After the news of MDA champion Jerry Lewis’s passing broke Sunday, scores of admirers took to social media to remember the comedian and philanthropist. Here are just a few of the thousands of tweets sent by some of the entertainment business’ brightest stars — and some of MDA’s staunchest partners, like the International Association of Fire Fighters. Want to add your remembrance to the chorus? Visit our Tributes page, where we are collecting memories for Jerry’s family.
#IAFF General President Schaitberger releases statement on the passing of Hollywood legend and MDA leader Jerry Lewis @MDAnews pic.twitter.com/MO2qqRhc2a
— IAFF (@IAFFNewsDesk) August 22, 2017
The text reads:
IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger statement on the passing of Hollywood legend and MDA leader Jerry Lewis:
“Labor Day weekend was Jerry Lewis’ time to shine. For more than 50 years, he was the leader in the fight against muscular dystrophy, raising billions of dollars for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) to provide comfort for those with neuromuscular diseases and funding research to find a cure. His dedication to this cause is legendary, the fruits of which will be seen for generations to come.
“Jerry Lewis was truly one of a kind, a force who made us laugh and cry while in the service of others. IAFF members — professional fire fighters and paramedics from across the United States and Canada — are proud to have stood with Jerry every Labor Day during the MDA Telethon, with boots in our hands and on street corners everywhere, collecting to find a cure for Jerry’s Kids. And we look to honor his legacy by continuing the work of providing hope for the families battling muscular dystrophy. He will be missed.”
Jerry Lewis was a comic and philanthropic icon. I send love to his family today.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 20, 2017
The depth of his comedy was, & is, truly brilliant. For decades his MDA Telethon raised funds & awareness for muscular dystrophy research…
— Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) August 20, 2017
RIP JerryLewis. As a kid I saw ur tireless efforts to combat muscular dystrophy, showed entertainment & helping people can go hand in hand.
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) August 20, 2017
One of the greatest of all time. A legend. A showman. A comedic icon. A movie star. An activist. A one of a kind. RIP #jerrylewis pic.twitter.com/h3ODZgZjAa
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis' muscular dystrophy telethons were full of emotion and star appearances. https://t.co/OPVxyitPD4
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 20, 2017
From my time w @etnow to my many yrs on his @MDAnews Labor Day telethons we shared laughs, tears, an immense love for others #RIPJerryLewis
— Jann Carl (@jannsmalltown) August 20, 2017
Hollywood pays tribute to comedic icon #JerryLewis: "One of the greatest of all time" https://t.co/fbL6LsiQXh pic.twitter.com/miqOaNVMdb
— Variety (@Variety) August 21, 2017
Jerry Lewis! Oy! Another comic legend gone. What an amazing talent and philanthropist. A long, well lived life!#RIPJerryLewis
— Jon Lovitz (@realjonlovitz) August 20, 2017
#RIPJerryLewis. It was a treat to spend a few Labor Days with you. #MDA pic.twitter.com/YoGO2O460D
— Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis was a genius comedian, actor, director, inventor, humanitarian and, as a Las Vegan, what I miss most..https://t.co/R0uLkPOwyU
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis passed today,millions around the world loved him,millions of kids he helped w/his telethons. R.I.P. &condolences 2 his family
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) August 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/NancySinatra/status/899359646393131008
So saddened to learn of the passing of Jerry Lewis, a true comic icon. In Boston 1947 I roared at his and Dean's first ever performance
— carl reiner (@carlreiner) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis just died. When I met him, I feel apart, just sobbed. I guess it's time for that again.
— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis. A comedy staple of my childhood. We made so many jokes about him on #Blossom. All in good humor! RIP pic.twitter.com/NdagDsgKX7
— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim) August 21, 2017
Jerry Lewis was an angel to me. Loved him & will never forget what he did for me during one of the worst times in my life. RIP, Love Roe pic.twitter.com/0OoQV4yaae
— Rose Marie-Official (@RoseMarie4Real) August 20, 2017
It was incredible knowing & laughing with the Amazing Jerry Lewis! He'll keep'em laffin in the ever after!
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) August 20, 2017
We have lost a great comedian and even greater heart. Thank you for the laughs and the feels, Jerry Lewis. https://t.co/vdYCfd7atJ
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 20, 2017
How Jerry Lewis’ Raised $2.6 Billion for Charity with His Famous Muscular Dystrophy Telethons https://t.co/t2l9ko5y4O
— People (@people) August 20, 2017
That fool was no dummy. Jerry Lewis was an undeniable genius an unfathomable blessing, comedy's absolute! I am because he was! ;^D pic.twitter.com/3Zdq9xhXlE
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) August 20, 2017
Our thoughts are with Jerry Lewis' family today as we remember the extraordinary life of one of our greatest entertainers and humanitarians pic.twitter.com/juPNERv5XF
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) August 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/gloriagaynor/status/899539060661796864
http://twitter.com/jodywatley/statuses/899376684780077056
Our family used to hold fairs on Labor Day weekend to raise $$ for the MDA Telethon because we loved #JerryLewis. RIP. pic.twitter.com/gLkdXj5BNa
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) August 20, 2017
The depth of his comedy was, & is, truly brilliant. For decades his MDA Telethon raised funds & awareness for muscular dystrophy research…
— Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) August 20, 2017
#JerryLewis' work w/#MDA helped untold millions of kids-like Christopher Rush! Have U seen his inspirational story? https://t.co/0uLwJ1IupO pic.twitter.com/SVQjty5Qer
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) August 21, 2017
RIP Jerry Lewis. Thank you for your service to patients with ALS & MD and for enabling the @MDAnews to partner with @ALSTDI and @AugieNieto
— Jamie Heywood (@jamie_heywood) August 22, 2017
Gary Chartrand, Executive Chairman, pictured with Jerry Lewis in 2005, during the MDA telethon. Jerry Lewis will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/QSGp4Ydusg
— Acosta (@AcostaSales) August 21, 2017
We're deeply saddened by the death of Jerry Lewis. Great friend to #firefighters and great humanitarian @MDANews https://t.co/JQJjRFUfZI
— IAFF (@IAFFNewsDesk) August 21, 2017
Saddened by the passing of Jerry Lewis: supporter of MDA. His devotion helped raise $2.6 bil. Pictured: ERA® affiliates & Lewis for @MDAnews pic.twitter.com/AEeP7RHGYA
— ERA Real Estate (@ASmarterERA) August 21, 2017
Jerry Lewis. You were blessed, and blessed us with the perfect combination of comedy and Tragedy. A perfect clown who could do it all. Rest
— Goldie Hawn (@goldiehawn) August 20, 2017
