King of Comedy - Abridged

Summary

A revealing biography of comic legend Jerry Lewis.

Jerry Lewis (1926-2017) achieved superstardom in the 1950s and 1960s with such films as The Caddy, The Bellboy, and The Nutty Professor. Later, Lewis was almost as well known for his dedication to the cause of muscular dystrophy and his annual Labor Day telethon, which he hosted for more than four decades.

In King of Comedy, Shawn Levy offers a provocative portrait of the influential comedian, analyzing the complex, sometimes disturbing world of Lewis— from his rise to fame and philanthropic work to the dark side of his career and personal life.

Listener discretion is advised. Contains content that some listeners might find disturbing.