Jerry Lewis Back at Work

Mon., Jun. 19, 2006 2:20 PM PDT by Josh Grossberg

Even a heart attack can't keep Jerry Lewis from helping his kids.

The 80-year-old entertainer, who underwent surgery in San Diego last week after having what his rep described as a "very minor" heart attack, is making a fast recovery. The comic icon has regained enough strength to begin preliminary work on his annual Labor Day telethon for muscular dystrophy, according to a spokeswoman at Jerry Lewis Films.

His assistant, Penny Rice, told E! Online that Lewis was discharged from the hospital Saturday after doctors inserted a stent in an artery to improve his circulation and is now resting comfortably with his family.

"Presently he's in San Diego aboard his yacht getting some R&R," Rice said. "He's doing quite well. Nothing will hold him back from the telethon."

Lewis' manager, Claudia Marghilano told the Associated Press that the funnyman was also taking medication for pneumonia, which Lewis came down with before suffering the heart attack on June 11. Pneumonia commonly strikes people with pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung ailment Lewis was diagnosed with six years ago.

"He's had [pneumonia] several times. That's typical of having this lung illness," Marghilano told the wire service. "They put him on antibiotics and he's recovering. He's just doing great now."

The illness forced the comic legend to postpone live performances booked for the Orleans hotel and casino in Las Vegas July 13 through 16. Rice said those gigs will be made up some time in 2007.

Ironically, the health scare came just days after Lewis held a press conference trumpeting his return to the stage after a five-year layoff. He also announced plans to direct a musical inspired by his classic 1963 film, The Nutty Professor, with the aim of bringing it to Broadway by 2008.

The show's executive producer Ned McLeod told AP that the show is scheduled to go on--with Lewis.

"We're excited for his recovery," McLeod said. "He's been joking with folks for several days now and warming up."

On June 9, Lewis was in New York where he was the guest of honor at a Friar's Club roast. On June 10, he attended a party with the cast and crew of NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, for which he recently filmed two guest appearances that will air next season.