What makes this interview special is that the interviewer is perhaps the most knowledgeable interviewer he has ever had, ie not reading from notes, but seems to know Lewis's history by his own direct experiences...
I miss the old talent that sadly has died away. All the great ones gone now. Heaven must be a wonderful place with all the great wonderful people there.
Amazing interview. Despite his deep flaws, Jerry was an incredible philanthropist, and a masterful storyteller, performer, writer, director, and PR expert. Fun fact: The interviewer was veteran TV writer and executive Sam Denoff, a decades long friend of Jerry's, who created "That Girl" and wrote some of the memorable episodes of the Dick Van Dyke show with Bill Persky, who then later created "Kate and Allie."
I absolutely Loved Jerry Lewis and his memory was amazing. I went to see him live had the Hilton Hotel in NYC his memory was so amazing. Very brilliant comedian actor director. I had friends who worked with him, all said the same thing he was a very nice Man. Raymond Arroyo interviewed Jerry Lewis on EWTN great interviews. He was 90 in the last interview. Lewis said Raymond Arroyo was the best interviewer he ever had.
Great interview. Can really tell they have a respect for one another straight of the bat .. seems if jerry doesn't respect you ....his transparencie depletes emensly . Long may he rest
Ii was watching Jerry Lewis life story and it's 5 in the morningy daughter knocks on the door Tells us that my mother had just past away ,she was 94 years old ,first I cried then I said we all need to die to go to heaven,R.I.P mommy I love forever.
He is the dad that I wanted when I was a kid, jerry Lewis was always part of me growing up, i was the baby of the family (#9) and my parents divorced when I was 8. My mom had no love, no affection, no gentleness, no care to give her children. Jerry gave me all that from his movies. He made me a funny person, nice and loving individual .I cherished every scene of his movies for a very long time. So, thank you Jerry for being there for me when I needed the most.
I remember stayin' up all night long to watch his Muscular Dystrophy Telethons. He'd show his serious self and then crank up the zany Jerry Lewis us kids wanted to see. And do it for the whole 48 hours (or whatever it was). Amazing feats of endurance, because he'd be up for a day or two BEFORE the telethon, making sure everything and everybody was lined up. Variety show on steroids, with all the stars giving their time and conspicuous donations. That's when celebrities are doing it right. If they did more of that stuff, maybe fewer people would be defeated by doctor bills in the first place. Liberals spend too much time and energy trying to get government to do things that they could help, directly, themselves, with gifts of their time and personal wealth. Not all liberals. But if the cause is so good, surely liberals could get together and solve those problems by holding fundraisers and giving of themselves, rather than just try to control politicians and get taxpayer support of the causes they promote.
What he was to you was important. He may have been the worst father, but that doesn't make him the worst surrogate father. I'm just glad that there was someone there to provide what you needed at the time.
If you watch a lot of Jerry interviews you start to realize his memory wasn't that great, his verbal skills were just that masterful. He tells stories that contradict each other *constantly* but the confidence with which he told the stories made it seem like he had a memory like a steel trap unless you started really paying attention.
A lot of these old school entertainers would embellish or simply fabricate their stories. Orson Welles was a master of this. Whether or not it happened becomes irrelevant as long as you're being entertained, that's their philosophy. You can't trust a lot of these stories, they get contradicted all the time
74 is not THAT old. My mother just turned 76 and my father is about to turn 85 and they are both still sharp as a tack and haven't had any reduction in their levels of cognition whatsoever.....
@@jrwheeler81 cognition or awareness is NOT the same as memory recall. Lewis could remember specific dates, exact places and people from 50 years ago as if it was last week.
Yes it's happened that men who have married more than once, when they become elderly with a younger last wife, have been threatened by this wife if he doesn't leave everything to her, she will abandon him. These women wait until their much older husbands are failing and are desperate so they give in. These women are professional scammers and probably sociopaths who destroy families. Once the elderly husband dies, they start looking for another man to target. I've seen it in my own extended family and it was tragic.
Thanks Giveachanceakid!!! ....Hes wearing one of his trademark handmade 'Anto of Beverly Hills' shirts , Jerry will always be the King , this is without a doubt the best and most unguarded interviews he ever did ,
Jerry Lewis lived a long, very blessed life. What he did alone for MD, raising over 3billion dollars I believe, would have been enough for mankind. What he did to teach Directing in the late 60's and 70's to individuals like Steven Spielberg, Coppola, etc. was huge. Very talented, a film genius who should have done more Directing in the 60's and 70's, even into the early 80's. He did his best with his family, but he was not a loving father or husband until he was in his 70's, to a new wife and adopted baby girl. However, his first wife, and children, had to suffer through Lewis' abuse which included spankings. Ugh. Oy. Vey!!!!! Correction - Jerry Lewis made 2.5Billion for MD. Everyone should watch this interview. It is just wonderful. I wish Jerry wrote a biography and included all the events at Browns, and all his activities in the Borsch Belt and Vaudeville. Thank you for posting!
You are very much mistaken. He was a loving father and husband. His numerous letters to his wife that are online, and just seeing them together in footage, show this. He was always boasting about his children, and is shown in many photos hugging, kissing, and playing with them. In letters to his wife, he talks about his love for his sons. Wow, you think spanking means he hated his kids? My parents did the same to me, and they love me. If when I have children and they misbehave, they will get a spanking. Hispanic and African American households spank their kids like everyday. lol
Love you since elementary school I wanted yo follow you in Hollywood I had to get there first you inspired me to go to Hollywood n meet you handsome adorable n talented movie star RIP Jerry Lewis I miss you alot
Thank you so much!!! I love Jerry Lewis so much!! He was the classiest, most brilliant, hysterical person I’ve ever seen! My son and I studied him & watched him over and over, creating wonderful memories and laughs, and we really needed that. Now, my grandson is watching hours of Jerry with me. What a beautiful person!! I’m so so grateful to have learned so much about him from this film. ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you again for posting this. Again my life has been mercifully enriched by my dear Jerry Lewis. I’m so glad he had a wonderful wife but if he hadn’t, I would not have minded being Mrs Lewis myself. ❤️👍🏼🥰
Wonderful I enjoyed all of it I most enjoyed the raw unedited full length. I’d rather see the real person without script and all the cropping. Thank you for doing this.
Jerry Lewis is one of the most intelligent Mega-Star Comedian, Actor, Singer, Songwriter, and Producer that can't be found in today's Hollywood Entertainment! When I hear him speak, his way of conveying his life experiences are full of life!
hands down one of the greatest interviews I've ever watched. Very in-depth, a good repertoire of both people, and Jerry was very relaxed and willing to be open. Jerry was one of those very unique characters. A powerhouse. Sparks emanated from him from the start. You don't become a man like Jerry Lewis. You're born with it. People like this always have issues in relationships and are usually categorized as egotists and/or narcissists, but those are the movers and the shakers. That's unfortunately what it takes. Nice guys, meek guys, finish last.
What a genuine artist story of how he grew up , born with talent in his blood. Just like his father had passed on to him ,,,very very interesting interview ,I had a strong feeling about Jerry's abilities and how it was just so natural,,,I know he could have been just a great singer if he wanted , but there's just too much there to just do that,, kind of reminds me of ME. slot,. Believe me ,,it's a struggle knowing or not knowing what. You have. And your. Unable. To use the gift. To the fullest ,,,very very very depressing ,,. Any way sit and enjoy his videos
Brother, Jerry.... 2022... WE don't forget, Father...
8 лет назад
This is for sure one of the best Jerry's interviews. He's so open and natural... besides is hard to believe it last almost two hours and a half, AND he is 74 there! My God! Thanks for putting all together, great job! :) What will be the next video?
+João Antonio Franz Are you part of the Jerrylewisfans.com forum? I post all my videos there as well. I do posting on vimeo and dailymotion of videos that I can't put on youtube then share it with JL fans on that forum.
8 лет назад
Yes, I'm in the forum, but the administrator doesn't checked my account yet, so I can't see the forum posts... :( Your username on Vimeo and Dailymotion is the same as here?
João Antonio Franz Was that you that asked about the Come Back Little Shiksa video of mine in the forum? And my youtube channels are this one and donazify. The dailymotion account is givethechanceakid. My vimeo videos are on the forum. I'd rather not share the link publicly here.
8 лет назад
Yes, that's me! :) Oh, ok, don't bother, I found it all. Thank you very much for those videos!
great interview. I really liked jerry lewis. While he had nothing to do with first wife and kids of 35 yrs, I have to believe there was poison bad blood or he was treated terribly or was told to go away or something for him to be so shut off. I cant see him as a deadbeat dad. ha to be something there... that made him feel so strong on such. I pray its not just cause he was not in marriage anymore and out of blue spit them out. He was such a good hubby and father to a second marriage. Only they know the truth... but enjoyed his professional acting very much.
I mean I've done it all just about. But really just scratched. The surface of each spectrum of entertainment. I was involved in. Performing wise. Or non performing. I would definitely have to say that mostly the aspects of Writing , recording collaborating in the studio with other great artists. Singers songwriters and musicians. Was my real heartfelt forte-
Lewis' superior intelligence propelled him throughout his life. Along with his superior intellect was the inevitable damage he suffered from his childhood. You get a glimpse of his hurt in this interview, and you get a double dose of his lying disorder. His lies and gross exaggerations speak to the damage he suffered as a child. Based upon this interview and others, I believe he never had a sense of being equal to others. Lewis' "one down" psychological adaption manifested in his hero worship of Dean Martin, Michael DeBakey, and others who he loved and admired. It also manifested in often brilliant accomplishments including his enduring contributions to the entertainment industry, film making, creative processes in acting and directing, and to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Conversely, as dedicated as he was to doing good, his "one down" psychological adaption contributed to often being a mean, abusive, cruel, bully. It was his dark side that was in evidence in his out-in-front hatred of Joan Rivers. He allowed her criticisms of him to over whelm him. His forth right admission to calling her and threatening her life if she continued criticizing him gives rare insight into how frighteningly and deeply troubled he was. At the end of his life his damaged self took over and manifested in his abusive conduct to others including audience members, reporters, MDA executives, and anyone else who happened to catch him on a bad day. However, his dark side can never, ever, diminish his vast lifelong accomplishments, (which he never hesitated to remind us lest we forgot). I would not suggest that Lewis was a "lovable" person during his lifetime, but he was in most respects an "embraceable" person - flawed yes, but then who isn't?
Through work I was able to meet and spend time with a number of celebrities, including Joan Rivers and Jerry Lewis. Joan was at the height of her career but she was as normal, humble, and real as my next door neighbor. No evidence of ego or the brash persona she sometimes portrayed in her act. Just a lovely, interesting and interested, person. On the other hand, Jerry came across as a troubled, self absorbed, man.
I thought the line that Jerry said in the interview that there are 2 things I'll never loan people, my money or my comb, I think the 2nd part would have been funnier if it was said by a bald person. Lol.
If it is possible for a spirit to read a text message Jerry Lewis thank you for making my life more beautiful your my favorite clown God bless your soul.
I believe the story he tokd sbout the breakup he is not being honest ,it was dean martin who decided it eas time to leave ,deans agent said to dean "yout not walking away from 250m worth of work "deans answer was "whach me "
Dean was reported in newspapers at the time as wanting to stay together. Newspapers also reported both Dean and Jerry coming back into the NBC office together in 1957, and hoping for a reconciliation but it did not happen for them. Jerry couldn't live without the closeness and friendship between he and Dean in the team. It was literally making him physically sick from stress and worry. He went to the hospital for a heart scare and an ulcer that year. Dean would have kept going for his career. Dean said certain things later, but his account doesn't match with what was quoted from him in newspapers. Jerry's account seems mostly accurate.
He did not have a singing voice, he did not have acting ability. Intstead he had great comedy timing. He was one of a kind. 1960's he was the king and Paramount gave him great control over his movies. End of 1960's that deal went south. Jerry tried to tie nots with Universal but that deal was short. Latter part of his career the Telethons was his main thing. He did raise a lot of money for the weak, but remember Jerry was a business man, he did not do it for free. He was Jewish, of course. Read his books. He helped a lot of people but he was not sincere about MDA, it was a business. But who cares, he did help people in the process. God bless you Jerry.
I highly disagree, and his singing voice when serious is absolutely beautiful. He did have acting ability and was good in serious roles, as well as his comedic ones.
Good comment and you're right in many ways. Jerry did sing in the movies occasionally. He coud get serious and act believable occasionally in dramatic scenes. I remember (my favorite Jerry song) in Nutty Professor he sang "Old black magic" pretty strongly. I think he did record a couple of albums too, Jerry Lewis: Just sings from 1956 comes to mind. But singing and dramatic acting was not his cup of tea. If it had been, he would have done it more frequently. For Jerry (in my opinion) comedy was the key. To maintain singing or dramatic acting career, you must have a calling fo it. And surely the public wanted Jerry to do comedy firstly. Side point: In King of comedy (1982) he performs a dramatic film role but he's clearly acting as himself. But he does the part beautifully. Good movie, all around. Jerry is such a interesting person, he did a lot. Acted, sang, directed/wrote films, made telethons and also created innovation for film industry, the video assist device.
@@givethechanceakidI agree completely and he sings beautifully in Cinderfella. I just saw his last film Max Rose brilliant acting. His interview with Raymond Arroyo on EWTN is brilliant. He was 90 he did 2 interviews long maybe each is 1 hour. He’s amazing.
Whoever is asking the questions and conducting the interview is either incompetent or just not paying attention, He's asked so many questions about things that Jerry had literally just said. And it's very interesting to hear him speak about the break - up after just having read his book "Dean and Me: A love story" because he's addressing it very coldly and professionally where as in the book he speaks on how heartbroken he was that they couldn't repair their relationship.
Why in EVERY interview on youtube does somebody have to say how bad the interviewer was? Jerry is completely making this thing so interesting with such great showbiz memories , are you really just sitting there picking apart the interviewer's questions?
Fun fact: The interviewer was Sam Denoff, a decades long friend of Jerry's, who created "That Girl" and wrote some of the memorable episodes of the Dick Van Dyke show with Bill Persky, who then created "Kate and Allie."
I like this side of Jerry Lewis. He had other 'sides' I didn't like. "The Nutty Professor" was his BEST work. Everything else he did, paled in comparison.
Nice to see Jerry in a nice mood..People make such a big deal of Jerry being a bit nasty and cocky doing interviews..Shows another side that he’s can be in good or bad moods just like everybody else
I don't understand why Jerry goes into detail about Dean's nose surgery when his book, "Dean and Me", Dean had already had his nose done before Jerry even met him. Dean was introduced to Jerry by Sonny King. Jerry in his book says he could see the slight scar from a nose surgery as he was admiring Dean.
Are you sure? I'm pretty sure when I was reading an excerpt, he wrote that he knew him before, and told about the time that Dean decided to have the surgery, and Jerry was kidding him about it.
I love Jerry but he's wrong about his ER experience with his daughter. ERs prioritize by need. Even if he'd been "a cabdriver", if he made it clear his daughter was poisoned, he would've been rushed in right away. It isn't his celebrity that got him in the door.
Jerry has a habit of making mistakes as to events and dates. Mary Passalaqua, who he claimed was alive and well, died in 1988; this interview is taking place in Oct. of 2000. When discussing the telethon theme song, Jerry said that in 1950, a 12 -year old boy suggested that he have a theme song for the telethon, to which Jerry responded, "you mean like Gilligan's Island?" Gilligan's Island was first televised in 1964. In another interview, Jerry claimed that he never met Joan Rivers, who he despises. In actuality, he went on The Joan Rivers Show in 1968, which can be viewed on RU-vid.
Joan Rivers also appeared on the MDA telethon prior to his appearance on the That Show with Joan Rivers in 1966 and '67. I had the misfortune of pointing out that Jerry makes mistakes with dates and events (which is not character flaw at all), and his son Anthony Lewis and his friends like (his former manager, Joe Stabile's daughter Judy) attacked me on a mutual friend's Facebook post, saying that Jerry never got any facts wrong in his life. Anthony is a fb friend for additional reference. I'm one of the biggest Jerry Lewis fans out there but can admit his flaws and that while having a great memory for a lot of stuff, it was not perfect. It would be impossible to recall everything that happened in his life, being as full of events as it was. Anthony Lewis called me a little person whose skill set should be selling shoes, just because I happened to correct the story regarding his father's incorrect memory on something. The pompous attitude his son exhibits amuses me greatly.
