The Humor Mill August 2017 | Page 28

Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis, whose irrepressible zaniness and frantic creativity vaulted him to stardom as a comic movie star who wielded unparalleled green-light power at Paramount in the 1960s, passed away on August 20th. He was 91. As you may already know, Lewis, who teamed with Dean Martin in the 1950s as one of the most successful tandems in the history of show business, at his home in Las Vegas. Lewis’ health ailments over the years included open-heart surgery in 1983, surgery for prostate cancer in 1992, treatment for his dependence on prescription drugs in 2003, a heart attack in 2006 and a long bout with pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease for which he took Prednisone, causing his face and body to balloon. At the peak of their popularity, Martin & Lewis ruled nightclubs, radio and then the box office with their breezy yet physical comedy act, reigning as the top draw at theaters from 1950-56. After an especially acrimonious break-up with his partner, Lewis remained as the No. 1 movie draw through the mid-1960s on the strength of such classics as The Bellboy (1960) and The Nutty Professor (1963). As Paramount’s biggest star, he had the creative freedom to make the moves he wanted to make. When Lewis was 18, he met singer Patti Palmer, and they wed 10 days later. During their marriage, which lasted from 1944-82, they had five sons and adopted another child. His youngest, Joseph, became a drug addict and committed suicide in 2009 at age 45. Lewis married his second wife, SanDee Pitnick, in 1983. They adopted a daughter, Danielle. Leslie Jones Malcolm Lee Tiffany Haddish 28 Kevin Hart On the heels of the comedy Girls Trip crossing $100 million at the domestic box office, its breakout star Tiffany Haddish has joined the cast of Universal's comedy Night School starring Kevin Hart. The project, from Hartbeat Productions and Will Packer Productions, follows a group of misfits who are forced to attend adult classes in the long-shot chance they’ll pass the GED exam. The new project will see Haddish reunite with Universal, Girls Trip director Malcolm D. Lee and producer Will Packer. Packer will produce for his Will Packer Productions alongside Hart, who will produce via Hartbeat Productions. James Lopez will executive produce. The film is set for a Sept. 28, 2018, release. Based on a story by Hart, Night School was written by Hart, Harry Ratchford, Joey Wells and Matt Kellard, with additional script work by Nick Stoller. Haddish will next be seen in the upcoming TBS series The Last O.G. starring opposite Tracy Morgan.