Why Did Jerry Lewis Do the Telethons?

Jerry Lewis began hosting telethons to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Associations of America (MDAA) in 1952 after a plea from a staff member who worked with Lewis and Dean Martin on The Colgate Comedy Hour.

Why did Jerry Lewis disown his sons?

Comedian apparently had severed all ties with first wife and their children. ... He married a second wife in 1983 and eventually adopted a newborn daughter with her. Lewis did not give any specific reasons why he disinherited his sons. It is not known whether the sons will contest the will.

What disease did Jerry Lewis have?

Jerry and MDA made ALS, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease after the legendary New York Yankees first baseman whose career was cut short by the disease, one of their primary targets in MDA's earliest days.