King of Comedy: The Life and Art of Jerry Lewis

One of the best biographies I have read.

We all grew up watching Martin & Lewis movies and Jerry's solo projects, but there were those National Enquirer stories in the 1970's about Jerry being nasty to old people. Then a good friend of mine told me about when he worked at the Vegas Aladdin and saw Jerry Lewis completely lose his mind on a group of little children who'd talked their way backstage during a telethon to give him a donation. Jerry screamed every type of profanity at them. (A humiliated Chad Everrett hustled the kids to his limo for a ride home and my friend said he trembled in rage to keep from throttling Jerry).When I saw Jerry on stage in the 1990's, I was stunned by the amount of swearing he did--even as I've seen him in interviews swear he never cusses on stage!Obviously, any honest account of Jerry Lewis will have to try to reconcile the sweet, clumsy "nine-year-old" clown and the rampaging, egocentric monster. Shawn Levy has done that and I admire his book for not going too far one way or the other. I picked up the book to read about the unseen film, THE DAY THE CLOWN CRIED, and for any insight into the Martin & Lewis split (I'd also read Nick Tosches' DINO), and I'm glad I did.For the people (including Jerry himself) who would dismiss this book as a "hatchet job," you only have to look at Jerry's behavior and quotes himself to see both sides of him: Jerry not only disowned one of his sons for talking to the Enquirer, he completely wrote him out of every biography of him ("Love hard, hate hard"); Jerry's dismissal of all women comics as "unfunny" and "predominately here to have children"; his recent interview with Bill O'Reilly where he declares that JFK never had an affair with Marilyn Monroe--because Jerry did! (Even O'Reilly, a man not known to be caught unawares, blinked, speechless).Jerry's wretched behavior, whether drug-induced or simply chosen, can't diminish his contribution to entertainment, only diminish one's opinion of him as a human being. And I don't think Jerry cares what you think about him. I can just see him as Buddy Love (a creation mistaken for Dean when it was really Jerry), lighting up a smoke and saying, "I've done it all, baby."

Whether you love Jerry Lewis or hate him, you won't be able to stop reading this definative biography that corrects years and years of misinformation and paints a brutally honest picture of the entertainer. It's certainly a warts-and-all bio, filled with unflattering information, but its leveled with a real appreciation for Lewis's work as a comedian, actor and director. This biography gets beneath the skin and gives you a real insight to Lewis. He's not a monster but he's also not someone you'd want to spend a lot of time with off the pages of this excellent biography.

I have read several books about Jerry Lewis but I believe that Shawn Levy has produced the most in-depth work about Lewis. He is able to provide a fluid explanation to many unanswered questions about the career of Jerry Lewis. He provides a detailed structured background into the creation, rise and fall of Martin and Lewis, which allows the reader to grasp why the act ruptured at the height of its success. Levy is the first writer to really provide concrete answers about the breakup, since both Martin and Lewis have always talked around the issue.Levy also provides a back stage look at the solo career of Jerry Lewis allowing the reader to see why Lewis was never able to build an enduring successful career in the movies. Actually, the best summary of the comedy of Jerry Lewis is on page 270, when Levy lifts quotes from a 1960s article written by comic writer, Al Capp. Capp's remarks totally sumed up why Lewis was brilliant with Dean Martin and such a flop in solo comedy roles. If you choose not to read the book, read page 270.Though, I do not like the comedy of Jerry Lewis, I have always been impressed by personal interviews where it becomes apparent that Lewis is a gracious person, who has always credited Martin for the success of their act, whether he totally believes it or not.Jerry Lewis has always been more impressive to me when he performed or acted as an adult rather than a child. Personally, Lewis did his best work in the movie "King of Comedy" and the "Wise Guy" television series, which were dramatic roles.

Shawn Levy has written a fascinating and objective critical biography of Jerry Lewis - an entertainment legend whose flaws and virtues cannot be denied. Levy tried to collaborate with Lewis on "King of Comedy," but found himself cut off by Jerry's volatility and distrust. It's easy to see why, since Lewis would prefer to emphasize the positive aspects of his life and work. Nevertheless, Levy delivers a balanced account of Jerry's enduring show-biz career and monstrous personal life - Buddy Love in the flesh. Whether you like or loathe Lewis, "King of Comedy" remains a compelling study of a multi-faceted artist unable to control his demons. Levy rightfully acknowledges Jerry Lewis' comic legacy and cinematic influence, but never lets the reader forget the pain and turmoil that lies within.

I love biographies that meet three criteria: 1)about an interesting person, 2)well researched, 3) well written. Shawn Levy has met all three in this compelling look at one of America's funniest and most controversial entertainers. Levy dug deep, talked to the right people, found the right materials, and put it together in a highly-readable and informative book. He has a hip, fast-moving, smart and fluid style of writing. I still think Jerry Lewis is very funny; now I know why he's also disliked by many people, and what drives him. I have new respect for Lewis. I also look forward to more books from Levy.