Lewis’ writers worth a mention

Regarding: “Remembering Jerry Lewis: He Was Tuned in to Television Too” [Aug. 22]: My heartfelt thanks to Robert Lloyd for mentioning “Colgate Comedy Hour” writers Ed Simmons and Norman Lear in his article about Jerry Lewis and his TV appearances. Mr. Simmons was my father, and Mr. Lear is my cousin. I could not be prouder of both of them, and it’s gratifying to have their many contributions to Mr. Lewis’ early television career acknowledged.

Erica Simmons

Encino

The most remarkable thing about Jerry Lewis was the sheer breadth of his influence. As a slapstick comedian, he passed the torch from Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton to Sid Caesar, whose writers, in turn, included Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Larry Gelbart, Carl Reiner and Woody Allen. Even films like “Air French plane!” (1980) reflect Lewis’ influence. As an all-around performer, he bridged the era from Danny Kaye to Sammy Davis Jr. (who also partnered with Dean Martin), Petula Clark and Julie Andrews. He mastered the persona of the wide-eyed innocent, linking Stan Laurel and Harpo Marx to Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore and Alf. Finally, his philanthropic work was vastly underappreciated — his telethons raised a reported $2 billion to fund research to fight muscular dystrophy. His efforts on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. earned him an honorary Oscar and could have justified a Nobel Prize.

Stephen A. Silver San Francisco