Highlights in the life of Jerry Lewis

Friday, July 5, 2002 | 6:04 a.m.

A capsule biography of Jerry Lewis:

Born: Joseph Levitch, March 16, 1926, Newark, N.J.

Parents: Danny Lewis, comedian and singer; Rae Lewis, radio pianist, music arranger, her husband's musical arranger.

Education: One year of high school.

Early life: Stayed with relatives while his parents were on the road. Joined the family act at age 5. Entertained on the borscht circuit. As teenager, appeared in "record act," mugging to recordings of famous singers.

Breakthrough: Combined with casual friend Dean Martin Dino Crosetti). First appearance, 500 Club, Atlantic City, 1946; became nightclub stars.

First film contract: With Hal Wallis, 1948.

Movies with Martin: "My Friend Irma," 1949; "My Friend Irma Goes West," "At War with the Army," 1950; "That's My Boy," "Sailor Beware," 1951; "Jumping Jacks," 1952; "The Stooge," "Scared Stiff," "The Caddy," "Money from Home," 1953; "Living it Up," "Three Ring Circus," 1954; "You're Never Too Young," "Artists and Models," 1955; "Pardners," "Hollywood or Bust," 1956.

Movies without Martin (a selection): "The Delicate Delinquent," "The Sad Sack," 1957; "Rock-a-bye Baby," "The Geisha Boy," 1958; "Don't Give Up the Ship," 1959; "Visit to a Small Planet," "The Bellboy," 1960; "The Ladies' Man," "The Errand Boy," 1961; "It's Only Money," 1962; "The Nutty Professor," "Who's Minding the Store," 1963; "The Patsy," "The Disorderly Orderly," 1964; "The Jewels," "Boeing Boeing," 1965; "Three on a Couch," "Way ... Way Out," 1966; "The Big Mouth," 1967; "Hook, Line & Sinker," 1969; "Which Way to the Front?" 1970; "Hardly Working, 1981; "The King of Comedy," 1983; "Mr. Saturday Night," 1992. (Lewis produced, directed and/or co-wrote many of the films.)

Marriages: band singer Patty Palmer (1944 (1981)-, sons Gary, Ron, Scott, Chris, Anthony; former flight attendant SanDee Pitnick 1983 (present)-, daughter Danielle.

Honors: Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, Legion of Honor, France; Medal for Distinguished Public Service, U.S. Department of Defense; Lifetime Achievement Awards from the American Medical Association, Variety Club International, Rotary International.

Memorable quote: "I get paid for doing what children are punished for."