Jerry Lewis Finally Speaks Up About Dean Martin

[@pleiadecca]

Together or apart, I never stopped loving them -- Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis. Thanks for the laughs and the memories.

[@Bliggick]

Jerry experienced a peak with his solo Paramount studios film contract with his inventiveness and elaborate sight gags in so many of those films. Dean was like a fine wine that just kept getting better as time went along with a charisma, singing talent, and casual humor that just wanted you to be around him.

[@davidm9618]

That wine, etc., Martin drank didn't get better, however.

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@Bliggick But he didn't get better. It was an act. A drunk act. He was better and happier with Jerry, early on, that is. Until "outsiders" got in the way. Jerry said it. And Dean said it so many times.

[@Bliggick]

When they were making those movies together Jerry's ego was getting so out of control it reached a point where they weren't speaking off camera. ​@kellycaviness4850

[@williamvan8164]

​@@kellycaviness4850 Was Martin really a drunk? I thought that was an act.

[@kellycaviness4850]

@ Dont think he was an alcoholic but I do think the apple juice thing was mostly made up. Dean Martin drank, it's kind of obvious. On his show, you can tell it's an act, he goes back and forth from acting drunk to sober. When he performed with the rat pack, I think it was real alcohol. Dean's career was arranged for him after his split with Jerry. He totally changed. Jerry never did because he managed his own career. Jerry, simply put, was Dean's lifeblood and it showed

[@MichaelVirchinsky]

I'm a 81 year old male,who loved Martin and Lewis from the very first time I saw then,and even after their break up I thought that was the last of Dean,but boy was I ever wrong,I loved both them then as partners and then as a single act,I still watch old Martin and Lewis movies and still laugh at the same things I laughed at as a kid,good humor never dies even when these two incredible men left this world,their memories will last forever Dean and Jerry thanks for the laughs and memories,and rest in peace!!!

[@lannylandrith]

The video spent almost no time explaining the breakup. Years ago I had heard that the breakup was due to Dean's wanting more attention. The video briefly suggested that the breakup was due to Dean's getting more and more attention - just the opposite of what I originally heard.

[@O-Cynna]

​@@lannylandrith Both of the versions you heard originated with Jerry, who was an inveterate liar. Nothing he said should be taken at face value. Back in their day most people in the entertainment industry knew that, but nowadays people tend to believe much of Jerry's B.S. The break-up was caused by Jerry's backstabbing and becoming impossible to work with. He did a lot of harm to a lot of people and often seemed to enjoy hurting people. It took Dean a few years to extricate himself from the partnership, due to the number of contracts and commitments the duo had accrued, but he finally gained his freedom. Years later Dino said that teaming up with Jerry was the best thing that ever happened to his career, and the 2nd best thing was splitting up with him.

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@O-Cynna Yes he said this and it's true. But Dean did not spend years trying to get out of the partnership. It was Dean who said if people would leave them alone, they'd be ok. It was actually Jerry who initiated everything. They both had signed a contract with NBC just a few months before they announced they would split on June 19. Why do that if you want to split? But Jerry was the one who got them out of everything, not Dean. Dean really didn't want to split, he revealed that in an article in 1957. For some reason they had to.

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@O-Cynna and I’m curious why do you think Jerry was a liar? just because you don’t like him? Why don’t you research their partnership and you will find out a lot of things that you obviously do not know such as Jerry was the brains behind Martin and Lewis, Jerry got Dean out of so many bad situations with money, and it was Jerry who paid over $600,000 to get them out of debt with the IRS. Not Dean, Dean didn’t want to have anything to do with it. In fact, he lied to Jerry and told him he would do a benefit for free in exchange for the money that Y. Frank Freeman gave him. Dean could be a real SOB, but of course nobody knows that because they won’t bother to research. Jerry is the one who fought for Dean who fought against the scripts that gave Dean very little to do. Dean knew this, and has said multiple times that He did not blame Jerry. He blamed the press look it up. It is all very well documented. Quit believing the lies.

[@01moria]

Jerry Lewis was a bit too silly. Dean Martin had the looks, the voice and personality. Jerry had a HUGE ego.

[@normastanley5853]

Yep -- that about sums it up

[@kellycaviness4850]

Dean also had an ego but it didn't show. In the sixties when he was at his peak, he said some things that proves it.

[@terry4137]

Jerry wasn’t bad looking himself when he was not acting.

[@kellycaviness4850]

@ Jerry was so adorable in the 40s and 50s but the 60s? Wow! He was the best looking man in Hollywood! Followed closely by Dean Martin, of course.

[@michaelsix9684]

Dean was great actor, comedian -- he had a natural talent, great singer too

[@georgehorner1578]

Great singer!

[@johnmelcher1778]

@@georgehorner1578 Amen!

[@jonnybalz]

Dean was a family man. Very close to his kids. Jerry left his handicapped daughter out in the street to survive on her own and left his sons out of his will. That's the difference.

[@Pure-Minty]

He was not a very nice man at all.

[@carlsmith4767]

Fk Jerry he hated kids

[@vitodicamillo5645]

Classic comedy from Martin and Lewis! No one like them before,, or since! RIP Jerry and Dean! You made your mark in comedy that has yet to be matched! One of the greatest and most creative comedy teams of all-time! My Dearly-departed Dad saw them live once, and never forgot them! He cried describing their act! Happy tears! His favorite comedy act ever, and one of my all-time favorites as well! No one like them before, or since! I'm 70 years old this month of December, the 23rd, 2024, and I remember these two like they're still performing! They were living examples of what Groucho Marx, also one of my favorites, once said," if you have to curse to be funny, you're not funny", and Martin and Lewis exemplified that Statement! Very funny without ever being vulgar! True comedy! Thanks for the memories, Jerry and Dean! Forever in our hearts! Laughter lives on!

[@MrDaiseymay]

IT TAKES All sort's I guess.

[@marilyn6979]

@@vitodicamillo5645 How nice to include your Dad in your comments:)

[@terirachelsims8928]

When I was much younger, our family doctor was friendly with Dean Martin and played golf with him every week. He told us he was very nice, and actually didn't drink at all.

[@jamesreding6336]

@@terirachelsims8928 I heard he didn't drink from a video of Frank Sinatra

[@rorromorro3839]

I read somewhere that he drank ginger ale, and or tea, which by color, would look like liquor.

[@allenkranawetter9482]

Really?

[@allenkranawetter9482]

​@@rorromorro3839oh wow 😅

[@marksprague1280]

I heard from several sources over the years that he demonstrated far too much athletic prowess and coordination to be the lush he portrayed.

[@farimahdilmaghani5751]

Great Combos i always love them and thanks for the laughs and joy they brought to the world😍😍💝💝

[@LJ-ht4zs]

never liked Jerry Lewis - never found him funny.

[@DATo_DATonian]

Dean Martin was generally recognized for having a lightening wit for ad lib. I remember once on his TV show, (which he never rehearsed for) a female singer whose name I don't remember was singing a duet with him and she flubbed a line of the lyrics. Of course she laughed in her embarrassment and the audience was also laughing when Dean casually said, "It's alright. Anyone can make a mistake. Look at Hitler."

[@alonzosymalla8638]

Dean had a much longer film career. Sons of Katie Elder, The Young Lions, the Matt Helm series, Something Big, Texas across the river, and many more! Enjoyed his movies much more then Lewis's.

[@davidkotze4140]

I'm 73 now ...from the 1st yime i saw Jerry ...he just irritated me !! Dean was and still is the Man for me !! RIP the both of you...catch you soon on the flip side !! 😊❤

[@BethDavis-d9v]

I agree with you, Jerry was too silly and irritating and I could not stand him. Dean was multi talented and the best singer and actor. He also was a very good father whereas Jerry certainly was not, horrible to his wife Patti--he proved what he was in the end by his will.

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@BethDavis-d9v Why do you think Dean was a good father when he left his first wife and four children. He wasn't a great father even his children have said things that leads one to believe he wasn't. Jerry never left his children and as far as I have ever read he was good to Patti so don't know where all the hate comes from. And the old excuse to hate on Jerry, 'he left his kids out of the will' blah blah blah. So tired of that one. He had his reasons and parents aren't obligated to include their adult children in the will' especially when the adult children have their own money and careers BECAUSE OF THEIR PARENTS. Get it?

[@BethDavis-d9v]

@@kellycaviness4850 Dean always stayed very much in his children's life and you show me one of his children saying he was a bad father. Jery was a violent husband and father when he was home and his children and wife have said so. They had to walk on eggshells when he was home and he abandoned them in his old age and will. Put your glasses on and brain in.

[@kellycaviness4850]

@ Researched them for years. Deanna said dean wasn't a good father but he was a good man. Claudia said he just didn't want to be a part of anything and that Jeanne had to handle everything and those boys of Jerry's, oh boy, they were something. Jerry was paying for Patti's care, trusting his kids with the money he gave towards that care, well it mysteriously never got to Patti so yea, glasses and brain fully on. Dean and Jeanne were apart way more than they were together, even Jeanne has said certain things throughout the years. When Dean was home he wanted nothing more than to be left alone. And if you'd research it you'd find it

[@kellycaviness4850]

@ And Jerry's son Chris has written a book about his father. All good things about Jerry and a peek into the very private relationship that was Dean and Jerry

[@FrazierMtnCheese]

My father taught his youngest son how to drive. He said when he met Jerry he was very smug, and not very friendly.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Lewis was obnoxious

[@carlsmith4767]

Tell it like it was, he was an asshole, and he hated kids. Jerrys KIDS was a big front.

[@Paulineramsden.]

I adored Dean Martin, but I loathed Jerry Lewis…he was a pain..

[@Hartley_Hare]

Lewis always seemed like he was trying too hard and only had one persona - and that persona was grating.

[@karelmarx8899]

Lewis was predator,rapist criminal 1st class like sinatra,kirk duglas, ect.

[@cathietonkin5577]

I always thought the same thing! I couldn’t stand Jerry at all!!!! Loved Dean Martin!!!!

[@renee4750]

I agree with you, I always thought Lewis was into himself.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

l was born in the year 1945 and l love Jerry & Dean......Thanks for this excellent video.....🇺🇸

[@WiseWindTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@AlanGGoldstein]

If you ever saw an interview with Jerry he was a man full of hate

[@jacquelinemarie1078]

God yes!!!

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@AlanGGoldstein it's funny, I've seen so many interviews with Jerry and I don't see hate. How many have you seen

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@jacquelinemarie1078 How many have you seen

[@vickitaylor680]

As a kid, I loved the Lewis movies. I’m sure he was not easy to live with. Dean was a much better man.

[@Jimvanhise]

A lot of people hated Jerry Lewis after working with him. I'm unaware that anyone ever said that about Dean Martin. Jerry did start the MD telethon but eventually it was taken away from him, much against his will.

[@jeffreymartin6369]

@@Jimvanhise Dean was supposed to have been a very nice guy! He wasn’t a drunk either that was an act. Yes Jerry did the telethon I will give credit for that but I’m an avid biography reader and I’ve read up on Jerry he was a genuine toxic narcissistic monster

[@brianpress1392]

Jerry Lewis Started MD and Throughout All Those Years Raised I Think it Was Said, About A Billion dollars, Without Jerry Lewis, MD Would've Never Had That Much $$$ Help. God Bless/Rest His Soul R.I.P. Dean Martin 🙏🏻🌹 Jerry Lewis 🙏🏻🌹

[@steve3602]

@@jeffreymartin6369 I know what has been said about him since his death. I'm not saying the articles are incorrect. What I am saying is it bothers me that when someone famous dies like a Carson or Lewis, the floodgates open for authors out to destroy them. I find it disappointing as the people they are ripping apart can no longer defend themselves. Additionally, the general public is not aware of all the factors that contributed to their actions. They just like judging people they don't really know - as well as judging them through an author who is out to make a buck.

[@alangrund5031]

Cut all of his children out of his will. Nice, hey? I could see if one was a bad apple, but all of them? Tells you all you need to know about Lewis as a person. A very talented, but very strange and unpleasant man.

[@njjeff201]

It’s hard to believe the time & dedication Jerry did for MD. It was horrible how they fucked him over & just dumped him. Unless he had ‘his hand in the til’ they had no right treating him like that. How much is MD taking in now every Labor Day??

[@josephmcghee8887]

The bitterness based on imagined wrongs comes through clearly.

[@lyndajohnson1098]

Jerry Lewis would be nothing without Dean Martin

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@lyndajohnson1098 Really? Why is that? You do know that if it hadn't been for Jerry they wouldn't have been a Martin and Lewis? And if it hadn't been for Jerry, Dean would have drowned in debt? And if it hadn't been for Jerry, Dean would have been left behind when they started making movies? And if it hadn't been for Jerry, they would have been in court for tax debt? Martin and Lewis owed over $600,000 to the IRS, guess who worked to pay it? Not Dean. Jerry did it, by himself. So before you say Jerry wouldn't have been anything without Dean, you might better research it. You'll find what I just said to be true. It's well documented for anybody who cares to find out. And there are so many more examples. But yea, it's the same old thing, "Jerry is evil, Dean's a saint" Dean was re-created twice, after he split with Jerry and after he died. He always had somebody managing his career, not Jerry, he did it himself. And all this I know, because I'm a huge fan of Dean as well as Jerry but Dean was NOT a saint.

[@lilianazweng610]

Dean Martin was a good family man. Jerry.... Remember that scene in the 'Nutty Professor' his alter ego.. that's who he was

[@kiragrandad]

When I was younger I thought their movies and TV programmes were mostly funny. I was never really convinced Lewis was a nice person in real life. On the other hand Martin gave me the good guy vib.

[@ErnieMathews]

My mother in law was a cocktail waitress in Vegas and said Jerry was unpleasant, cheap and smelled funny.

[@MrRobster1234]

Nasty, mean-spirited and obnoxious.

[@bigflirtrecords]

Singularly, these have gotta be some of the worst ways of being described …and it’s all 3 of ‘em. Damn

[@carlsmith4767]

He also hated children with a passion.

[@JudyLopez-Grell]

I believe that.

[@CanadianPatriot-y7q]

The problem here was that Dean Martin was a real talented singer with an incredible sense of humor, while Jerry Lewis was just a fairly good slapstick performer.

[@kellycaviness4850]

Jerry was Paramount's Golden Boy. I believe his streak of money making movies still stands, prompting a Paramount exec to say, "if Jerry wanted to burn the studio down, I'd give him the match!"

[@danielzielke9997]

I never could really get a "laugh" from Lewis, who was just acting like a circus clown and had no real delivery as a comedian, other than playing the "dummy". All the talent (with REAL comedy) is owed to Dean Martin. Let me put on DM's Christmas tunes and feel the warmth that he radiated with his fans.

[@dawolyan13]

Dean Martin was a talentless hack who just recited lines when prompted.

[@CanadianPatriot-y7q]

@dawolyan13 Well, for a talentless hack, how did he manage to actually be one of the top American performers of the time? And, with his lack of talent, how did he manage to become a multi millionaire from his performance! Are you sure if your head doesn't need a good examination?

[@O-Cynna]

​@@dawolyan13 You really have no clue, have you?

[@janepowers6711]

He was a bitter, angry man, my sympathies go to his children.

[@nancynayar-xy8zn]

Saw them in person during a visit to Chicago in the early 50’s. Absolutely loved them at that time. At the time of their split, I expected Jerry to continue as a big star, and Dean to be soon forgotten. Actually, the opposite happened, and now I can see why!

[@geraldscott4017]

Lewis was a worse human being than Dean Martin ever was.

[@raulduke6105]

Dean actually was known as a good,if distant guy and father. Lousy husband

[@nd4804]

And you know this how???

[@jeffreyhagelin3672]

Jerry Lewis raised millions of dollars for children's charities... I'll always remember those long marathons to exhaustion that tolled through for his children

[@garyperkins3208]

It's hard to say who was at fault The best scenario was that it was time to move on in their careers.. they both did well...Jerry had his ways of not being a good person even though his appearance on the telethon raised millions of dollars..today the telethon isn't watched by as many ppl now that he is no longer there. And Dean did good being alone in his movies, tv show, concerts and other things Both did good and may both continue to entertain where ever they went in the afterlife.

[@jacquelinemarie1078]

Lewis was not a nice human, not by a long shot, and I have never heard anything bad abut Martin, even his children seem to like him, unlike Lewis' children who claimed he was an abusive father and husband.

[@carolynwoolman3068]

I saw one of his much late in life interviews. He was beyond rude. He was such a bitter mean man. Evidently this was the man his family lived all those years. His family lived in dread everyday when he came home. I was never a fan of his type of goofy comedy so I never saw his movies. Finding out how he treated his wife and kids made me glad I never supported his work.

[@Wanamaker1946]

I think he was gay. He got married because it was the right thing to do for career. I think the brake up was a subliminal issue…..too close for comfort it would seem to me. He may’ve been in love with Dean Martin, and Dean got out just at the right time. A lot of those skits in today’s view are classic repressed feelings.

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@Wanamaker1946 Don't think he was gay, but maybe bi, Dean too. You know both of them had an FBI file don't you? They were both thought to be homosexuals, not just Jerry. And it wasn't Dean who got out, it was Jerry. Jerry broke up the act, Dean wanted to stay with him. They were talking in the mid sixties about getting back together ( Dean's idea) but it never happened. And I'll mention one more thing, ever heard the song Dean wrote for Jerry's birthday in I believe, 1953? It was Dean proclaiming his love for Jerry, and at one point saying he'd marry him. Wasn't supposed to be released to the public but it got out. It's amazing the reputation that was built for Dean, because Dean could have cared less what people thought of him. And the things I mentioned here are documented for anybody who wants to look.

[@O-Cynna]

​@@Wanamaker1946 I suspect that Jerry had a big crush on Dean. He seemed to be rather obsessed with him after seeing him once from a distance, and asked everyone he knew if they were acquainted with Dean. It was several weeks before they actually met. Jerry married very young, which was common back then among gay men who were in denial or covering up their leanings. He also slept with as many women as he could, and bragged about it. Dean felt protective toward Jerry (and several others with a marked vulnerable quality, Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift among them.) I doubt very much that Dean was sexually attracted to Jerry, or to any other guy.

[@leonardtownpl4081]

He was a great comedian and he'll be remembered for the Jerry Lewis telethon for years because he did something for kids

[@5cloudwalker]

its a softer landing for Lewis publicly if he said he broke up the duo… much like any relationship you don’t want to be dumped you want to dump the person instead to make yourself look better.. as an old man, funny people are usually very lighthearted and very funny in their old age. Jerry Lewis was always serious and had a bone to pick with everyone.

[@marilyn6979]

@@5cloudwalker no..he was a perfectionist

[@marilyn6979]

@@5cloudwalker just watch beg of Rock a Bye baby w Jerry struggling w long scene out of control hose and water everywhere..hilarious

[@gurialofti79]

I loved Jerry. Lewis - ❤ - I loved them both … ♥️♥️

[@themeat5053]

In the vernacular, Jerry Lewis was a schmuck. He'd have to stand on his mother's shoulders to kiss Dean Martin's butt.

[@O-Cynna]

His mother referred to Dean Martin as "that Italian." Neither of Jerry's parents was a very nice person.

[@maryanngreatbatch931]

I remember as a child watching his telethon on tv. The ego and arrogance dripped from him . I knew I didn't like him but as a kid didn't know why. Few yrs older and I saw it clearly

[@clurkroberts2650]

Lewis learnt all of his directing skills from Frank Tashlin. Remember that name. He directed and taught Lewis film direction and comedy. But, Lewis was undoubtedly talented. There is no denial.

[@tonyp6659]

Jerry Lewis was a good actor comedian; but I will only remember for the most part, what a horrible father to his children he was.

[@mike59317]

I was looking for this comment,let us not forget how he treated his first wife and their sons.

[@kentclark6420]

He sexually abused women.

[@cynthiareed4848]

So true and a awful husband to his first wife he was not a nice man but a good actor comedian

[@markfriedman5706]

He single handedly derailed Gary's career with the Playboys when he could have intervened and didn't.

[@cynthiareed4848]

@markfriedman5706 he was a very mean and scary man in private life jerry Lewis felt he could treat people anyway he wanted and did and nobody got the worst of it more than his wife and children he cut his sons off because they took up for their mom after the divorce because he left her without a dime in the divorce

[@ritchievernon8099]

Jerry Lewis couldn't even leave an inheritance behind for his kids! He wouldn't know the difference between right and wrong if it bit him! He was corrupt in life! 😠🔥

[@kellycaviness4850]

Nope. You only know what you've read. Far more to it than that.

[@jacquelinemarie1078]

@@kellycaviness4850I have watched interviews with jerry and separately his sons. this man was a cruel human. And yes, I read and research. just curious, where do you get your into if you don't read? haha. never heard that one before. if we read, it isn't true????

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@ritchievernon8099 He had reasons

[@ritchievernon8099]

@kellycaviness4850 that's not good enough! Plus he was corrupt in Hollywood! His record speaks for itself! How many muscular dystrophy kids can tell you as well that he really didn't care for them! I saw a video on that one time! The kids who had the most dystrophy problems were not put on video! Only those that Jerry chose! He was a phony all the way and he also raped some starlets! Reasons or not he was corrupt! 😠🔥⚖️

[@ritchievernon8099]

@kellycaviness4850 if I was in the same position and maybe angry at my daughter for something I'm still not going to leave her out of my will that's wrong on so many levels! 😠🔥⚖️🙏

[@jonrettich-ff4gj]

In the 50s when I was a kid and adults were far more authoritarian Martin and Lewis represented to me adults that understood us kids. They represented some adult understanding , even sympathy, in what was then a very formidable world. I found it reassuring and remain grateful. Who could conceive of the brutality he exercised on his first wife and children or the antipathy he displayed in his interviews when much older. Martin seemed always far gentler and consistent with his earliest persona as well as a fine actor and a very great singer

[@LJ-ht4zs]

I never like the Dean Martin Jerry Lewis duo. Later, I did like Dean Martin. Later learned that Jerry Lewis was not the good guy that was depicted. No surprise! But he turned out much worse. -

[@rabymaidahsavage258]

People sometimes fall apart..that's life

[@WinterRavens]

Well said.

[@terry4137]

Jerry Lewis did all the work behind the scenes and act/comedy! Dean never rehearsed and just showed up all good looking and sang also playing the straight man. I loved them both in different ways.

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@terry4137 it's true, Dean hated to rehearse but he did it for Jerry. He never rehearsed for his TV show. His producer thought about asking Jerry to see if he could get him in the studio to rehearse but didn't. He just said Jerry had a way with him.

[@crunchstick1277]

Jerry Lewis carried the biggest grudge in Hollywood and played victim to Dean Martin, even though he chose to continue to play the goofball even post Martin-Lewis years. Then he expected to have his ass kissed by everyone and when they didn’t he pouted even more and died an angry old man.

[@tibault123]

Love them or hate them, Martin & Lewis were magic. My father had a sophomoric, low-brow, fecal sense of humor. Years ago, I played him the movie "Dumb and Dumber" thinking he'd really like it. He sat there stoically. I asked, "You don't like this?" He shrugged, "Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin did this stuff years ago." He was right; Jerry and Dean paved the way.

[@timc9893]

That's one hell of a way to describe your father. I'm sure he thought you were a pompous ass as well.

[@barbarapiper477]

Dean Martin was my favorite loved his singing

[@Lee-qp6gf]

They both had separate talents, but Martin won.

[@waterwitch8902]

I grew up in the 60s and i was really sick. Jerrys comedy kept me living. I will always thank him for that.

[@marilyn6979]

@@waterwitch8902 awesome..agree..funny and therapeutic

[@rick43pen]

Jerry had huge talent and an even bigger ego. He was a ruthless control freak about everything he did. I'd rather hang out with Dean Martin any day.

[@Ar.maverick]

A comedy duo that will live forever. in the hearts of everyone whoever watched their antics and comedy. I always enjoyed their movies and Jerrys movies.

[@jacquelinemarie1078]

wow, rose colored glasses

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@jacquelinemarie1078 For somebody who hates Jerry Lewis, you sure comment alot. Why do you even care? Jerry was wonderful and I know this because I didn't go by what his haters say, because they know absolutely nothing. It's almost comical when you read some of the things people comment that are so untrue. Glad I found out the truth.

[@kellycaviness4850]

@ They're not forgotten or we wouldn't be here talking about them. Of course twenty year olds don't know who they are. Why should they? And for the record, alot of younger people know who Martin and Lewis are.

[@georgewallace-r3k]

As a kid i watched Lewis and never liked him but as a child never knew why, now i'm 89 and see he really had no talent. 2nd rate slapstick only.

[@danielzielke9997]

GW ... you are so right. Even his own children hated him as being a total SOB. Dean Martin had real class without being smug about his beautiful singing voice and well-loved character playing. Going to listen to his Christmas albums right now!

[@susantunbridge4612]

Absolutely correct. I disliked him as a teenager and wouldn’t watch the movies. Still can’t stand him. Norman Lear writes about how insecure Lewis was, how demanding, and how jealous he was of Dean. Lear (who wrote for the team for three years until he couldn’t stand Lewis any more) said that Dean could make him laugh with a tiny gesture, way funnier than Lewis,

[@colephelps6202]

Same. Dean Martin always seemed like he was having to work around the antics of his so-called partner.

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@danielzielke9997 I adore Dean but he could be very smug and his head did swell a bit in the 60s so it wasn't only Jerry. People give him a bad rap without really ever researching him or Dean for that matter. They were both wonderful together with Jerry being the one who broke up the act. Dean did not want it but after he became successful he said some things in the press that made him look like a big a*****e, but Jerry gets the bad rap for being abusive to his sons. Ever thought it could be the other way around? All I'm saying is those kids weren't all innocent and it's not at all uncommon for celebrities to leave grown kids out of a will. His wife and daughter needed it. He had already taken care of Patti's medical expenses through his son but the money mysteriously disappeared. You figure the rest out

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@susantunbridge4612 Wrong. Norman Lear was fired by Jerry AND Dean

[@georgehorner1578]

Lewis was an A hole, a one trick pony, the man boy act got old really quick, Dino was a great talent, Lewis was holding him back.

[@ritchievernon8099]

Jerry Lewis was the jealous little boy that if he was invited to a baseball game and he had the only ball he would make sure he got to dictate everything before the game even started! This would make the whole baseball team mad! And somehow or another they would come up with another ball! And get rid of whining Jerry Lewis! 😂😠

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@georgehorner1578 They were both great, they both had wonderful careers, and if Dean hadn't wanted to be with him, he wouldn't have. Dean didn't want the split, he wanted to stay with Jerry

[@raftfan]

Jerry was a troubled man -- and a contradictory personality. He could be very kind and generous, yet could possess a cruel streak. I had a friend whose father appeared in THREE RING CIRCUS, as the contortionist. When filming on location, fans would gather around the set to watch. After the scene was shot, Lewis would hurry off to his trailer while Dean would walk over to the group standing outside to talk, shake hands, sign autographs or pose for pictures. Completely different personalities. Even in his later years when he was frail and ill and dining at his favorite restaurant La Famiglia, Dean would never turn away anyone who wanted to approach him. He was always accommodating to his admirers. Sort of appropriate that this good and decent man left for Heaven on Christmas Day.

[@JamesCAsphalt8]

That was a very good chronological biography! Well done!

[@lizdoyle7158]

Jerry lewis was a genius so funny made great movies entertained the public for years and years his movies are still Being viewed all over the world as for his private life that was entirely his own business God bless him Dean martin was a great star who was great together as double act like Crosby And hope it was always going to end Sometme they both became even bigger stars on there own Dean for singing and Jerry for his comedy loved them both

[@joyarnold3841]

Thank you for this behind the scenes look at a comedic icon!!

[@bear4759]

I used to do things that Jerry did all my life, people look at me funny, but it put a smile on their dial, that's all that matters; I am 66

[@markfriedman5706]

I was 6 in 1956 when they broke up, I still remember my parents and their friends speaking of the break-up with great sorrow, like a real divorce.

[@shackdaddy7106]

This documentary implies that Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin started out as a comedy team in 1945. It was in fact, 1946. In about a week after they started out, they became the hottest act in show business. They were already very well known before they appeared on Ed Sullivan in 1948. And you never mentioned that Jerry appeared on and guest hosted the Tonight Show. How could that possibly be ignored?

[@crabbyhayes1076]

Absolutely. As I recall, it was just after Jack Paar retired, and they were looking for a new Tonight Show host. So they gave a number of candidates the opportunity to guest host. Although I was never a Lewis fan, I always thought that was the best week of comedy he ever did. That said, Johnny Carson was clearly the best choice NBC ever made.

[@euniceross7685]

I was disappointed Cinderfellow was not mentioned. It was one of my favorites. He was a dancing man.

[@cnault3244]

"Jerry Lewis Finally Speaks Up About Dean Martin " ????? FINALLY? He's been dead since 2017. Did you have a seance?

[@madlenellul3430]

Probably just ‘dug up’ some dirt… Sadly it was always Jerry’s ego !!… Dean was far to tolerant.. 🥰🇺🇸

[@MrMustangMan]

Ouija board

[@AllenMurphy-le8sw]

I remember seeing the delicate delinquent when I was about 12 years old it had a real affect on me. I always would go to see the Martin and Lewis movies after they broke up. I would want to see either one at any point or time I could.

[@tfd7915]

Later in his life, Dean Martin did an interview where he said that the breakup was because Jerry Lewis needed to be the one and only star. The more attention Dean got, the more frustrated Lewis became. At least that's what he said happened

[@michaelsix9684]

it's probably true

[@alangrund5031]

Yeah. As talented as Dean was, he finally said enough to basically being a straight man to his antics, and singing a couple songs. The trajectory of their separate careers speaks for itself. Can anyone really sit thru one of Lewis's movies today? They aren't even shown on TV. His "career" basically turned into the yearly telethon show. Period. Dean was very successful in film, recording, and his TV show was extremely popular for a long time. He basically got tired of show biz and retired. The early death of his son also had a severe impact on him.

[@gmaureen]

@@alangrund5031 I met Jerry once, it was at a private industry function. I thanked him for his work on the telethon and he barely lifted his head. He did not make a great impression on me.

[@noyopacific]

I was never dim witted or drunk enough to appreciate Lewis's attempts at humor. He seemed like a jerk to me.

[@tfd7915]

@noyopacific In general, I agree. I'm not a fan of the kind of physical humor he was famous for in his younger career I will say as he got older. I did like some of the comedy in his later movies. I can't remember the name of it, but there was the one movie where he played several parts and each one was the potential father of a child who would go and meet each one to try to decide who the real father was He was really funny in that movie and there was a couple of others. I think he was good in But that kind of silly comedy he engaged in when he was younger was not for me. So I guess in general I agree with you, up to a point

[@mikekenney1947]

Had some personal contact with Jerry and his family. Enough to know he was a bum. He might have drawn attention to the duo (so would have been a traffic wreck) but he was a drain on Dean Martin

[@frankdevechio3043]

There was equal blame to gi around in that partnership. Jerry was the genius behind Martin and Lewis and everything Dean brought to the Rat Pack after their breakup was written by Jerry

[@AlanThrower-n1j]

@@frankdevechio3043 NO WAY !!! Dean simply hitched his train to a mostly talentless caboose who constantly kept himself on fire and off the track by convincing only himself that he had something to offer.

[@steve3602]

@@AlanThrower-n1j Wrong! Regardless of how you feel about Jerry as a person, he was far from talentless. He was a great actor, dancer and showman. As far as being a comedian, that's a subjective opinion. I always loved slapstick from Chaplin on down. In my view Lewis was the greatest slapstick comedian ever. How could a "no talent" consistently leave an audience in hysterical laughter as he did on each episode of The Colgate Comedy hour? He had perfect comedy timing and was the first performer to break the "4th wall." I take nothing away from Dean. He was also super talented, a great singer and dancer with equally perfect timing. They were in every sense the greatest comedy team of all time!

[@wdd3141]

@@steve3602 Remember Duke Mitchell and Sammy Petrillo in "Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla"?

[@AlanThrower-n1j]

@@steve3602 So aside from only himself, he fooled you too. How does the kool ade taste?

[@bobbyaustin8478]

Everyone loved Dean Martin, you can't say that about Jerry Lewis. Without Dean Martin there would be no Jerry Lewis. The reverse is not true.

[@williamwatson4354]

Dean might just have been the greatest straight man ever.

[@The-Cosmic-Hobo]

Being a bit younger than some, whilst I grew up with reruns of Get Smart, I also grew up with Inspector Gadget. Loved this guy. :) Amazing seeing how well most of the above stand-up , err sorry, monologist, routine has withstood the test of time.

[@jamesvisentine894]

I never cared much for jerry lewis. There is a big difference between being honestly funny and being downright silly!

[@jamesreding6336]

He was great I miss him I loved him singing the song at the end of the Telethon

[@brianegendorf2023]

He did have some interesting guest appearances in the 90's. I loved him on Wiseguy..

[@izzynutz2000]

I seen Jerry Lewis in St Louis one time where he was checking on the MDA in St Louis when he came out of the building he was not happy and there were Jerry's Kids waiting outside to meet him and he snubbed them all and got into the car and him and the driver left and that was enough for me and boy the stories that fly around La in the dark corners of the city portray him as a real a-hole

[@freedomringsnow93]

Jerry was a comic genius...... especially physical comedy. He was a musician and a good singer.

[@BethDavis-d9v]

I find that hilarious.

[@randyhuke3773]

Jerry brought us a new type of comedy for the times much as Robin Williams did in the modern era. And yes, there is only one Robin Williams, but there was only one Jerry Lewis.

[@cliffscott9547]

He was hilarious, but towards the end, he treated his real children horribly, leaving them out of his will and leaving everything to his new wife and adopted daughter. It's sad because he was Mr. Hyde at home. They never knew what to expect when he came home, and the public didn't have any idea the abuse his first wife and kids put up with. My Dad was the same.

[@randyhuke3773]

Dean and Jerry were as different as night and day, but on stage they meant to be together

[@JayTee0007]

I grew up in 1960's and 70's. I loved Jerry Lewis. I loved his humor and he was the best as far as I am concerned; and yes he was a legend! Miss- you Jerry! 😌

[@marilyn6979]

@@JayTee0007 😀

[@georgeholland6725]

He was a bumbling idiot at best.

[@marcrichard7251]

I agree 😊

[@GeorgeWallace-l1s]

never thought he was even a bit amusing

[@donaldperez7981]

Dean Martin's daughter Claudia was born on March 16,1944 whereas Jerry Lewis was born on March 16th, 1926

[@rhmrtrt9672]

Jerry was and still is one of my favorite comedians. When is stealing food "pranks"?

[@lukeinsandiego]

In the 70's I ran a Messenger Service in Hollywood and we delivered to a lot of the celebs who did TV and film, especially Warner Bros. We did a lot of liquor to the Dean Martin Show. I was told, but do not know personally, that the liquor he was known to drink was delivered (along with other liquor) by the case but I don't know if it was for show or drunk by others or by Dean. The only Celeb the drivers used to rave about was Cher. She was friendly and usually offered drivers a drink--this WAS THE 70'S. I actually met Sonny years later when I sold advertising and he was showing up at his restaurant BONO'S--I think on Sunset but I am not sure. He told me: "I'm Sonny Bono. I don't need Publicity." Not real friendly.

[@BladeStar-uq6xe]

After the break-up Dean's career soared! Jerry's career slowly went down hill.

[@jacquelinemarie1078]

The telethon keep him going for awhile, but he was a dick to everyone there as well, people said. He just wasn't a nice guy.

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@BladeStar-uq6xe No. They were both superstars in the 60s. Their careers both took a hit after that, especially in the 70s

[@scottmarkuson7824]

I can’t believe this missed three major events in his career. His first ever appearance in a major film which was a musical he had a cameo in called Lil’n Abner. Second was his earning a Noble Prize for creating video play back while directing the Nutty Professor. Lastly was when Sammy Davis Jr. brought Dean Martini Jersey’s telethon for a second time and begged them on the air to Barry the hatchet once and for all on the air,because he was dying and he would take over the show until they had settled their disputes. Which they finally did.

[@angelofiligenzi4622]

I was in the stage orchestra when Lewis played in Phoenix, AZ. Near the end of his show, someone right in front of the stage made some remark. Since this was at least 30 years ago I don't remember what that remark was but Lewis just lit into the woman for a full 2 or 3 minutes insulting her and really almost shouting at her. Maybe the woman shouldn't have made any remark but Lewis had no call to rake her over the coals like he did. One or two comebacks would have been fine. After the show, he stood by the door while the orchestra left. It looked like he was waiting for someone to make something flattering to him. As for me, I just looked at him with a very straight face and almost sneered and left. He was a no-class act.

[@Steve52344]

Lewis was a GIANT.

[@StephenRyder-w3q]

a GIANT scumbag

[@georgeholland6725]

Yep! A giant arsehole.

[@davidlsmith3864]

5:31 Tony Cutis and Jack Lemmon ARE NOT Martin and Lewis !!!

[@davidlsmith3864]

18:22 Neither is Elvis Lewis, of course. SHAME on editing.

[@nolier]

An indicator of descent character usually will be in the offspring's version of the parent and in lewis's case it's shocking ,he even paid one guy just so he could punch someone when he got angry ,the guy got $500 a week and thats tells me all I ever want to know about him

[@philjorgensen1950]

In San Diego, a friend of mine was a valet at a high end steak house where Jerry Lewis frequently dined. My friend told me that Jerry Lewis always tipped the valet $50.

[@wp4934]

I watched and, for the most part, enjoyed Jerry and Dean for years. Jerry impressed me as a man trying to convince himself and everyone else that he was happy!! He always appeared desperate for approval, which one would assume to be natural in a performance career. If it is true that most or many comics are in their comedic careers because they are actually depressed, that is how I viewed him. NOne of this is meant to be critical, just they way I saw him, my opinion!! I would never wish him anything other than happiness and blessings for him and his family!!!

[@kellycaviness4850]

@@wp4934 You are so right. Jerry was desperate for approval because of his upbringing which wasn't always the best. Dean gave him the attention, affection and approval he needed. Ever notice how both of them always tried to make the other laugh, especially in their TV show, The Colgate Comedy Hour. They performed for each other

[@notmyworld44]

Some of his best moments were on Jack Paar's Tonight Show in the 1960s! I remember especially one time there when he did a spontaneous parody of the song "'Til There Was You" in a New York borough accent. "There wa boids on the hill, but I nevva hoid them sing-ging 'til there was you!" The lush orchestral accompaniment made it even better.

[@rondodson5736]

I lived and worked in Vegas during his later years. He had a reputation for being the cheapest you know what in Vegas. I had a friend who drove a limousine for him one time. At the end of the day he got out and handed the driver a $1 tip. He then asked the driver if it was $1. The driver replied yes. Lewis commented he wanted to make sure it wasn't $5. On the charity show he hosted every year he demanded $5 million payment to emcee the show. That money had to be in his account before he would walk on stage.

[@juliandouglas-smith3066]

The Dean Martin Show was far superior to the Jerry Lewis Show. It ran from 1965 to 1974 for 264 episodes!

[@robertcarveth8722]

I'm sorry but I could never stand Jerry!, a poor actor trying to be funny does not a laugh make!

[@roberthutchison8197]

WITHOUT A DOUBT, HIM AND DEAN WERE MY FAVORITE COMEDY DUO AS I WAS BORN IN 1944 AND GREW TO LOVE THEM! .

[@grampandrich7486]

Jerry Lewis was one of the best comedians. He was totally awesome.

[@MichaelAndrews-uy1gl]

Regardless of his personal life, Jerry was a comedic genius...his performance in the movie "The Nutty Professor" is a classic not to be forgotten. We are so prone to judge someone's life without walking in their steps.

[@dawnstrohm5382]

I didn't find him the least bit funny!

[@BigGuyBoleslaw]

Their's was a handshake 50-50 partnership. Breaking up cost them (in 1956 dollars) $500 million each -- $5.8 billion today. Jerry says in "Dino & Me: A Love Story" that Dean was what made them successful as a duo, that finding someone to play Jerry's part in the act would be easy. Finding a straight man with timing, looks, and smarts like Dean Martin would be impossible. Dean Martin was the best straight man ever. Jerry wrote the act and handled all the details. Dean just showed up, listened well, and made it all work when they were on stage together. After a decade, they each had resentments and jealousies towards each other.

[@MichaelCox-b7c]

The last time they were together was on Jerry's telethon, brought on the show by Frank Sinatra.

[@conneeboulmay3431]

Thank you!

[@MarcusGuenther-g1f]

Dean Martin was loved by so many other entertainers and many wished to be on any variety show or dais of his Roast shows.... Rumored that Jerry was more and more difficult to work with even with his *Telethon for MD *..... I heard later on Martin & Lewis did publically apologize and did reunite a couple of events again.

[@darvyowolf]

this had nothing to do with dean martin....really disappointed at the title

[@fluffgirl1000]

he had a heart murmur but he live til 91

[@Lily-wp8ol]

All a heart murmer is, is a valve not closing at the exact same time as the others. It is not dangerous, or debilitating.

[@perry92964]

there were so many stories floating around back then as to why they broke up, pick one. as for me i kind of got the impression dean really just wanted to go to a club and sing and have a good time where as jerry was all work and no play. while it seemed jerry struggled though life dean seemed to just coast and go with it and i think jerry hated that and thats why they split. thats just my opinion and as i said pick any one of the ever changing stories you like

[@richarddecicco3288]

I never thought Jerry Lewis was funny or talented. Dean Martin was a real talent.

[@obeomahbey7534]

The king of comedy was his best!