Jerry Lewis Gets Emmy Honor
First came the freedom fries. Now it's time to reclaim Jerry Lewis from the French.
The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' Board of Governors has announced that the iconic funnyman will be the recipient of the prestigious Governors Award at the 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards for his tireless work raising millions of dollars for the Muscular Dystrophy Association via his annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon.
"Jerry's dedication and humanitarian efforts combined with the magnitude and longevity of the public service work he has performed exemplifies everything the Governors Award represents," said Dick Askin, chairman of the Television Academy.
Despite myriad health problems over the years--from a back injury that's plagued him since the '60s and led to a lengthy addiction to prescription painkillers to a bout with viral meningitis to an unexplained collapse backstage at a London theater--Lewis has never missed a telethon.
The 79-year-old comic is traveling and could not be reached for comment. But a rep said Lewis was "quite pleased" upon receiving the news.
The award puts Lewis in some hallowed company. Past winners of the Governors Award include fellow comedy legends Johnny Carson, Lucille Ball and Bob Hope. The award has also gone to networks: ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox shared the prize three years ago for their joint 9-11 fundraiser, A Tribute to Heroes, and Viacom was chosen last year for its public service campaign, including its company-wide "Know HIV/AID," MTV's "Choose or Loose" and Nickelodeon's "Let's Just Play" initiatives.
Lewis will collect the award the 2005 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sept. 10. The 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will air on CBS Sept. 18 from Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium.
A month later, Lewis will be making the publicity rounds on a book tour. His memoir, Dean & Me: A Love Story, chronicling his 50-year relationship with Dean Martin, is due in bookstores in October.
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