08/22/2017

How Jerry Lewis Defined Charity Telethons

He ultimately helped raise billions for muscular dystrophy research

Jerry Lewis, the comedic icon who died Sunday, was for decades perhaps the biggest face of an individual organization, through his help with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He ultimately helped raise billions for muscular dystrophy research.

Jerry Lewis was perhaps one of the most famous comedians of the past century, someone who dazzled in a wide variety of performances, especially those with comedic partner Dean Martin.

Lewis, who died Sunday at age 91, was well-regarded on the stage and screen. But the biggest performance of his career is one that he spent more than half a century focused on—his telethon efforts with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, along with secondary groups such as the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).

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