Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis during a 1954 telethon in 1954. More Jerry Lewis telethon photos. (Michael Ochs Archives)
• Jerry Lewis has parted ways with the Muscular Dystrophy Association after more than 50 years — sooner and more sharply than expected. In May, it was announced the comic, 85, would retire from the telethon business after hosting one more this fall, but would stay on as MDA’s national chairman. But Wednesday night, the charity announced that Lewis will not appear on the September show, and that he’s no longer its chairman. MDA officials declined to explain, reports AP, and Lewis’s rep refused to comment. But there was some hint of possible turmoil last Friday, when Lewis spoke with reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour to promote a new documentary. When asked about plans for his last telethon, Lewis snapped, “who told you that?”, reports our colleague Lisa de Moraes, and he promised to divulge more at an “international press conference” the day after the telethon next month.
