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 marsha quinten

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I pray he lives to see a cure for this horrible disease. He fought long and hard and risked his own health to find a cure for the many children who he could not save.

By mebecarl

Typical Jerry Lewis; gonna be a hero till the end, and beyond. Always there with the effort to promote good will for great causes. Those of us who grew up in his era know him as an equal to all the great funny entertainers we were blessed with. Thankfully their movies and shows will entertain us into the future thanks to DVD's. May you bounce back again!

By Jim Smith

Get Well Jerry! You are one of the finest humanitarians this world will ever know. God Bless You and Get Well Soon!

By chuck

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hasn't he been dead for like 17 years?

By rpooh47

With all the good you have done for your kids my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
I have had a lymphoma amd now Parkinson's for 11 yrs now. I love you dearly for what you have done

Love Liz Richards

Saturday 25 June

By judy warren

get well Jerry you made us laugh so much when we were younger

By Anne

Wishing Jerry Lewis a speedy recovery.

By dickhead

In a world full of "ME"...Thank God for jerry....People could learn a lot from this man, shame they only care about themselves. Corporate America and greed..the new America. Hope ya get well sir..

By charleyvldm9

Jerry, why are you travelling ? Are'nt you retired? Please,just take it easy ,you're not well,relax old geyser.

By Pat

We all need to pray that Jerry will have a speedy recovery. He has had some rough times thoughout the years but has brought so much laughter to us all along with all he has done for MS. Let's hope for a cure for MS so Jerry can see that all his hard work over the years has really made a huge difference.
Looking back, when I think of Jerry Lewis, hearing him sing Walk On always made me cry and my favorite movie was The Bell boy.

We all want to see Jerry on Labor Day weekend so Get Better Quickly Jerry!

By linda caira

I watch Jerry very year but the one thing I remember is watching one of the telethon when Dean Martin popped up out of nowhere to suprise him that even brought me to tears.I want to thank you Jerry for what you have done all theses years please get well soon.

By Rosemarie

Get well soon!!! We will pray for your speedy recovery.

Sunday 26 June

By Diana

Jerry is one of most Loving caring People, to give his time and health to finding a cure for MD!!!!! He is a Legend in Hollywood!!! One of the Greats even when him and Dean Martin split!!! Don't put him in the grave just yet...... Get Well Soon Jerry!!!!!

Monday 05 September

By Madeline Cadell

Jerry I started watching your MD telethons and have never missed one. God knows abut your work with MD and you will be blessed and hopefully a cure will be found very soon. I truly hope you are feeling better - you have brought much happiness to a lot of people. I am sending a big hug to you.

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