CHICAGO, Aug. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
Muscular Dystrophy Association is deeply saddened by the death of
beloved comedian, performer, humanitarian and former MDA telethon
star and national chairman Jerry
Lewis. The comic film legend, who led the fight against
muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular diseases for more than
50 years, died today in Las Vegas.
He was 91.
Lewis was one of the world's most successful performers. He was
renowned as a comedian, director, writer, producer, inventor and
headline entertainer on stage, screen and television. His tireless
humanitarian efforts were the hallmark of the MDA Labor Day Telethon for 45 years.
MDA Chairman of the Board R. Rodney Howell, M.D., worked with
Lewis for more than three decades.
"What Jerry did for our cause is immeasurable — he stood head
and shoulders above any other celebrity associated with a specific
cause to make sure the world knew about muscular dystrophy and the
children and adults who live with it," Howell said. "His relentless
determination and commitment to find a cure for neuromuscular
disease has profoundly affected the lives of millions of families.
We salute him, forge ahead to realize his vision, and honor his
memory in gratitude for his extraordinary accomplishments and gifts
to MDA."
MDA Board of Directors Vice Chair Christopher J. Rosa, Ph.D., is interim vice
chancellor for student affairs at City
University of New York (CUNY) and has limb-girdle muscular
dystrophy (LGMD). "Knowing that Jerry was in my corner meant the
world to me," Rosa said. "While MDA provided the medical care that
gave me support and the research that gave me hope, Jerry radiated
an energy that inspired me and so many others to keep
fighting."
MDA Achievements
Lewis served as MDA's honorary national chairman during the
decades when the organization was developing the most comprehensive
program of research and medical and community services of any
nonprofit health agency in the country. Through telethons and other
fundraising activities carrying his name, Lewis brought worldwide
attention to the fight against dozens of neuromuscular
diseases.
During Lewis' lifetime, MDA-funded scientists discovered the
causes of most of the diseases in MDA's program, developing
treatments, therapies and standards of care that have allowed many
living with these diseases to live longer and grow stronger.
One of the most notable turning points in understanding
neuromuscular disease came in 1986 when Louis Kunkel, Ph.D., discovered the genetic
defect that causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Kunkel is a
longtime MDA research grantee whose achievement, said Lewis, "was
staggering."
"To see this breakthrough tells me that indeed in my lifetime,
I'm going to see 'my kids' better than they are today," Lewis said
at a press conference during the announcement of the discovery.
In September 2016, Jerry, at 90
years of age, once again witnessed remarkable progress when the FDA
approved the first-ever drug for the treatment of Duchenne muscular
dystrophy. MDA has funded more than $1
billion in neuromuscular disease research since 1950, with
an unprecedented three drugs approved in the last year, for
Duchenne MD and spinal muscular dystrophy (SMA), illustrating the
vibrancy of its research program and the impact Lewis has had on
neuromuscular disease research.
The philosophy behind Lewis' years of devotion to MDA is summed
up in a motto he often quoted: "I shall pass through this world but
once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can
show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor
neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."
50-Plus Years of Service
Lewis became associated with MDA in 1952, shortly after the
organization was formed by a few adults with muscular dystrophy,
parents of children with the disease and the late Dr. Ade T.
Milhorat, then virtually the only American physician specializing
in muscle diseases.
In the early 1950s, Lewis and his show-business partner,
Dean Martin, held telethon
broadcasts in New York for MDA.
The children with neuromuscular diseases that Lewis met during
numerous personal appearances for MDA began to call themselves
"Jerry's kids," in gratitude for the compassion they received from
the country's favorite young comedian. Lewis said over the years
the children referred to themselves so often as "Jerry's kids,"
that it finally became a familiar phrase to millions.
During the next 50 years, Lewis courted sponsors for MDA;
appeared at openings of MDA care and research centers; addressed
meetings of civic organizations, volunteers and the MDA Board of
Directors; successfully lobbied Congress for federal neuromuscular
disease research funds, and made countless phone calls and visits
to families served by MDA.
In January 2016, MDA unveiled a
revitalized brand reflecting a renewed commitment to accelerate
treatments and cures for the kids, adults and families it serves.
To mark the occasion, Lewis taped a special message to the MDA
community, urging continued support for MDA and the families he has
championed for decades.
"I think it's great that MDA has a new look and tagline — we've
got to keep giving strength, independence and life to all the kids
and adults who are fighting muscular dystrophy and other
life-threatening diseases," Lewis said. "Today, there are signs of
real progress — and progress can't come fast enough for 'my kids'
and our MDA families. Our work is not done."
The Telethon
In 1966, the MDA Telethon was broadcast on a single television
station in New York, WNEW, and by
2010, Jerry's last telethon with MDA, the show was broadcast on
more than 150 stations known as the MDA "Love Network."
In his heyday, Lewis convinced the top stars of music, theater,
film, television and sports to appear on the telethon — without pay
— to help spread the MDA message. Viewers saw hundreds of the
biggest celebrities, including John
Lennon, Jerry Seinfeld, The
Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Cher,
The Jackson 5 and Celine Dion,
appear on the telethon over the years.
One of the most memorable moments in television history occurred
on the 1976 national broadcast when Frank
Sinatra brought Dean Martin
to the stage for a reunion of the former partners who had been
estranged for 20 years.
On May 16, 2011, Jerry announced
that he was retiring as host of the annual MDA Labor Day Telethon. MDA held its last telethon in
2014.
Worldwide Honors
Lewis was honored around the world for his efforts on behalf of
MDA.
In 1977, then-Congressman Les
Aspin nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, the first
time an entertainer was so honored. In his nomination, Aspin
said, "Jerry Lewis is a man for all
seasons, all people and all times. His name has, in the hearts
of millions, become synonymous with peace, love and
brotherhood."
Lewis also received the Jefferson Award from the American
Institute for Public Service; the French honored him with their two
highest awards, the Legion Commander of the Legion of Honor and
designation as Commander in the Order of Arts and Letters; U.S.
Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service;
honorary doctor of humane letters degrees from Mercy College in Westchester, N.Y., Emerson College in Boston and Chapman University in Orange, Calif.; and numerous other
humanitarian awards.
Regarded as the most effective fundraiser in television history,
Lewis was inducted in 1991 into the National Association of
Broadcasters Hall of Fame. The same year, he received a Comic
Lifetime Achievement Award during cable television's annual ACE
Awards. He was inducted into the International Humor Hall of
Fame in 1992.
In December 1996, Lewis and MDA
were recognized by the American Medical Association with Lifetime
Achievement Awards "for significant and lasting contributions to
the health and welfare of humanity."
In 2004, he received the Los Angeles Film Critics Association's
Career Achievement Award. In 2005, he received the International
Press Academy's TESLA Award in recognition of visionary
achievements as an innovator in the field of visual technology for
the cinema arts; that same year, in Berlin, the Axel Springer publishing company
bestowed upon Lewis a Golden Camera Lifetime Achievement Award.
Lewis was recognized as the 2005 recipient of the Academy of
Television Arts & Sciences Governors Award for his
accomplishments with the telethon.
In 2009, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
recognized Lewis with one of its greatest honors, the Jean Hersholt
Humanitarian Award. The award, named after actor, past Academy
president and motion picture industry supporter Jean Hersholt, is bestowed by the Academy on an
individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian
efforts have brought credit to the industry.
Lewis is survived by his wife, Sam; his daughter, Danielle; five
sons, Gary, Ronald, Scott, Christopher and Anthony; several
grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and was preceded in death by
his son Joseph.
About MDA
MDA is leading the fight to free individuals — and the families who
love them — from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related
life-threatening diseases that take away physical strength,
independence and life. We use our collective strength to help kids
and adults live longer and grow stronger by finding research
breakthroughs across diseases; caring for individuals from day one;
and empowering families with services and support in hometowns
across America. Learn how you can fund cures, find care and
champion the cause at mda.org.
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SOURCE Muscular Dystrophy Association