Joseph Levitch, known professionally as Jerry Lewis, was born on March 16, 1926,
in Newark, New Jersey. He began his career as a singer and comedian, developing
his "Record Act" by miming lyrics to songs while a phonograph played offstage.
His breakthrough came when he teamed up with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the
comedy duo Martin and Lewis. They gained national prominence through nightclub
acts and television appearances, including their debut on Toast of the Town in
1948. Their film careers began at Paramount Pictures with My Friend Irma (1949).
After splitting from Martin i...