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125 Jerry Lewis Quotes For Perfect Laughter Therapy

Famous As: Comedian, Actor and One of the Most Significant American Cultural Figures of All Time
Born On: March 16, 1926
Died On: August 20, 2017
Born In: Newark, New Jersey, United States
Died At Age: 91
Jerry Lewis was a celebrated American comedian, humanitarian, actor, screenwriter, singer, director and producer. He was renowned as  ‘King of Comedy’ and best-known for his slapstick humor on television, stage, radio and movies. He became a popular star in motion pictures, musicals, television shows, album recordings, nightclubs and concerts. He bagged in various reputed awards for lifetime achievements during his long career including ‘Academy of Motion Picture Art And Sciences’, ‘American Comedy Awards’, ‘Venice Film Festival’ and ‘Los Angeles Film Critics Association’. He also received two stars on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’. Following is a compilation of notable, popular and thought-provoking quotes and sayings by the acclaimed artist which has been extracted from his performances, writings, songs, lyrics, scripts, plays, gigs, thoughts, works, public utterances and life. Let us browse through the quotes and thoughts by Jerry Lewis that are sure to tickle your funny bones.
I've had great success being a total idiot.

I've had great success being a total idiot.

Jerry Lewis
You can ask me anything you want. That doesn't mean I'm going to answer you.

You can ask me anything you want. That doesn't mean I'm going to answer you.

Jerry Lewis
We're leaving the House to people who either were born with a silver spoon in their mouth... or couldn't get better jobs in the first place.

We're leaving the House to people who either were born with a silver spoon in their mouth... or couldn't get better jobs in the first place.

Jerry Lewis
A woman doing comedy doesn't offend me, but sets me back a bit. I, as a viewer, have trouble with it. I think of her as a producing machine that brings babies in the world.

A woman doing comedy doesn't offend me, but sets me back a bit. I, as a viewer, have trouble with it. I think of her as a producing machine that brings babies in the world.

Jerry Lewis
I need the applause.

I need the applause.

Jerry Lewis

The young man who's had the Guggenheim fortune behind him all his life - he can hire all the authorities on the subject to teach him how to do a monologue, but he's never going to have the right stuff to pull it off. If he doesn't walk out onstage needing to walk out there, he doesn't have a dream of doing well.

Jerry Lewis

I tell young comics, 'Do you want this badly enough? It's there. But you have to go get it. And if you think I'm going to give you the key to the lock of that door, there is no key, there is no lock, and there is no door.'

Jerry Lewis

From 1936 on, I have taken more falls than any other 20 comedians put together. From the time I was 21, I've taken them on everything from clay courts to cement to wood floors, coming off pianos, going out a two-story window, landing on Dean, falling into the rough. You do that and you're gonna have problems.

Jerry Lewis
I never tell an audience what they can expect. I never have and I never will. I'm an entertainer for 75 years.

I never tell an audience what they can expect. I never have and I never will. I'm an entertainer for 75 years.

Jerry Lewis
When I hit around 65, 66, I started to feel tremendous worth and incredible personal esteem. I was becoming very cognisant of my contribution to the American spirit of helping your fellow man and all of the good stuff.

When I hit around 65, 66, I started to feel tremendous worth and incredible personal esteem. I was becoming very cognisant of my contribution to the American spirit of helping your fellow man and all of the good stuff.

Jerry Lewis
Don't you understand how dramatic it is to be a comic? To be a fool, to get people to laugh at this show-off? Milton Berle could take Laurence Olivier and stick him under the table if he wanted to. And so could I.

Don't you understand how dramatic it is to be a comic? To be a fool, to get people to laugh at this show-off? Milton Berle could take Laurence Olivier and stick him under the table if he wanted to. And so could I.

Jerry Lewis
If you're an old pro, you know how well you're doing when you're doing it, and your inner government spanks you if you're not doing well.

If you're an old pro, you know how well you're doing when you're doing it, and your inner government spanks you if you're not doing well.

Jerry Lewis

I really am opinionated, but not for long. I have found myself coming off of what I think of something because the guy I'm talking to makes better sense than I am. I have so many points of view, I can't keep track of 'em, because I talk to too many people... I'm not so opinionated that I won't budge.

Jerry Lewis
I've had the greatest respect for my work in this country by Americans. Critics have no brains.

I've had the greatest respect for my work in this country by Americans. Critics have no brains.

Jerry Lewis

People think I'm against critics because they are negative to my work. That's not what bothers me. What bothers me is they didn't see the work. I have seen critics print stuff about stuff I cut out of the film before we ran it. So don't tell me about critics.

Jerry Lewis
I never got a formal education. So my intellect is my common sense. I don't have anything else going for me. And my common sense opens the door to instinct.

I never got a formal education. So my intellect is my common sense. I don't have anything else going for me. And my common sense opens the door to instinct.

Jerry Lewis
My family was as absolute as the work.Family was first always.

My family was as absolute as the work.Family was first always.

Jerry Lewis
When you're doing a different kind of film, you have to bring a different kind of attitude; you have to bring a different kind of concentration.

When you're doing a different kind of film, you have to bring a different kind of attitude; you have to bring a different kind of concentration.

Jerry Lewis
When I'm working, I stay in ICU in any hospital that will get me a bed.

When I'm working, I stay in ICU in any hospital that will get me a bed.

Jerry Lewis
I never tell an audience what they can expect. I never have, and I never will.

I never tell an audience what they can expect. I never have, and I never will.

Jerry Lewis

I'm really not thick-skinned - my wife will tell you that I take sunsets personally - but I know that I've got the belly for whatever comes down the pike. I think it's tenacity. You've been there before, and you just have to recall, 'How did I handle that one?'

Jerry Lewis
Turning 90 is not for sissies.

Turning 90 is not for sissies.

Jerry Lewis
You would not believe some of the scripts I have seen. I have read something like 160 that I've rejected, and I keep them all, for posterity.

You would not believe some of the scripts I have seen. I have read something like 160 that I've rejected, and I keep them all, for posterity.

Jerry Lewis

The film I did with Bobby De Niro, 'The King of Comedy' - an awful lot came to me out of that movie because De Niro never allowed me any room to be crazy. If I had tried to play it the way I would normally play it and get hysterical, Bobby would punch me.

Jerry Lewis
I'm an unusual man. I know that.

I'm an unusual man. I know that.

Jerry Lewis
I don't talk about anything negative.

I don't talk about anything negative.

Jerry Lewis
When I arrived in Las Vegas, I felt I was embraced by it.

When I arrived in Las Vegas, I felt I was embraced by it.

Jerry Lewis
Billy Crystal, Steve Martin do wonderful things.

Billy Crystal, Steve Martin do wonderful things.

Jerry Lewis
I was once six feet tall, but at 85, I'm now five feet four.

I was once six feet tall, but at 85, I'm now five feet four.

Jerry Lewis
I almost resent being Charley Moviestar. Yeah, I'm grateful. But it takes me away from my kids.

I almost resent being Charley Moviestar. Yeah, I'm grateful. But it takes me away from my kids.

Jerry Lewis
An only child, I always wanted a large hug-house.

An only child, I always wanted a large hug-house.

Jerry Lewis
Getting attention is my business. My whole life's predicated on, 'Hey, look at me!'

Getting attention is my business. My whole life's predicated on, 'Hey, look at me!'

Jerry Lewis
Every day is another something that comes along.

Every day is another something that comes along.

Jerry Lewis
I think it has helped that I am so curious about what has been happening to me and that I have enjoyed watching the changes through my life, you know? I didn't know what was going to happen to me next.

I think it has helped that I am so curious about what has been happening to me and that I have enjoyed watching the changes through my life, you know? I didn't know what was going to happen to me next.

Jerry Lewis
My dad was a stickler for teaching me the pratfall. There is something magical about taking a good fall, and when it works, when you get that laugh, there's no better feeling in the world.

My dad was a stickler for teaching me the pratfall. There is something magical about taking a good fall, and when it works, when you get that laugh, there's no better feeling in the world.

Jerry Lewis
I feel I have been a part of some very wonderful films, and I have had it in mind when I was on the set, every day, that what I am doing has meaning.

I feel I have been a part of some very wonderful films, and I have had it in mind when I was on the set, every day, that what I am doing has meaning.

Jerry Lewis
When I get an idea, I start to write like I was electrically motivated.

When I get an idea, I start to write like I was electrically motivated.

Jerry Lewis
I like to watch all those shows that shouldn't be on the air - reality shows.

I like to watch all those shows that shouldn't be on the air - reality shows.

Jerry Lewis
I want to know why the government of this country can't take care of the people who are keeping us safe?

I want to know why the government of this country can't take care of the people who are keeping us safe?

Jerry Lewis
I don't like any female comedians.

I don't like any female comedians.

Jerry Lewis
My God, the stage is the only place I know where to go.

My God, the stage is the only place I know where to go.

Jerry Lewis

When you get a question like, 'Did you like meeting Her Majesty?' 'No, I thought she was a slob.' I mean, what are you going to say... The mischief comes into me when I'm doing a Q&A, I'm 9 years old again. I don't get mad. I do get offended.

Jerry Lewis
I believe when you go out there, you have a responsibility to deliver. I have old-fashioned thinking when I'm out there.

I believe when you go out there, you have a responsibility to deliver. I have old-fashioned thinking when I'm out there.

Jerry Lewis
Seeing a woman project the kind of aggression that you have to project as a comic just rubs me wrong.

Seeing a woman project the kind of aggression that you have to project as a comic just rubs me wrong.

Jerry Lewis
I started as a writer. I had the dumb act, but I made my living from writing.

I started as a writer. I had the dumb act, but I made my living from writing.

Jerry Lewis
When you're 89, dementia develops. I mean, I've told a story onstage, and I'm telling it with a full heart, and I forgot the damn punch line.

When you're 89, dementia develops. I mean, I've told a story onstage, and I'm telling it with a full heart, and I forgot the damn punch line.

Jerry Lewis
If I was performing, I had no pain. But you can't stay on stage 24 hours a day.

If I was performing, I had no pain. But you can't stay on stage 24 hours a day.

Jerry Lewis
When you are debilitated, and you're very depressed, and you believe there's no hope, you cannot get a better potpourri of down.

When you are debilitated, and you're very depressed, and you believe there's no hope, you cannot get a better potpourri of down.

Jerry Lewis
My ego and my vanities have nothing to do with comedy.

My ego and my vanities have nothing to do with comedy.

Jerry Lewis
I will not say anything negative about the president of the United States. I don't do that. And I don't allow my children to do that.

I will not say anything negative about the president of the United States. I don't do that. And I don't allow my children to do that.

Jerry Lewis
The beauty of love, as far as I'm concerned, is it makes you better. It makes you stronger. It gives you direction. It gives you understanding of what life is and what we've been given.

The beauty of love, as far as I'm concerned, is it makes you better. It makes you stronger. It gives you direction. It gives you understanding of what life is and what we've been given.

Jerry Lewis
Most performers are used to the highs and the lows. If you can let a low stop you, that would be a sad commentary.

Most performers are used to the highs and the lows. If you can let a low stop you, that would be a sad commentary.

Jerry Lewis
For a comic to put a public performance in jeopardy for a snickering little laugh - no, no, no, I don't believe in it.

For a comic to put a public performance in jeopardy for a snickering little laugh - no, no, no, I don't believe in it.

Jerry Lewis
There's nothing more dramatic than the comedy I've done. Because the comedy I've done is to get to the audience, get them to feel it, or they won't laugh.

There's nothing more dramatic than the comedy I've done. Because the comedy I've done is to get to the audience, get them to feel it, or they won't laugh.

Jerry Lewis
You want to know why Barbra Streisand is so difficult? Because she's brilliant. She's a brilliant entertainer, she's a brilliant lady, and she's a wonderful human being, and the community doesn't like it.

You want to know why Barbra Streisand is so difficult? Because she's brilliant. She's a brilliant entertainer, she's a brilliant lady, and she's a wonderful human being, and the community doesn't like it.

Jerry Lewis
You see, the people that have a point of view and have an opinion and have some intellect are dangerous in the film community - they're dangerous.

You see, the people that have a point of view and have an opinion and have some intellect are dangerous in the film community - they're dangerous.

Jerry Lewis
I think so much in time. I always have. Even at 20, I thought in terms of time, that I don't have a lot of time left. And I want to do so many things.

I think so much in time. I always have. Even at 20, I thought in terms of time, that I don't have a lot of time left. And I want to do so many things.

Jerry Lewis
Commercial television has underestimated the intelligence of the public.

Commercial television has underestimated the intelligence of the public.

Jerry Lewis
The people at Columbia Pictures have been great, but I had to tell them, 'Please don't be nice to me. Just pay me.'

The people at Columbia Pictures have been great, but I had to tell them, 'Please don't be nice to me. Just pay me.'

Jerry Lewis
What happens at 90 is that I don't walk so good, my eyes are going, I can't hear well, and I'm getting all of the 90s residuals.

What happens at 90 is that I don't walk so good, my eyes are going, I can't hear well, and I'm getting all of the 90s residuals.

Jerry Lewis
There's something wonderful about taking a tag off a pair of socks, off a shirt, off a jacket. I really think that it has to do with my wanting to give myself all the perks that there are. It's part of my psychosis.

There's something wonderful about taking a tag off a pair of socks, off a shirt, off a jacket. I really think that it has to do with my wanting to give myself all the perks that there are. It's part of my psychosis.

Jerry Lewis
Most people are embarrassed to admit there's another human being that's in control of them, that your heart beats three times as fast because you've given yourself to someone else.

Most people are embarrassed to admit there's another human being that's in control of them, that your heart beats three times as fast because you've given yourself to someone else.

Jerry Lewis
Red is uplifting.

Red is uplifting.

Jerry Lewis
I go where the action is.

I go where the action is.

Jerry Lewis
I would not want to do one-episode television - that's just a brief encounter with your audience. The arc takes the actor into an arena where he can really stretch.

I would not want to do one-episode television - that's just a brief encounter with your audience. The arc takes the actor into an arena where he can really stretch.

Jerry Lewis
I'm shocked to be saying this, but as a child, I never went to a circus. It cost too much.

I'm shocked to be saying this, but as a child, I never went to a circus. It cost too much.

Jerry Lewis
The greatest thing I can remember in my whole career was the Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey clowns asking me to appear with them at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles in 1965.

The greatest thing I can remember in my whole career was the Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey clowns asking me to appear with them at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles in 1965.

Jerry Lewis
When I was young, I wasn't disciplined at all.

When I was young, I wasn't disciplined at all.

Jerry Lewis
Going unnoticed has never been my strong suit.

Going unnoticed has never been my strong suit.

Jerry Lewis
I've never been more than 9 years old.

I've never been more than 9 years old.

Jerry Lewis
I dream in color.

I dream in color.

Jerry Lewis
I almost get annoyed at the fact that I'm not going to use all that I got.

I almost get annoyed at the fact that I'm not going to use all that I got.

Jerry Lewis
I got the 'Max Rose' script, and I fell in love with it. It just hit me. It was something that needed to be made.

I got the 'Max Rose' script, and I fell in love with it. It just hit me. It was something that needed to be made.

Jerry Lewis
To ask a pratfall comedian, a dishes-in-the-face comic like me, to lay back and bring none of that stuff to the script because it doesn't call for it? That's tough.

To ask a pratfall comedian, a dishes-in-the-face comic like me, to lay back and bring none of that stuff to the script because it doesn't call for it? That's tough.

Jerry Lewis
The connection between pathos and broad comedy is very tight. But you do far more work in a comedy scene than you do in a straight scene. It's much harder.

The connection between pathos and broad comedy is very tight. But you do far more work in a comedy scene than you do in a straight scene. It's much harder.

Jerry Lewis
I learned from my dad that when you walk in front of an audience, they are the kings and queens, and you're but the jester.

I learned from my dad that when you walk in front of an audience, they are the kings and queens, and you're but the jester.

Jerry Lewis
I can't stand to ask anyone, 'How was that?'

I can't stand to ask anyone, 'How was that?'

Jerry Lewis
Interviews are vital, but you cannot allow an interviewer to take your life and disturb it.

Interviews are vital, but you cannot allow an interviewer to take your life and disturb it.

Jerry Lewis
You can't hold comedy back, because it needs to be exposed.

You can't hold comedy back, because it needs to be exposed.

Jerry Lewis
I make sure that I take good care of me.

I make sure that I take good care of me.

Jerry Lewis
What's happened at 85 is I've lost my appetite. I used to be a little hog when I was young. But now I really don't seem to need it.

What's happened at 85 is I've lost my appetite. I used to be a little hog when I was young. But now I really don't seem to need it.

Jerry Lewis
Being 90 is not simple, but it's interesting, very interesting. Before I was 90, I could walk, I could see well, I could hear terrific, and now, I can't hear or see or walk.

Being 90 is not simple, but it's interesting, very interesting. Before I was 90, I could walk, I could see well, I could hear terrific, and now, I can't hear or see or walk.

Jerry Lewis
Love is what makes you dream, and love is what makes you want to get up in the morning. Love is something that you want to be a part of because it makes you better.

Love is what makes you dream, and love is what makes you want to get up in the morning. Love is something that you want to be a part of because it makes you better.

Jerry Lewis
I never stop working.

I never stop working.

Jerry Lewis
I'm always thinking about future projects and at the same time trying to finish the project you're in the middle off.

I'm always thinking about future projects and at the same time trying to finish the project you're in the middle off.

Jerry Lewis
My Judaism has always been a great pride with me.

My Judaism has always been a great pride with me.

Jerry Lewis

I have a loyalty that runs in my bloodstream, when I lock into someone or something, you can't get me away from it because I commit that thoroughly. That's in friendship, that's a deal, that's a commitment. Don't give me paper - I can get the same lawyer who drew it up to break it. But if you shake my hand, that's for life.

Jerry Lewis
Adrenaline is wonderful. It covers pain. It covers dementia. It covers everything.

Adrenaline is wonderful. It covers pain. It covers dementia. It covers everything.

Jerry Lewis
Adrenaline is so strong that none of us understand it.

Adrenaline is so strong that none of us understand it.

Jerry Lewis
It'll keep you alive for another 10 years if you get yourself a laugh once a day: either provoke it, or look around in the wildest laboratory in the world, the public.

It'll keep you alive for another 10 years if you get yourself a laugh once a day: either provoke it, or look around in the wildest laboratory in the world, the public.

Jerry Lewis
I say to everybody, love is what wakes you up in the morning, love is what makes you walk, and love is what makes you hope.

I say to everybody, love is what wakes you up in the morning, love is what makes you walk, and love is what makes you hope.

Jerry Lewis
Nothing can stop anyone who has a love and passion about their work.

Nothing can stop anyone who has a love and passion about their work.

Jerry Lewis
I'm really, basically, nine, and I've always been that. I've never, ever allowed the child within me to die.

I'm really, basically, nine, and I've always been that. I've never, ever allowed the child within me to die.

Jerry Lewis
I am probably the most selfish man you will ever meet in your life. No one gets the satisfaction or the joy that I get out of seeing kids realize there is hope.

I am probably the most selfish man you will ever meet in your life. No one gets the satisfaction or the joy that I get out of seeing kids realize there is hope.

Jerry Lewis

A lot of people resent that I've been in someone's life for 50 years. Why shouldn't people have an affection for me and what I've done? Didn't I have to be genuine for them to buy into what I did? There are children who grow up today who will not have that when they're 55 years old. With whom will they have it? Name an example for me.

Jerry Lewis
God hadn't made me handsome, but he'd given me something, I always felt: funny bones.

God hadn't made me handsome, but he'd given me something, I always felt: funny bones.

Jerry Lewis
You can't be faulted for being selfish if you're going to get better because of it.

You can't be faulted for being selfish if you're going to get better because of it.

Jerry Lewis

Postwar America was a very buttoned-up nation. Radio shows were run by censors, Presidents wore hats, ladies wore girdles. We came straight out of the blue - nobody was expecting anything like Martin and Lewis. A sexy guy and a monkey is how some people saw us.

Jerry Lewis

I think the cartoons that they're children are watching, particularly 'The Simpsons,' they're OK. I think that the adult audience is making much too much of the danger that they imply. That's not the case. The danger for children today, honey, is the news. Keep them away from news on television.

Jerry Lewis
That never stops. That's what drives you: the joy and excitement of doing what you love.

That never stops. That's what drives you: the joy and excitement of doing what you love.

Jerry Lewis
You think about getting old, but when you get there, it's not what you thought it would be.

You think about getting old, but when you get there, it's not what you thought it would be.

Jerry Lewis
I don't want to be remembered. I want the nice words when I can hear them.

I don't want to be remembered. I want the nice words when I can hear them.

Jerry Lewis