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Jerry Lewis: Saving lives via MDA was honor

Aug. 21, 2011 six:34 AM ET (AP)
By CRISTINA SILVA

Jerry Lewis stated Saturday that his years of service to the Muscular Dystrophy Association aided make him a star, but he didn’t provide facts on his current departure as the group’s national chairman.

In his 1st public appearance considering that the that announcement, Lewis accepted a lifetime achievement award from the Nevada Broadcasters Association, saying that he manufactured his reputation in present company by saving lives.

“I made my reputation in this business caring for what I did, caring for the people that I did it for,” mentioned Lewis, who donned a red foam clown nose at one point throughout his speech in front of politicians and other entertainers.

“Let me inform you that saving lives is a extremely, quite special project in the life of any man who desires to do that, but I have had the joy of … extending my life by what I really feel in my heart,” he said.

Lewis hinted during his short speech that he could not clarify why he is no longer the national chairman of the MDA right after 45 years. He will also no longer host the group’s annual Labor Day weekend telethon.

Lewis stated he was humbled to hear numerous congressmen and Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval describe watching Lewis host the MDA’s annual Labor Day weekend telethon each and every year during their childhoods.

“It was as meaningful tonight as ever,” the 85-year-old mentioned of his charitable function. “And I don’t think I can go into the why of that.”

Lewis appeared briefly at the dinner, getting into just prior to his tribute and leaving the room minutes soon after making his speech. He declined to speak to reporters as he left the event.

In May possibly, Lewis said in a statement issued through the association that he would make his final physical appearance on the telethon this year and sing “You will By no means Walk Alone” throughout a six-hour primetime broadcast scheduled for Sept. 4.

But MDA officials abruptly announced earlier this month that Lewis would no longer be the public face of the Tucson, Ariz.-based association without offering any explanation. When pressed by a reporter at the time about his function with the telethon, Lewis stated: “It really is none of your enterprise.”

Lewis has mentioned he would hold a press conference the day right after the telethon to clarify his plans. “I will have lots to say about what I feel is important. And that is the long term, not the past,” he has said.

The MDA announced major adjustments to its telethon Thursday, like slashing it down from a virtually 22-hour show to six hours of prime time television in an effort to boost audience numbers and raise far more dollars.

The Sept. 4 show will be co-hosted by “American Idol” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, “Entertainment Tonight” anchor Nancy O’Dell, “The Most significant Loser” host Alison Sweeney, and journalist and Television producer Jann Carl.