Jerry Lewis Falls Ill Before Concert: 'He Was Pale'

By PopEater Staff Posted Jun 24th 2011 05:13PM

Legendary comic actor and philanthropist Jerry Lewis was too sick to perform a sold-out charity concert in Sydney, Australia on Friday. Lewis had arrived at Rooty Hill RSL to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of Australia, but never got to the stage.

"He couldn't even get out of the car, he was pale and looked extremely unwell," concert venue executive Richard Errington told News.com.au.

Earlier in the day, the 85-year-old Lewis told an interviewer of his "love of Australia and great no-nonsense Aussies," adding, "It's a beautiful country filled with honest beautiful people."

Lewis sought treatment from a doctor, but it's unclear if he has actually been hospitalized.

Errington said he announced to the filled venue that Lewis was not able to perform and was surprised by the reaction he got.

"I told the audience they could have refunds but they rose as one and gave Jerry Lewis a personal standing ovation of support and said his charity could keep their ticket proceeds as a donation," he said. "It was a very touching gesture that was recorded and will be seen by Mr. Lewis when he is well."

The head of the MDF of Australia also released a statement: "We would like to apologise to people who purchased tickets for tonight's show but in unforseen circumstances, Jerry was not well enough to take the stage. Jerry is in Australia solely to raise awareness of and funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, but understandably his health is the number one priority and this takes precedence. We are very appreciative of those people in attendance tonight who nominated to donate the ticket cost to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation rather than request a refund."

Tags: Jerry Lewis

Comments

(34)

Friday 24 June

By kris

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

God love ya Mr. Lewis. BE WELL SIR.

By joan

Jerry Lewis has been ill for years and unfortunately he is I think starting to shut down. He has worked so hard for Muscular Dystrophy for years that I was and am hoping he lives to see a cure for it and other illness the foundation works with and for.
I am of his generation and I really am seeing the people I grew up with leaving on a daily basis. Such is life....

By sharkzback

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

damn Vegemite will getcha every time.

Saturday 25 June

By jojo

Where does this guy get his money? When he divorced his first wife, the mother of his many children, he claimed that he had no money and if menory serves, she had to live on Welfare!

By francesca

Vote down Vote up Report this

what money? he has money?

Boy are you wrong. He supported Patti and his sons with her. She did not live on welfare, the only thing that happened is that she was bitter at him for leaving her. You have never heard of him being an unfit father of his children. Plus he worked hard for his money in order to care his family.

By oz

Mr. Lewis if you feel it is your time to go My Dad will be there waiting on you! He will be sooooo happy you are with him in heaven as we all know that is where you will be!!!!!!!!!

Love ya

By David

Heaven? Hmm, you might be hugely disappointed in the end as concerns all that. As for Lewis, while the man has undoubtedly been a brilliant philantheopist for MD over the years he's also exibited arrogant, beastly and abysmal behavior in other realms, so I'd put the harps away until further notice if I were you in terms of those expectations.

By themeeker

David, you're an illiterate schmuck.

What the heck is a philatheopist?

By butchbuss

hes a great man and a better American

By Jeff

I remember watching the telethon when Dean Martin popped up out of nowhere to suprise him that even brought me to tears. Thx Jerry for what you have done all theses years get well.

By Bill

Jerry if it is your time to go your kids will be waiting for you. Tell them we love them and give Matty a hug for me.

By Susan G.

Just wanted Jerry to know that he is in my prayers for a speedy recovery.

By Walter Bowman

Cheers to the people of Australia!

By Jerry is a Warm Sincere Man

I met Jerry & his wife twice, many years ago while flying. Jerry was the most down to earth celebrity that I ever met as a flight attendant. Very Sincere! I wish Jerry a speedy recovery!!!

By warhawk871

very graceful audience to do such a thing. theyre the true people that night, because mr. lewis was unable to perform, and they graciously gave their ticket funds as a donation rather than ask for a refund. i hope mr. lewis gets well very quickly and hope he didnt fall ill from anything bad,and hopefully he will remember and mention them in sept w/his next telethon, and maybe he will make it up to them when he is better. get well soon jerry.

By Francesca

I loved Jerry Lewis since his days with Dean Martin, I thought he was so funny, he was the best. I hope he gets better.

By ptrcbonn3

what a wonderful man Jerry Lewis is! And what wonderful people the Australians are. God Bless you Mr. Lewis, and we pray for you.

By Stelios928

Here is a man who is giving his all to the cause he believes in. At 85, he has done more than enough yet he is traveling long distances to talk about his kids with the terrible desease.
May God grant him health to continue working for his kids.

By habeeb

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I hope you have a speedy recovery and able to continue the work

Page 1 of 2