Lewis still working on Labor Day
Labor Day weekend used to belong to Jerry Lewis and his madcap 21-hour Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.
Lewis hosted the marathon for muscular dystrophy from 1966 until 2010.
With his film “Max Rose” opening in one theater this past weekend before expanding nationwide, Lewis, 90, was working Labor Day once again. But the performer insists he doesn’t miss the telethon with which he was associated.
“I’m 90, what does that tell you?” Lewis asked during an interview for “Max Rose.” “You start slowing down. I haven’t slowed down at all, but that’s what you are supposed to do.”
Lewis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association parted ways over the telethon, with Lewis’ abrupt departure never fully explained. But he still takes pride in the event and the decadesspanning effort, which he says brought in $2.6 billion to battle the disease.
Lewis said he currently is working on a mystery project that he plans to write and direct. He gave no details except that it will be shot in France, and that negotiations are underway. He did confirm that he will not star in it.
“It’s a marvelous idea that we’ve got. And when I put it on paper it’s going to be terrific,” said Lewis. and performed hits including “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Are the Champions” with Queen, releasing over a dozen studio albums between 1973 and 1991. Worley David Allan Coe Roger Waters Kurtz JoAnne Swoosie Jane Curtin