The adored entertainer – best known for his work as Dean Martin’s comic sidekick – lost his brief battle with illness on Sunday.
“Famed comedian, actor and legendary entertainer Jerry Lewis passed away peacefully today of natural causes at 91 and his home in Las Vegas with his family by his side,” a statement from the Lewis family said.
Lewis’ spokeswoman, Candi Cazau, would not elaborate on the illness he was suffering from, but recalled that the funnyman “had a heart of gold."
“He had a great life,” she told RadarOnline. “He was a huge inspiration to so many people. It’s a huge loss.”
After shooting to fame alongside Martin in the 1950’s, Lewis went on to a successful solo career writing, producing and directing many of his own films. He also appeared in many iconic movies such as The Bellboy, The Nutty Professor and The Patsy.
Throughout his life, Lewis raised millions of dollars for charities, acting as the chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and hosting the live Labor Day broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon for 44 years.
He was so devoted to the cause, that children affected by the disease became known as “Jerry’s Kids.”
Many in the industry have taken to Twitter to pay tribute to the star, with fellow comedy legend Jim Carrey remembering him as an “undeniable genius.”
He had seven children and is survived by his second wife, SanDee Pitnick.
This article first published on New Idea.
