis was a complicated man of astonishing talent. If you are in comedy, you have been influenced by him, whether you know it or not.