Jerry Lewis Hospitalized After Collapse, Doing 'Fine'
Comedic icon Jerry Lewis has been hospitalized after collapsing ahead of the Friars Club awards ceremony Tuesday night, but is expected to recover shortly.
The 86-year-old did not have the chance to accept the Applause Award at the New York City event due to low blood sugar, according to The New York Post.
Additionally, Lewis was supposed to present Tom Cruise with the Entertainment Icon Award during the night.
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Cruise acknowledged the incident during his acceptance speech, telling the audience, "I am sorry Jerry couldn't be here tonight, but I know he is going to be fine."
Lewis is expected to make a full recovery following his hospitalization. A publicist, Candi Cazau in Las Vegas, indicated that Lewis' colleagues informed her the comedian is fine. She attributed Lewis' collapse to his hectic schedule and that he simply forgot to eat or drink, causing his blood sugar level to plummet.
"Jerry Lewis was so sorry to miss the Icon Award presentation to Tom Cruise last night," said a spokesperson for the Friars Club, according to the Post. "But he is feeling much better today, and is back at his hotel and thanks everyone for their good wishes."
Following his appearance at the Friars Club, Lewis is to begin three weeks of rehearsals on "The Nutty Professor," which is scheduled to open in Nashville, Tenn.
The actor, singer, and film producer is well known for his slapstick humor and became famous alongside Dean Martin in 1956 after forming the comedy team Martin and Lewis.
He has won several awards for lifetime achievements, including award from the American Comedy Awards, The Golden Camera, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, and The Venice Film Festival. The comedian has also received honors such as the highest Emmy Award- the Governor's Award of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Board of Governors. Additionally, Lewis has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The New Jersey native is perhaps best known for directing 1963'w "The Nutty Professor," which later was remade by Eddie Murphy.
While making comedies, Lewis taught a film directing class at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles for a number of years. Past students include Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.
