The 'Nutty Professor' star passed away at the age of 91 at his home in Las Vegas on Sunday morning, August 20.
- Aug 21, 2017
AceShowbiz - Hollywood is mourning the loss of Jerry Lewis. The legendary comedian, who directed and starred in classical comedy "The Nutty Professor", passed away at the age of 91 on Sunday, August 20. The Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist John Katsilometes released a statement regarding his death on Twitter.
"Statement: 'Legendary entertainer #Jerry Lewis passed away peacefully today of natural causes at 91 at his home w/ family by his side,' " John tweeted. Jerry's death was later confirmed by his publicist Candi Cazau.
Statement: "Legendary entertainer #Jerry Lewis passed away peacefully today of natural causes at 91 at his home w/ family by his side."
— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) August 20, 2017
Celebrities took to the micro-blogging site to pay their tribute to Jerry. Jim Carrey, whose comedy style was inspired by Jerry, wrote alongside a photo of the "The Bellboy" star, "That fool was no dummy. Jerry Lewis was an undeniable genius an unfathomable blessing, comedy's absolute! I am because he was! ;^D."
That fool was no dummy. Jerry Lewis was an undeniable genius an unfathomable blessing, comedy's absolute! I am because he was! ;^D pic.twitter.com/3Zdq9xhXlE
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) August 20, 2017
Magician Penn Jillette recalled the first he met the "Max Rose" actor. "Jerry Lewis just died. When I met him, I feel apart, just sobbed. I guess it's time for that again," Penn wrote. "We will miss Jerry so much. I can’t believe I got to meet him and spend time with him."
Jerry Lewis just died. When I met him, I feel apart, just sobbed. I guess it's time for that again.
— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) August 20, 2017
We will miss Jerry so much. I can’t believe I got to meet him and spend time with him. pic.twitter.com/wpHtjuWwmp
— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) August 20, 2017
"Goodbye to the real, no irony, king of comedy," Penn concluded alongside a photo of him and Jerry smiling at the camera.
Goodbye to the real, no irony, king of comedy. pic.twitter.com/t7qEkDo4Sl
— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) August 20, 2017
Jamie Lee Curtis said, "Jerry Lewis loomed large in my family. Many movies with my mom & he made home movies with Janet and Tony. He made me and many laugh. #rip."
Jerry Lewis loomed large in my family. Many movies with my mom & he made home movies with Janet and Tony. He made me and many laugh. #rip pic.twitter.com/4LbEbc9FCT
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) August 20, 2017
Ellen DeGeneres also took to Twitter to send her condolences for Jerry's family, writing, "Jerry Lewis was a comic and philanthropic icon. I send love to his family today."
Jerry Lewis was a comic and philanthropic icon. I send love to his family today.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 20, 2017
Martin Scorsese, who directed Jerry in "The King of Comedy", said in a statement, "Jerry Lewis was a master. He was a giant. He was an innovator. He was a great entertainer. He was a great artist. And he was a remarkable man. I had the honor of working with him, and it was an experience I'll always treasure. He was, truly, one of our greats."
