We all love a juicy celebrity feud, but the one that involves Jerry Lewis and Joan Rivers, probably two of the greatest comedians who ever lived, was pretty heavy. As the story goes, Rivers cracked a joke at Lewis’s expense, saying, “Jerry Lewis has to be thankful that he has the telethon because it helps his career.”
Lewis was not going to stand for that and wrote her a cold letter saying, “Dear Ms. Rivers, we’ve never met, and I’m looking forward to keeping it that way.” The letter went on to describe some very nasty things. Apparently, the jokester couldn’t take a joke himself.
The Lifetime Achievement Award
Though Lewis never actually received an Academy Award for any of his films, he did receive one for his entire career in the year 2009. "Lifetime Achievement" was certainly something he deserved.
It was an incredibly triumphant moment in his career, and he was very proud to have it; in fact, Lewis would carry around his Oscar trophy to just about every place he went.
Better Off in France
While Lewis did get a very special award towards the end of his career, he did experience a lot of flack from his critics. Often accused of being too silly or lowbrow, the elite didn't always take to his humor; strangely, he seemed to be hugely popular in France, but also, particularly among the French intelligentsia.
In fact, he had gained popularity there before really even hitting it big at home. Some of his fellow comics even disliked him (ahem, Joan Rivers.)
Strained Family Ties
Lewis had a complicated finally life. One of his sons, Joseph, tragically passed away at the age of 45 from complications relating to substance abuse. At the time of his passing, they hadn't spoken in 20 years. Though there was a lot of bad blood initially, Lewis was hit hard by the tragedy.
Lewis reportedly asked his other five sons to keep the passing quiet as the reasons would have been media fodder. As time went by, Lewis made peace with his anger, and in his own words, said, "you don’t get over [something like] that."
The Famous Son
Gary, Lewis’s oldest son, achieved fame himself as a member of the group "Gary Lewis & The Playboys." The band had a number one hit in 1964 called "This Diamond Ring." Gary has spoken out against his father and their troubled relationship.
Gary has expressed how he has felt that he wished he and his brothers were closer to his father over the years and that growing up, it felt like his father was more concerned with his career and image than his family.