Jerry Lewis

Jerry Lewis accepts the Nevada Broadcasters Association's Lifetime Achievement Award, in Las Vegas, on Aug. 20, 2011.

Rosemary Clooney appeared with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on The Colgate Comedy Hour circa 1955. — Getty Images

Rosemary Clooney appears with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on The Colgate Comedy Hour circa 1955. He and his comedy partner, the singer Dean Martin, had their own show on NBC from 1949 to 1953 were the world's top box-office earners in the early 1950s. Their partnership ended in 1956.

Person to Person: Jerry Lewis as host (Nov. 9, 1956) — CBS Photo Archive

Jerry Lewis sat in for Edward R. Murrow one night, and he did quite a good impression of the legendary newsman, too.

Jerry Lewis sings "You'll Never Walk Alone" as his final song of the 1999 Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon in Los Angeles. From the early 1950s until 2011, he served as national chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and host of its annual Labor Day telethon. In 2011, it was announced that Lewis would host no ore telethons.

Jerry Lewis stands in front of a countdown board after announcing a record $51.5 million in pledges and contributions for the fight against neuromuscular diseases during, the 33rd annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon in Los Angeles.

Comedian Jerry Lewis is shown during a news conference on June 6, 1973.

Entertainers Dean Martin, left, and Jerry Lewis appear together on Lewis' annual telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Las Vegas on Sept. 7, 1976. It was one of the few times the two had appeared together since their partnership dissolved.

Jerry Lewis poses with his Oscar during a photo call on the sidelines of the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009, in Cannes. In the 1960s, Lewis formed his own production company and directed, produced and starred in a series of popular movies such as "The Bellboy" and " The Nutty Professor." He won the Oscar's humanitarian trophy in 2009.

Entertainer Jerry Lewis greets singer Celine Dion after she performed at the 41st annual Labor Day Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association at the South Coast Hotel & Casino Sept. 3, 2006, in Las Vegas.

Entertainer Jerry Lewis conducts the Las Vegas Philharmonic on the Strip as he tapes the show opener for the 41st annual Labor Day Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association Aug. 22, 2006, in Las Vegas.

American actor and entertainer Jerry Lewis, left, receives the medal of Commander in the Legion of Honor order by French Culture minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, right, during an award ceremony at the Culture ministry in Paris, March 16, 2006.

Jerry Lewis gestures prior to the Golden Camera prize reward ceremony in Berlin Feb. 2, 2006.

Comedian Jerry Lewis and his 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. The twice-married entertainer is the father of a daughter and six sons.

Comedian Jerry Lewis 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.

Actor Jerry Lewis, right, performs with singer Sammy Davis Jr. during the 1976 telecast of The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon in Los Angeles. He said in interviews that he considered Davis one of his closest friends.

Host Jerry Lewis performs during the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon at CBS Television Studios on Aug. 31, 2003, in Los Angeles. Health issues have dogged the comedian for years. He has been treated for heart disease, viral meningitis, prostate cancer, diabetes and cystic fibrosis. A steroid treatment in resulted in the early 2000s resulted in a weight gain and change in appearance.

Actor 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.