The Academy of Motions Arts & Sciences has announced that Jerry Lewis will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award by the Board of Governors to be presented at the Oscar celebration on February 22nd (2009).
In France, Jerry Lewis is hailed as a great comic, much like "The Little Tramp" - Charlie Chaplin - has been on these shores.
You know what they say.
A man is never recognized as a prophet in his own country!
Film buffs may recall that Jerry Lewis was a comic genius who teamed up with "straight" man Dean Martin back in the fifties.
The odd bedfellows became the hottest act in show business by virtue of a handful of screwball comedies that entertained an American public hungry for their brand of whimsical low-brow slapstick humor.
At the commencement of their respective careers, Abby Greshler - a high-powered Hollywood agent - negotiated one of Hollywood's best deals during that time frame in the burgeoning show business marketplace.
Although the duo managed to pull in $75,000 between them for films slated for production with Hal Wallis, Jerry and Dean were free to do one outside film a year, which they would co-produce through their own production company.
The Lewis/Martin business entity had complete control of club, record, and radio and television appearances which racked in millions of dollars during their successful union.
To the delight of television audiences, the comics also made regular appearances on the highly-rated Colgate Comedy Hour (NBC).
Unfortunately, artistic differences (and a grab for power) caused a split.
The ugly scenario was not unlike a nasty no-holds-barred divorce proceeding - which played out in the media at great cost - particularly in respect to the names and reputations of the two artists involved.
On the heels of the break-up, Dean later experienced success as an actor in such noteworthy films as Rio Bravo, The Rat Pack, and The Young Lions.
In recent years, Mr. Lewis was loudly applauded for a serious role he played opposite actors Robert DeNiro and Sandra Bernhardt in Scorsese's "The King of Comedy".
For a couple of decades now, Jerry has been the host of a weekend telethon each September for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which raises funds for a project that is close to his heart.
The Jean Hersholt Award is given periodically to an individual in the film business whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.
"Jerry is a legendary comedian who has not only brought laughter to millions around the world, but has also helped thousands upon thousands by raising funds and awareness for those suffering from muscular dystrophy," President Sid Ganis noted proudly.
Previous honorees have been Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Charlton Heston, Quincy Jones, and Danny Kaye.
The prestigious award is named after Jean Hersholt who served as President of the Motion Picture Relief Fund for 18 years.
Jerry Lewis quote:
"I've had great success being a total idiot."
In France, Jerry Lewis is hailed as a great comic, much like "The Little Tramp" - Charlie Chaplin - has been on these shores.
You know what they say.
A man is never recognized as a prophet in his own country!
Film buffs may recall that Jerry Lewis was a comic genius who teamed up with "straight" man Dean Martin back in the fifties.
The odd bedfellows became the hottest act in show business by virtue of a handful of screwball comedies that entertained an American public hungry for their brand of whimsical low-brow slapstick humor.
At the commencement of their respective careers, Abby Greshler - a high-powered Hollywood agent - negotiated one of Hollywood's best deals during that time frame in the burgeoning show business marketplace.
Although the duo managed to pull in $75,000 between them for films slated for production with Hal Wallis, Jerry and Dean were free to do one outside film a year, which they would co-produce through their own production company.The Lewis/Martin business entity had complete control of club, record, and radio and television appearances which racked in millions of dollars during their successful union.
To the delight of television audiences, the comics also made regular appearances on the highly-rated Colgate Comedy Hour (NBC).
Unfortunately, artistic differences (and a grab for power) caused a split.
The ugly scenario was not unlike a nasty no-holds-barred divorce proceeding - which played out in the media at great cost - particularly in respect to the names and reputations of the two artists involved.
On the heels of the break-up, Dean later experienced success as an actor in such noteworthy films as Rio Bravo, The Rat Pack, and The Young Lions.
In recent years, Mr. Lewis was loudly applauded for a serious role he played opposite actors Robert DeNiro and Sandra Bernhardt in Scorsese's "The King of Comedy".
For a couple of decades now, Jerry has been the host of a weekend telethon each September for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which raises funds for a project that is close to his heart.
The Jean Hersholt Award is given periodically to an individual in the film business whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.
"Jerry is a legendary comedian who has not only brought laughter to millions around the world, but has also helped thousands upon thousands by raising funds and awareness for those suffering from muscular dystrophy," President Sid Ganis noted proudly.
Previous honorees have been Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Charlton Heston, Quincy Jones, and Danny Kaye.
The prestigious award is named after Jean Hersholt who served as President of the Motion Picture Relief Fund for 18 years.
Jerry Lewis quote:
"I've had great success being a total idiot."
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