When Dean Martin pulled off a #1 hit in "Everybody loves somebody" when the Beatles and the rest of the British Invasion was wiping everybody out is nothing short of amazing.
Jerry's on point when he says that Dean Martin was one of the great talents in show business history. He was a great straight man, leading man and crooner in one package.
Of all the people in all the world that two people came together, it was Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, two extraordinary talents that came together and brought joy to the world of entertainment, and into our living rooms, may they forever live in our hearts and in our minds!!!!!
Dean Martin rarely gave interviews but in one that he did for the BBC (I believe it was) Martin said that it was he, and not Jerry, who broke up the act because Martin wanted to move on with his career. Plus Dean admitted he was not happy that his role in the partnership was reduced to just a few songs and being a foil for Lewis.
Lewis is tries to tell it like it was and indeed he was the one who caused the split because he became to over demanding and wanted total control over the scripts ,production, directing and it became to much for Dean . The final straw came when Jerry wanted Dean to play a cop and Dean said No. When Lewis threatened to get someone else Dean said" Go ahead Kid, I'm through" Deena Martin ,Deans daughter wrote the whole story in her book and went into great detail of how Lewis made it impossible.
Sounds like bs to me. This doesn't explain anything. If this were truly the story of the breakup, it would have been an amicable split and they'd have remained friends. Instead they refused to see or speak with each other for decades.
Wrong Sammy; They split because Lewis was over controlling , over working them past exhaustion, and mostly because he wanted Dean to do a certain part in one of their movies that Dean objected to and Lewis said "do it or i will get some-one else" Dean told him" Go Ahead Kid". and he quit right there and that's the simple honest truth.
I don't know the full story. But it seemed that Lewis was an attention hound, always had to be the center of attention. And it seemed to me that, most of the time in his comedy, he was just winging it (although he says that's true to a point). But Martin was the more consistent, well-rounded performer.
I was told, by a person that knew both Dean and Jerry, that people went out of their way to please Dean, because he was such a nice guy to be around. Jerry resented that Dean was so well liked. Jerry on the other hand had to scream that he was the talented one. It came late in life, but Jerry finally started saying nice things about Dean's talent, but of course Jerry still toots his own horn,,,LOUD AND CLEAR ,,,,lol.
Certainly Jerry Lewis should be acknowledged as an innovative and artistically creative talent in the film industry. However, Lewis was also known to be egotistical and argumentative and his conduct was largely responsible for the acrimonious split with Martin in 1956. To Martin's credit, after a bad solo film, he achieved artistic and commercial success that eclipsed Lewis in Some Came Running, The Young Lions, Rio Bravo and the Matt Helm films; his success in his NBC variety show was fabulous.
Dean was the spine of the act. Even Jerry wrote in his book that Dean would have eventually made it solo if they hadn't teamed up because of his massive talent, and added that no one would be interested in him doing record acts and shticks. The credit was all given to Jerry by the media and Dino got fed up. And so Dean left and became larger than Martin & Lewis itself... He had billboard hits, box office hits, sold out shows, and was the highest paid in TV that time. Jerry just made funny faces.
I believe that history has proven that out of the two Dean Martin was the more successful performer. Sure Jerry had his moments, but he eventually faded as a top movie star and bombed on television as a talk show/variety host. Dean however was successful in everything he did from music, movies, on stage and especially television. Also Dean was very funny; funnier I think than Jerry.
I stopped being a Jerry Lewis fan the evening--I was in my younger 20s--that his son, Gary, made his national debut on TV. Gary did great with the song material he had, he got a nice ovation. Then Jerry came out and kissed him full on the mouth, all so Jerry could pulled the attention to himself. It worked. The audience went nuts and poor Gary stood, humiliated.
I don't believe a word of this new version. He always played the victim in another version when he said "they" we booked in a club and Jerry had to go on alone...his standard version for years. He was a great talent but his real personality came through when he did his late night tv show..an obnoxious egotist. Dean went right to the top without him!!
If you read 'Dean and Me' Jerry is being very honest - he knew that Dean wanted to go it alone and so he orchestrated for it to happen. Jeanne Martin confirmed that this was true so actually he is being very accurate here.
even to this day jerry lewis is bitter about the break-up, this flies in the face of jerry saying for years that dean martin dumped him. yes, martin was the straight man in the comedy combo, but dean would go on to have a huge solo career in acting, music, and even his own show, this is sad.
So according to Lewis Dean left because he never got the attention, because it all went to Jerry? Yeah right, it would be closer to the truth to say it was Martin that was on the up and up. The public were beginning to tire of Lewis at this point.
Dino had impeccable comic timing & a drop dead wit. Jerry always, always considered Dean a complete talent. It's impossible to imagine who else Jerry could have worked with in a stand up partnership. These guys did three hour long shows early in their career together. It's shame there is not, to my knowledge, a single film of their complete night club act.
What great decision Dean took when slitting from Jerry , then he became " The King of Entertainment " with his famous TV Shows the " Singer " that everydoy loves forever ...Jerry continued his carrer but never reached the Dean's worldwide celebrity...
Jerry obviously loved Dean like a brother, but I think he's soft-pedaling how painful and acrimonious it really was. I think they met face-to-face twice over the rest of Dean's life.
It's impossible for contemporary culture to comprehend the degree of success they had in the early 50's. It was Beatle-mania before Beatle-mania. The perfect storm of talent, post war American enthusiasm for variety entertainment and the dawn of television. Both men went on to have great careers on their own and seemingly on their on terms. Read Shawn Levy's King of Comedy. Great bio.
Jerry just told the facts just as they were. I never heard Dean deny any of it being the truth. It was the best thing that ever happened to both of them.
It was Laurel & Hardy, not "Oliver & Hardy", and in their case, neither Stan Laurel nor Oliver Hardy was the straight man. They both played bumbling fools and did so perfectly.
There is no reason to break such a sacred friendship ! They made us laughed and will always be remembered as ever young and good friends. This is what I keep in my memory. Unfortunately and sadly Dean died. RIP Dean !
Great words honoring his Partner , since most though threw Tabloids it was a huge blow up , I was watching the telethon when Dean walked in , you could see the love . Coached everyone up .
Will Jerry Lewis ever gain any humilty or self-awareness or accountabiliy? Probably never. Dean was fed up and left. Jerry had to be sedated when they played their final show. If it was up to Jerry Lewis, they would have gone on forever. This is documented in many places - except in Jerry's ego.
The Delicate Delinquent was a breaking point for them. Dean hated uniforms, and wanted to play a plainclothes cop. Darren McGavin ended up playing the role. Ironically, Dean's last picture, Cannonball Run 2, had him and Sammy Davis Jr.. posing as uniformed cops. To this day I wish that he and Jerry Lewis had switched to a limited partnership. Go solo, but come back together every so often. Hal Wallis wrote that those who'd only seen them separately never knew how good they were together.
People wonder why Dean and Jerry "never spoke" for 20 years. The reason is simple: Dean rarely spoke to anyone outside of those he was working with at the time. He was reclusive. Frank Sinatra was about the only show biz person Dean socialized with.
Actually the 20 years of not speaking that many refer to was, from what I have heard, more of a myth that they both agreed on. Although they never reunited as a team nor were they close apparently they appeared briefly together in the early 60's and Dean also helped out by subbing for Jerry when he was making a movie. Jerry also attended Dean's sons funeral and although they did not speak there it was reported that they spoke on the phone afterwards.
Both were talented and gifted in their different ways. Both created laughs and bounced off each other. You cant say who were best. They were meant to be together in that time to create a union. Then they split. No judgment should be spouted.
Lewis was and is an arrogant bighead. Dean was way more talented and nicer with it. Lewis was the one who played down Deans part in his career and Lewis had the bigger ego. Don't forget Lewis refused point blank to even speak to Dean for years and had to be tricked into it by Frank Sinatra. Prior to that Lewis would refuse to even be in the same building as Dean.
The total change of Jerry Lewis doing comedy to Jerry Lewis being just Jerry Lewis was scary. There was not an ounce of humor about anything when he was just being himself , he was (is?) pompous, egotistical and did think himself as the TALENT in the duo. Dean on the other hand could be as funny as Jerry but had an innate humility about him . A natural comedian who didn't tell jokes. Was he underrated YES and I am happy Jerry came down to earth for 2 minutes to acknowledge him.
Dean was an incredible talent and a great human. He leaves a legacy that still attracts new aficionados Jerry, conversely, was a mouth that would do anything to upstage, downstage or out-soundstage Dean. Jerry is the master of 'if you can fake sincerity, you've got it made'. When he isn't faking sincerity he is a grandstanding egomaniac and the only joy he brings is when his part is over. If he hadn't shacked up with the MD telethon he would barely be a footnote in Hollywood history. Dean was a gentleman - an accolade that could never apply to Lewis. I mean, do you know anyone who listens to old J. Lewis bits? I do know many folks that listen to Dean singing 'Sway' or 'That's Amore' or Volare or his signature tune 'Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime'. Proof that only the good die young: Dean left 19 years ago ... and Lewis is still here. More's the pity.
Might have been better if niceguy Jerry had insisted Dean got equal recognition at the time. Not yak about it years later and not restating that jerry did this and jerry did that.They might have been together a bit longer. I can smell BS here.
Someone on this thread stated that Dean was hurt bcs Jerry got more fan mail than he did. Seriously, do you think Dean sat there and counted his fan mail? Dean was too busy doing his "thing" to even care about something as trivial as that. Dean was gorgeous. Don't u think Jerry was very aware of that?
I'm glad you did we would have never had the dean martin roasts which were a HUGE hit. then his variety show was a HUGE hit. so all turned out well. no one who's 50 or older will ever forget Dean Martin. and your yearly for MD which was a HUGE success .. you both did GREAT things after Thank you..........
I remember my sister falling down laughing at Jerry doing the nutty professor thing, when we were kids. He really is a great entertainer, and a fine musician too.
these guys made some movies together in the 50,s 60,s that were all box office record breakers. they were the most popular successful duo ever. . love these guys. God Bless.
he could never hold a candle to Dean. Acting, singing, looks, personality. Dean had it all. Jerry is jealous... He should shut up and go away. Dean never ever spoke like this about their partnership. A true gentleman.
I think thats true. What Lewis said here doesnt make any sense. Even in the telethon when they reunited, Lewis directly implied it was Martin who walked away.
Sorry, but I NEVER found Jerry Lewis to be funny. I do admire him, though, for all that he did for so long for muscular distrophy. But having said that, I think that Dean was FANTASTIC!
My parents took all us kids to the Warner Drive-in to see an Elvis Presley movie back in the late 60's which was a double feature. As soon as it got dark, they started the first movie, which was NOT the Elvis movie, but a Martin/ Lewis flick and more than half of the parking lot emptied in about 3 minutes...as a kid,i liked them both, but my Dad was NOT a happy camper that night.
Jerry was abrasive, talented, full of himself, however he knows what happened and hes taking the brunt of the blame and has never EVER EVER made Dean the bad guy. He has lauded him, loved him, and yes, irritated him. But he took it on the chin for Dean and has never bad mouthed him.
Yeah, that's what happened. That's why they didn't talk for 20 years. And then 11 more after Sinatra *supposedly* surprised them during the telethon. I have heard since they broke up that it was Jerry Lewis who was upset because people said he could never make it on his own without Dean Martin. (which is pretty much what happened -- although he was inevitably successful in many ways) There is probably more truth to that then what Lewis is stating here.
Lol....my left brain kicked in when he said "...GI loan..." and I was like damn that sucks he must be seriously broke. Then I laughed, he got me, lol. I can't wait to show my kids some Martin and Lewis, when they grow up.
How many of you believe the objectivity of his statement? I think this is an example of people remembering things the way they need to. Dean Martin simply got fed up and left. Jerry couldn't handle the fact that it was because of him. Not that every one was gaga over Jerry ("Jerry, Jerry, Jerry!") as he would like to remember it, but because of Jerry's behavior. He can't accept that, so he has to reframe it this way.
@timmyd61109 Couldnt agree more with this. I think Jerry was/is a great comedian and performer and theres never been another like him, but man oh man does Jerry love him some Jerry. Listen to him for 5 mins while he's not performing and his ego just bursts through...he loves patting himself of the back. So I take his account of things with a grain of salt
Dean > Jerry. They were hilarious together but Dino was better as a solo act. His "always drunk" act was the best, mostly because people actually thought and still think he was an alcoholic. When in reality, he wasn't. But regardless, he was still funnier, more charming, and talented than Mr. Lewis. As much as I love him, too.
I love Jerry, growing up with his movies and laughing for hours on end, but let's not kid ourselves - he would be the first one to tell you how great he realy is. "I did this..." and "I did that..." It was the unity of the two that made them stars, did Groucho make the Marx Brothers or did they make him? What would Costello be without Abbott or Laurel (the f'n GREAT Stan Laurel!) without Hardy?
I grew up in the 1960s' when Martin & Lewis films were shown regularly on the 3 TV channels we had then in the UK. They were usually broadcast at the weekend and I along with most of my friends thought they were brilliant. By then of course they had already broken up, but that didn't matter. I thought that they were both extremely talented and my favourite was Dean Martin. I enjoyed this clip and thought Jerry Lewis came across as a modest who was right to praise Dean Martin.
I just had a little twilight zone moment, because I just ended up here after watching a Gene Wilder video. I read your comment, and had to quickly look at the poster's name to see if it was me. The same exact thing happened to my mom. He was so rude that I never looked at him in the same way. I wonder how many people he did this to!
Jerry, I hope you read this. The problem was the Dean was almost as funny as you are. Straight man? You had the funniest straight man anyone could ever hope to find but he was hot a straight man, he was funny. Was Costello funny? No. Was Moe Howard funny? No. They were straight men. Dean? that had to be more work than you or I would believe!
Sheesh! These guys were together for TEN years. In that time you get annoyed with small stuff. Jerry was over the top. Dean could be too inclined to cruise and not develop. Whatever, they began to annoy each other. Jerry was hurt when Dean didn't front to a Jerry Lewis anniversary in the Catskills when he had been to a Dean Martin day in Steubenville. Dean wanted to get more of the funny stuff. Great together. Great solo. Both ways we win! These guys were the biggest in the early 50's.
In his bio, "Dino and Me: A love story", Jerry says that Dean Martin was more important to their act than he was. Jerry could write funny stuff, but Dean had such perfect timing and could be such a perfect straight man, that what was funny on paper became enormously funny when they performed together. Dean's talent as a straight man was just there, He didn't have to work at it. Certainly Jerry was jealous of that ability, so is nearly every other comedian, living and dead.
Not sure I believe this version of events. To think that Jerry got more attention for his annoying performances back then doesn't ring true to me. Sure, maybe in France, but I doubt that mattered to Dean. There were other theories bouncing around decades ago when they were both alive, so I don't know if I believe the 'truths' that come out after Dean's death. Jerry reminds me a lot of Micky Rooney, who crafts every story he tells to make him look big and important. Like when he announced on Larry King that he was the one who gave Marilyn Monroe her stage name of Monroe. I bet they were both invited to a party at 10050 Cielo Drive on August 8, 1969 too.
While I agree with most of what you said the business fact about The Delicate Delinquent is that the cost of the film was a little under $500,000, and it grossed about $6 million. I dont think it did as well money wise as the last couple of Martin And Lewis projects but is a far cry from what should be considered "a bomb". It was actually a good quality film too by even Martin And Lewis film standards.
I'm sure there were some very dramatic confrontations between the partners that finally blew up into the split, but Lewis's explanation makes sense as the foundation of the tensions between them. Obviously it took years for Jerry to reach this insight, otherwise their split would've simply been a business decision, rather than the end of any contact between them for so many years.
Of course it didn't help when Dean told Jerry that he was nothing but a dollar sign to him. Plus his drinking, often while on stage, certainly did not help their relationship.
Oh and I just wanted to add... I think we have yet to see Jerry's best work of his life... the movie of the man who entertained children in the concentration camps. I heard about it when I was a little girl and I am still waiting (AND PRAYING!) for its release.
I loved Jerry Lewis as a kid. The same thing happened to me when I was around 10 yrs old. My dad took me outside near the backstage door and waited for him to come out after a club show in Massachusetts. It was the late 60's. He finally came out after we waited for quite a while in the rain. I asked him for his autograph. There was only 1 other person there. "They got me running kid" he said as he got into his limo and sped off. I was devastated I remember. My dad wanted to kill him.
I have to disagree. Jerry, went on to become a big director, producer and he acted in many comedies as well as some dark dramas; one for TV in which he received an Emmy.
They worked great together, it's a shame they didn't recognize it more. Not jut the money, but they success they may have had. How many times have you seen egos get in the way of great duo's? I guess it's all part of growing up.
Jerry would have done just fine all by himself. He is the best of the rest! I grew up laughing at his movies. I now watch them, and know how much talent he has.When I was 3, of course I had no idea, my parents would tell me how I sat in front of the T.V. and just giggled whenever he was on. God love ya Jerry
I also understand both sides of this issue. Went to Rome one spring and doing the sightseeing thingy, some barrista thought I was someone famous and our translator, a good friend, born in Rome assured her that we were not famous, she refused to serve us for the fact that I did not want to give her an autograph. Strange but true, until this day I do not know who she thought I was.
lol @ all the armchair QBs who think they have it all figured out and are so snippy and catty. Look they were both very talented, did great stuff (for its time) together and afterwards solo, Martin especially (his show was classic, shame they couldn't have worked out a Lewis guest appearance).
Jerry Lewis is STILL in denial as to his own role in the break up. He says "I was responsible"--then blames the media! Jerry Lewis was a comedian--Dean was natually funny as he demonstrated many times in his nightclub acts and variety show! Jerry doesn't mention how he sometimes stole Dean's off-the-cuff jokes? Or how he spoiled one of Dean's singing performances on LIVE television? I thought it was a rumor until I saw it on film! Jerry's lucky that Dean tolerated his shameless antics at all!
Funny after listening to Penn Jillette speak on Dean Martin (on the Nerdist podcast), that Jillette believed Dean Martin was sociopathic after seeing him perform in Vegass. He explained that he believed Martin never felt any need for validation from the audience, whereas Lewis craved it obsessively. Makes sense that Jerry would paint this picture as both a vain portrait of himself and a mea culpa, for validation, whereas Martin wouldn't give a crap as long as the chicks and booze were on tap...
Do you want to see Dean and Jerry perform together again and Dino singing "Sway" and other great songs? Look for Martin and Lewis Tribute Show created by Tom Stevens and Tony Lewis. They are wonderful!
