In Italy, Lewis has been given the nickname 'Picchiatello' (which means something like "nut" or "crazy"). At least three of his movies use the word in their Italian title: You're Never Too Young (1955) which became "Il Nipote Picchiatello" ("The Crazy Nephew"), Hardly Working (1980) ("Bentornato Picchiatello", or "Welcome Back Crazy") and Cracking Up (1983)("Qua La Mano Picchiatello". pr "Shake My Hand, Crazy").
Is portrayed by Sean Hayes in Martin and Lewis (2002) (TV)
Jerry suffered a minor heart attack on June 11, 2006 which caused him to postpone his comeback in Las Vegas
Jerry took his last name from his actor-father's stage name.
Lewis always wore tiny lady's sized wristwatches, usually made by Cartier. They are easy to spot in all of his films.
Lewis changes white sweatsocks several times a day, always putting on a brand-new pair, and he gives the used ones to charity.
Nominated for Nobel Prize for his 50 years raising money to fight muscular dystrophy.
Oldest son Gary Lewis and his soft-rock group The Playboys had several pop hits in the 1960s, including "This Diamond Ring".At the height of his recording career Gary Lewis and Jerry appeared together on NBC TV's Hullabaloo".
On March 20, 1965, suffered a serious back injury while performing at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, resulting in chronic pain. He became addicted to the prescription painkiller Percodan, but says he has been off the medication since 1978. He now uses an implant device that dulls nerve impulses and can be controlled by a hand-held remote control.
Pronounced clinically dead from a massive heart attack in December 1982, after completing The King of Comedy (1983) with Robert De Niro.
Says his favorite Martin & Lewis film is The Stooge (1952) because "...it came closest to capturing what Dean and I had as a team".
Says there is no gap between comedy and tragedy.
Society of Operating Cameramen, (SOC) Honorary Member(1981) Lewis was honored for his contribution and development the first "Video Assist" for the motion picture camera in 1966. This allowed him to view his performance while directing himself in his films. This is used extensively today in filmmaking, known as "Video Village."
Some have said that if Lewis hadn't pursued a career in show business, he would have been a professional baseball player for the Dodgers. He played with the team a few times at charity events and was apparently very good.
Son of Danny Lewis.
Starred with Dean Martin on NBC Radio's "The Martin and Lewis Show" (1949-1953). They first appeared together in the films My Friend Irma (1949) and My Friend Irma Goes West (1950). The Martin & Lewis comedy team were one of a series of rotating hosts of TV's "The Colgate Comedy Hour" (1950).
Suffered a mild heart attack on the flight home to San Diego on June 11, 2006.
Suffers from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis.
The character Professor John Frink in "The Simpsons" (1989) is based on his role of Professor Kelp in The Nutty Professor (1963). He also did the voice of Professor John Frink, Sr in episode Treehouse of Horror XIV, segment Finkenstein. Also some of Krusty the Clown's off-stage antics are based on him.
Twice voted Best Foreign Director by the French film critics.