Jerry Lewis

Comedic legend Jerry Lewis applauds as he stands with actor-comedian Richard Belzer, left, and artist Leroy Neiman during the Friars Club celebrity roast in his honor, June 9, 2006 in New York. Lewis has been "roasted" previously in 1971, 1986 and also in 1955 with then partner Dean Martin. Lewis was named abbot of the Friars Club and then roasted.

Comedic legend Jerry Lewis holds a glass in his mouth during the Friars Club celebrity roast in his honor Friday, June 9, 2006 in New York City. Lewis has been "roasted" previously in 1971, 1986 and also in 1955 with then-partner Dean Martin.

Jerry Lewis and his wife, Sam, beam after Lewis was made Commander in the Legion of Honor order during an award giving ceremony at the Culture ministry in Paris, March 16, 2006, Lewis' 80th birthday. He was made Commander in the Legion of Honor order by French Culture minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres.

Born in 1926 as Joseph Levitch, funnyman Jerry Lewis, shown in the 1960s, appeared in about fifty films in the 1950s and '60s, such as "My friend Irma" with Dean Martin, and directed different films such as "The Nutty Professor".

An undated file picture shows actor Jerry Lewis, right, and his longtime acting partner Dean Martin. The duo were the world's top box-office earners from 1950-56. Their last film was "Hollywood or Bust" (1956). They officially split as a comedy team in 1960. In 2005, Lewis penned a book titled "Dean & Me (A Love Story)."

A comedian, director and singer, Jerry Lewis jokes during the inauguration of a cinema in his name in Paris, France, March 17, 1972.

Singers Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Jerry Lewis, shown left to right, perform during the 1976 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon in Los Angeles, Calif. Martin and Lewis, a former comedy duo, had few reunions following their breakup in 1960.

Actor Jerry Lewis, right, performs with singer Sammy Davis Jr. during a telecast of The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon in Los Angeles. The telecast raises money for those affected by neuromuscular diseases each Labor Day weekend.

Actor and comedian Jerry Lewis holds his Nikon camera before taking a picture of French actress Catherine Deneuve during the 32nd International Movie Festival in Cannes, France, May 24, 1979.

Comedian Jerry Lewis, left, National Chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, gives his microphone to Benjamin Cumbo, a muscular dystrophy patient, during a hearing on muscular dystrophy before the Senate health subcommittee Feb. 27, 2001, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Host Jerry Lewis is shown during the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon at CBS Television Studios on Aug. 31, 2003, in Los Angeles. The comedian suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, an illness in which the lungs' air sacs are gradually replaced by scar tissue. To be able to breathe easier, he takes the steroid prednisone, which has given him a bloated appearance.

Comedian Jerry Lewis and his oldest son, singer Gary Lewis, joke around at the 39th Annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon at CBS Television City on Sept. 5, 2004, in Los Angeles.Gary Lewis and his soft-rock group, The Playboys, had several pop hits in the 1960s, including "This Diamond Ring."

Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens arrive at a special screening of "The Nutty Professor" hosted by Lewis on Oct. 12, 2004 at the Paramount Theater in Hollywood, Calif. Both actors starred in the 1963 release.

Actor and comedian Jerry Lewis reads "Daily Variety" at "The 30th Annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards" at The St. Regis Hotel on Jan. 13, 2005 in Century City, Calif.

Bryan Adams, Goldie Hawn and Jerry Lewis hold their awards at the "Goldene Kamera" Awards at the Axel Springer House on Feb. 9, 2005, in Berlin, Germany.

Comedian Jerry Lewis hosts the "Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon" on Sept. 4, 2005, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. In 1977, he was nominated for a Nobel Prize for his work to raise money to fight muscular dystrophy.

Recipient of the 2005 Governors Award, comedian Jerry Lewis poses in the press room with his award during the 2005 Creative Arts Emmy Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on Sept. 11, 2005, in Los Angeles.

Comedian Jerry Lewis, center, with wife SanDee Pitnick, left, and daughter Daniele arrive at the 2005 Creative Arts Emmy Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on Sept. 11, 2005, in Los Angeles.