The bitter feud between Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin (2024)

The bitter feud between Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin (1)

(Credit: Studio publicity photographer)

Singer Dean Martin and comedianJerry Lewisformed the comedy duo Martin and Lewis in 1945 and first performed in Atlantic City at the 500 Club the following year. Martin and Lewis stayed together for exactly ten years, earning significant praise before splitting up and calling it a day.

Their time together took place, of course, before either of their respective careers took off. However, the double act certainly cemented their positions in the minds of the American public and helped them both on their way to their future successes.

The act proved to be wildly successful, so much so that the pressure on them both eventually became too much to bear. Martin was often given the task of being the straight man, and he had yet to develop his singing style that would be revered in the years to come. This led to the critical acclaim of Lewis, with many believing that he was the real talent being the act.

This semi-rivalry was played out most prominently in the 16 films that they performed in together, with Martin’s singing often being overshadowed by Lewis’ excellent comedy routines. When shooting their last film together in 1956, the aptly namedHollywood or Bust, the antipathy between the two came to a head. Lewis later said: “I wouldn’t tell Dean what I thought of him, so [director] Frank Tashlin took all the flack,” while Lewis retorted by saying that Lewis was “nothing to [him] but a f*cking dollar sign.” Following the film’s completion, the pair split.

After the dissolution of Lewis and Martin, neither spoke to one other for 20 years, although Lewis later expressed regret over their silence: “the stupidity of that, I cannot expound on. The ignorance of that is something I hope I’ll always forget,” he said.

From there, Martin embarked on a successful career as a singer for Capitol Records and as an actor – considered a vital part of the Rat Pack. Meanwhile, Lewis also enjoyed success in the film industry with his movies The Bellboy and The Nutty Professor.

While the bitterness continued for 20 years, eventually, the two men made up when Frank Sinatra organised a surprise Dean Martin appearance on Jerry Lewis’ Labor Day telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The formerly-loved duo shared a loving embrace, which was celebrated across America, and they reportedly “every day” after their friendship was renewed. Thankfully, this led to Lewis gracefully attending Martin’s son’s funeral in 1987, offering support for his old friend when he needed him the most.

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The bitter feud between Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin (2024)

FAQs

Did Frank Sinatra and Jerry Lewis get along? ›

Frank Sinatra Respectfulposting | Frank Sinatra and Jerry Lewis became friends early on, during Lewis' partnership with Dean Martin and beyond | Facebook.

What did Dean Martin pass away from? ›

Martin retired from public life in early 1995 and died of acute respiratory failure resulting from emphysema at his Beverly Hills home on Christmas Day, 1995, at the age of 78. The lights of the Las Vegas Strip were dimmed in his honor. Martin was interred at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Why did Jerry Lewis keep his sons out of his will? ›

According to the will, his wife, SanDee Pitnick, actually got everything when he died. He only specifically left out his sons, though, so his other children might be able to benefit from his death. After all, the second line for his fortune was the daughter he adopted alongside SanDee, Danielle.

What is considered the best Martin and Lewis movie? ›

top 10 greatest Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis films
  • The Caddy. 19531h 35mApproved. ...
  • Living It Up. 19541h 35mApproved. ...
  • Money from Home. 19531h 40mApproved. ...
  • Pardners. 19561h 30mApproved. ...
  • My Friend Irma Goes West. 19501h 31mApproved. ...
  • My Friend Irma. 19491h 43mApproved. ...
  • Sailor Beware. 19521h 48mNot Rated. ...
  • The Stooge. 19511h 40mApproved.

Why didn't Frank Sinatra go to Dean Martin's funeral? ›

Sinatra was not able to attend his friends funeral In 1995, Martin died of acute respiratory failure. Varietynoted in 1995 that he was too overwrought to attend. Sinatras wife, Barbara Sinatra, and daughter, Nancy Sinatra, represented him at the service.

Who is Frank Sinatra's best friend? ›

Tony Oppedisano, Sinatra's road manager and close friend until his death, still speaks with a quivering voice about the weight of holding Sinatra's hand until his last breath.

Why did Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis break up? ›

Despite their success, problems began to creep into their relationship. Martin started to feel that Lewis was exerting too much control over their work and began to talk of returning to his solo career. Lewis, who still idolized Martin in many ways, felt betrayed, and before long the two stopped speaking.

How much money did Dean Martin leave when he died? ›

Dean Martin had a net worth of $30 million at the time of his death.

How did Dean Martin lose his son? ›

Dean Paul Martin Jr.

(born Dino Paul Crocetti Jr.; November 17, 1951 – March 21, 1987) was an American pop singer and film and television actor. A member of the California Air National Guard, Martin died in a crash during a military training flight. He was the son of entertainer Dean Martin.

Did Jerry Lewis' son attend his funeral? ›

He says he and his brothers Gary and Ron were not invited to the funeral. However, his brothers Scott and Chris were. But even the brothers who got invited to the funeral where shut out of the will. Lewis left his entire estate to his second wife and their adopted daughter, Danielle.

Who inherited Jerry Lewis's money? ›

Lewis's potentially vast estate will be passed to his widow, SanDee Pitnick. Then second in line to inherit his fortune, should something to his wife, is his 25-year-old adopted daughter Danielle.

What was Jerry Lewis accused of? ›

Four years after Jerry Lewis' death, the comedian has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by several of his former female costars. In a new short documentary from Vanity Fair, in conjunction with Allen v.

What movie is considered the greatest of all time? ›

Citizen Kane (1941), starring and directed by Orson Welles, has topped several international polls, including five consecutive decades at number 1 in the British Film Institute's Sight and Sound decennial poll of critics.

How much was Jerry Lewis worth? ›

At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated to be between $10 million and $15.4 million.

Who says "hey lady"? ›

Context. This line is spoken by Herbert H. Heebert (played by Jerry Lewis) in the movie The Ladies Man, directed by Jerry Lewis (1961). This is one of classic comedian Jerry Lewis's most famous catchphrases.

Who was Frank Sinatra's favorite singer? ›

'The best singer in the business', according to Frank Sinatra, passed away on Friday. Tony Bennett, like his idol, enraptured generations of fans. On Friday, Tony Bennett passed away two weeks shy of his 97th Birthday in his hometown of New York, the news of which was made public by his publicist Sylvia Weiner.

Why did Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis fall apart? ›

But problems in the relationship were developing. Deana started to feel that Jerry was taking control over their work, and began talking about going solo again. Jerry, who still idolized Dean, felt shocked and betrayed, and before long, tensions reached the boiling point and they stopped speaking altogether.

What comedian was friends with Sinatra? ›

A veteran headline performer at Las Vegas hotel-casinos and peripheral member of the Rat Pack via friendship with Frank Sinatra, Rickles received widespread exposure as a frequent guest on talk and variety shows, including The Dean Martin Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and The Late Show with David ...

Who saved Frank Sinatra's life? ›

On May 10, 1964, Dexter saved both Frank Sinatra's life and the life of Ruth Koch (wife of Producer Howard W. Koch), during production of the World War II film, None But the Brave (1965), in Kauai, Hawaii.

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