Jerry Lewis (photo) said Saturday that his years of service to the Muscular Dystrophy Association helped make him a star, but he didn’t provide details on his recent departure as the group’s national chairman.
In his first public appearance since the announcement, Lewis accepted a lifetime achievement award from the Nevada Broadcasters Association, saying he made his reputation in show business by saving lives.
“I made my reputation in this business caring for what I did, caring for the people that I did it for,” said Lewis, 85, who donned a red foam clown nose at one point during his speech in front of politicians and other entertainers. “Let me tell you that saving lives is a very, very special project in the life of any man who wants to do that, but I have had the joy of … extending my life by what I feel in my heart,” he said.
Lewis hinted during his brief speech that he could not explain why he is no longer the national chairman of the MDA after 45 years. He will also no longer host the group’s annual Labor Day weekend telethon.
Lewis said he was humbled to hear several congressmen and Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval describe watching Lewis host the MDA’s annual Labor Day weekend telethon every year throughout their childhoods.
Lewis appeared briefly at the dinner, entering just before his tribute and leaving the room minutes after making his speech. He declined to speak to reporters as he left the event.
In May, Lewis said in a statement that he would make his final appearance on the telethon this year during a six-hour primetime broadcast scheduled for Sept. 4. But MDA officials announced earlier this month that Lewis would no longer be the public face of the Tucson, Ariz.-based association.