The world is reeling after news of Jerry Lewis’ death.
Stars like Josh Gad, George Takei, Dane Cook and more have penned moving tributes to the late comedian just moments after news of Lewis’ death broke.
Cook remembered his fellow comedian in a series of tweets, calling Lewis his “mentor and friend.”
“A visionary. A pioneer in all forms of entertainment. A charitable human. A father,” he wrote. Cook added: “He meant the world to me& I will forever cherish the time I got to spend with him & his family. At a dark time in my life he brought me joy.”
Always funny. Always helpful. Always honest. I will miss you Jerry Lewis. The world has lost a true innovator & icon. pic.twitter.com/mJzLbh0VFd
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis loomed large in my family. Many movies with my mom & he made home movies with Janet and Tony. He made me and many laugh. #rip pic.twitter.com/4LbEbc9FCT
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) August 20, 2017
We will miss Jerry so much. I can’t believe I got to meet him and spend time with him. pic.twitter.com/wpHtjuWwmp
— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) August 20, 2017
Rose Marie, a show business legend herself, shared a sweet photo of herself and Lewis — with the actor making a silly face.
“Jerry Lewis was an angel to me. Loved him & will never forget what he did for me during one of the worst times in my life. RIP, Love Roe,” the 94-year-old tweeted.
Jerry Lewis has passed on. I sincerely hope his afterlife is a warm, peaceful...
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) August 20, 2017
...haven.
Jerry Lewis was an angel to me. Loved him & will never forget what he did for me during one of the worst times in my life. RIP, Love Roe pic.twitter.com/0OoQV4yaae
— Rose Marie-Official (@RoseMarie4Real) August 20, 2017
#RIP #JerryLewis
— Michael Kelly (@michaeljkellyjr) August 20, 2017
One of the best meals I ever had was with you at your restaurant in Vegas
Thank you for your generosity and life of laughs
RIP Jerry Lewis.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) August 20, 2017
Lewis’ agent confirmed the tragic news to PEOPLE, saying that the world “has lost one of the most significant human beings of the 20th century.” The rep added that Lewis died of natural causes while surrounded by his family.
Las Vegas Review Journal columnist John Katsilometes confirmed the news on Twitter on Sunday, writing that Lewis’ rep told him in a statement that he died at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday morning in his home in Las Vegas.
“One of the greatest of all time. A legend. A showman. A comedic icon. A movie star. An activist. A one of a kind. RIP #jerrylewis,” Gad tweeted alongside an old photo of Lewis.
We have lost a great comedian and even greater heart. Thank you for the laughs and the feels, Jerry Lewis. https://t.co/vdYCfd7atJ
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 20, 2017
That fool was no dummy. Jerry Lewis was an undeniable genius an unfathomable blessing, comedy's absolute! I am because he was! ;^D pic.twitter.com/3Zdq9xhXlE
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) August 20, 2017
One of the greatest of all time. A legend. A showman. A comedic icon. A movie star. An activist. A one of a kind. RIP #jerrylewis pic.twitter.com/h3ODZgZjAa
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) August 20, 2017
even tho u said women arent funny rest in peeeeeeeaaacccccceeeeee https://t.co/f4K8lav7zG
— Chelsea Peretti (@chelseaperetti) August 20, 2017
As a kid, I'm pretty sure I was the biggest Jerry Lewis fan in the world. Truly. R.I.P. Jerry Lewis.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) August 20, 2017
Condolences to the family of Jerry Lewis. The world is a lot less funnier today. ??
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) August 20, 2017
Penn Jillette also reacted to the news on Twitter, being one of the first to reveal that the comedian had died.
“Jerry Lewis just died,” Jillette wrote. “When I met him, I feel apart, just sobbed. I guess it’s time for that again.”
Patton Oswalt was sure to pen his own tribute to the comedian, writing on Twitter, “Jerry Lewis has passed on. I sincerely hope his afterlife is a warm, peaceful … haven.”
The French were right about him all along. RIP Jerry Lewis pic.twitter.com/jNLRPQeS4G
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) August 20, 2017
Dick Gregory and Jerry Lewis were two of the funniest, most legendary and prolific entertainers of our generation and I bow to their genius.
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) August 20, 2017
RIP jerry lewis... he was always so nice to me - the greatest of all time.
— Harry Connick Jr (@HarryConnickJR) August 20, 2017
Watched nutty professor over and over and over again as a kid. Got to meet and hang with clegend who made it. #jerrylewis. Rip
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) August 20, 2017
Dick Gregory and Jerry Lewis in a 12 hour span? That shit happens in threes. I'm rollin' up in bubble wrap and layin' on the floor & whatnot
— George Wallace (@MrGeorgeWallace) August 20, 2017
The death comes about two months after Lewis was hospitalized in Las Vegas with a urinary tract infection — the latest in a history of health issues.
In June 2006, Lewis suffered a mild heart attack in San Diego. Still, his manager told PEOPLE at the time, “He’s doing very well. He’ll be standing on that stage at the [Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association] telethon on Labor Day.”
In its time, the annual fundraiser, which Lewis started in 1966 (he stopped hosting as of 2010), is said to have raised more than $2 billion for medical research.
My deepest condolences and prayers to the entire Lewis family . The world lost a great man today. Jerry Lewis. pic.twitter.com/KBwgquLbKh
— Tony Orlando (@TonyOrlando) August 20, 2017
Only #JerryLewis would have the comedic bravado to do a dueling drum solo with the great #BuddyRich RIP Mr. Lewis...you changed the world! pic.twitter.com/OqbXmuQghm
— Mark Schulman (@markyplanet) August 20, 2017
Prior to his heart attack, Lewis had long faced health problems, and in June 2012 was rushed to the hospital with low blood sugar only minutes before he was expected to present an award to Tom Cruise at a New York Friars Club event.
Still, Lewis has managed to maintain his popularity, and legend-status during his decades-long career. His manic style amused generations of moviegoers on both sides of the Atlantic, and his popularity often confounded critics.
