Comedian Jerry Lewis was greeted by a roaring crowd and received a standing ovation before he even cracked a joke.

Lewis, also a film producer, director and philanthropist, spoke to a packed Folino Theater Monday. Lewis spoke about his involvement in film, his charity work and the prevalence of talentless, raunchy films today. In typical Lewis comedic style, he mentioned that this was his audition to become a professor at the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.

“If I knew I would receive that kind of reception I would have come earlier,” Lewis said. “And each time I speak at one of these things, I leave with more information than I came with.”

Lewis was one of the most popular comedians in the black-and-white era, known for his brand of slapstick comedy. His work influenced comedians including Jim Carrey and Eddie Murphy.

Lewis first spoke about his love for film and the perseverance it took for him to find success in the business. His advice was to satisfy the heart and soul instead of searching for fame.

“When you love film enough and when it becomes a part of your being, it does wonderful things to your being,” Lewis said.

Filmmakers should be candid about their emotions, he said. Lewis joked that part of his success could be attributed to giving hugs.

“You cannot be afraid to show your natural feelings and instincts. No matter what the business, no matter who the people are, everyone is emotional,” Lewis said. “So if you hug someone, he may not hug you back, but he will remember you.”

He also feels that the best filmmakers are genuinely good people.

The comedian began The Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon in 1966. Since the Telethon’s inception, Lewis has raised about $2 billion for the fight against muscular dystrophy. The Telethon made $60.5 million this year.

Lewis, who speaks of his work with pride, thinks that most comedic films today will not have as long-lasting success as his films, such as “The Nutty Professor.” Films today frequently rely on raunchy material, which is a way of disguising a lack of talent, he said.

“If you have no talent, drop your pants,” Lewis said.

While many students were unfamiliar with his work, Lewis left some of them inspired.

“He made a really important point on how comedy used to be about life and love and now it’s about sex and death,” said Joseph Carnegie, sophomore film production major. “I am not at all familiar with his work, but I think I may invest in ‘The Nutty Professor.’ People should know that comedy doesn’t have to be dark and lewd.”

Freshman creative production major Brandon Padveen only came to see Lewis because he was required to for a class. Lewis’ wisdom, however, won him over.

“A lot of people were impacted by [Lewis’] celebrity,” Padveen said. “I was impacted, however, because of his film industry experience and because he is such a wise man. I was most impacted by his life lessons.”


Contact this reporter: ariela.kozin@thepantheronline.com