Celebrities pay their respects in tweets

When news broke that Lewis had died, stars took to Twitter to remember the comedian, director, actor and philanthropist. “I sincerely hope his afterlife is a warm, peaceful... haven,” tweeted Patton Oswalt.

William Shatner shared his condolences and said the world is “a lot less funnier today” without Lewis.

Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller said he sobbed when he first met Lewis, “the real, no irony, king of comedy... I guess it’s time for that again.”

Jerry Lewis will “keep’em laffin in the ever after!” wrote Samuel L. Jackson.

“It was a treat to spend a few Labor Days with you,” tweeted

Tom Bergeron. Leonard Maltin called Lewis “my comedy hero when I was growing up.” Richard Lewis (who is not related to Lewis) said, “I cherish how this genius brought comfort to me with laughter and then support and friendship. Rip Jerry.” Losing both “Dick Gregory & Jerry Lewis (this weekend) is a gain 4 heaven, but big loss for comedy,” said Whoopi Goldberg.

Jimmy Kimmel shared a clip of Lewis singing at an MDA telethon and called him a “genius comedian, actor, director, inventor (and) humanitarian.”

Kevin Smith declared it “a bad week for classic comedy” with the loss of Jerry Lewis and Dick Gregory.

Jamie Lee Curtis said Lewis “made me and many laugh.”