Jerry Lewis Rushed to Hospital Before Friars Club Gala Honoring Tom Cruise

Legendary funnyman reportedly suffered from low blood sugar but is expected to be on the mend

By Alexis L. Loinaz Jun 13, 2012 12:39 PMTags
Jerry Lewis, Tom CruiseAndrew H. Walker/Getty Images; Dimitrios Kambouris/FilmMag

Funnyman Jerry Lewis had a not-so-funny health scare last night.

The legendary comedian was rushed to a New York City hospital after collapsing from low blood sugar just moments before a Friars Club gala where he was set to receive an award and present Tom Cruise with the night's top honor, the New York Post reports.

But how is he doing?

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He's apparently doing fine.

The 86-year-old collapsed at the Waldorf Astoria, where the event, which was hosted by Alec Baldwin, took place. Later, a Friars Club honcho took the stage and informed the audience that although Lewis had been hospitalized, he was expected to be on the mend.

A rep for the Friars Club tells E! News that the comedian is scheduled to be released from the hospital on Thursday and is feeling fine.

"Jerry Lewis was so sorry to miss the Icon Award presentation to Tom Cruise last night," the Friars Club said in a statement to E! News, "but is feeling much better today and thanks everyone for their good wishes."

Lewis was supposed to receive the group's Applause Award, and was also scheduled to present Cruise, 49, with the prestigious Entertainment Icon Award.

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Cruise, meanwhile, brought along two of his kids—17-year old Connor and 6-year-old Suri—who watched their father receive the Club's top honor.

The Mission Impossible star is in sterling company: The Entertainment Icon Award has only been handed out to three other stars—Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant and Douglas Fairbanks.

On hand to toast Cruise, who's currently in New York shooting his new flick Oblivion, were his Jerry Maguire costar Cuba Gooding Jr. as well as his one-time morning-TV sparring mate, Matt Lauer.

"I am sorry Jerry couldn't be here tonight," Cruise reportedly told the audience about Lewis, "but I know he is going to be fine."

Big props to Cruise, and here's wishing Lewis a speedy recovery!