Photos: Comic Jerry Lewis and his ties to Tucson
- Updated
Over the years, comedian and actor Jerry Lewis came to Tucson mostly as an activist for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which had its national headquarters here. Lewis died Sunday of natural causes in Las Vegas with his family by his side.
Comedian Jerry Lewis takes a break from conducting the Tucson Symphony, as part of the MDA Labor Day Telethon, at the Saguaro National Park West on August 20, 1991 outside Tucson. At the time Robert Berhhardt was the conductor of the group.
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Comedian Jerry Lewis conducts the Tucson Symphony, as part of the MDA Labor Day Telethon, at the Saguaro National Park West on August 20, 1991 outside Tucson. At the time Robert Berhhardt was the conductor of the group. Some 57 musicians dodged a variety of cacti and snakes to perform Leonard Bernstein's Candide overture for an audience of one, Jolene Detiege. The performance was part of a three pre-recorded segments scheduled for the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon to benefit the MDA.
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Comedian Jerry Lewis takes a break as he conducts the Tucson Symphony, as part of the MDA Labor Day Telethon, at the Saguaro National Park West on August 20, 1991 outside Tucson. At the time Robert Berhhardt was the conductor of the group.
- Ron Medvecek / Arizona Daily Star
Comedian Jerry Lewis chats with Robert Bernhardt, the real conductor of the Tucson Symphony, as part of the MDA Labor Day Telethon, at the Saguaro National Park West on August 20, 1991 outside Tucson. At the time Robert Berhhardt was the conductor of the group. Some 57 musicians dodged a variety of cacti and snakes to perform Leonard Bernstein's Candide overture for an audience of one, Jolene Detiege. The performance was part of a three pre-recorded segments scheduled for the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon to benefit the MDA.
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
In a much more relaxed mood, Comedian Jerry Lewis is interviewed by a local crew after conducting the Tucson Symphony at the Saguaro National Park West on August 20, 1991 outside Tucson. Some 57 musicians dodged a variety of cacti and snakes to perform Leonard Bernstein's Candide overture for an audience of one, Jolene Detiege. The performance was part of a three pre-recorded segments scheduled for the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon to benefit the MDA.
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Flashing his signature smile comedian Jerry Lewis gets a laugh cracking up in front of members of the Tucson Symphony at the University of Arizona Centennial Hall on February 24, 1993. Lewis was rehearsing for a benefit for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
- Linda Seeger / Arizona Daily Star
Comedian and Muscular Dystrophy Association National Chairman Jerry Lewis delights the crowd during a ceremony on February 25, 2007. Lewis has hosted the famous annual telethons that have raised funds for fighting neuromuscular diseases and providing support for those who suffer from them for decades.
- Chris Richards / Arizona Daily Star
Comedian Jerry Lewis makes a point during an interview in his Tucson hotel room Monday, December 6, 2004. Lewis, who uses one of the company's neurostimulators, tours for Medtronic touting the device, and helping raise awareness to medical professionals about the effects of chronic pain and treatment options.
- Jeffry Scott / Arizona Daily Star
Comedian Jerry Lewis takes a break from conducting the Tucson Symphony, as part of the MDA Labor Day Telethon, at the Saguaro National Park West on August 20, 1991 outside Tucson. At the time Robert Berhhardt was the conductor of the group.
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Comedian Jerry Lewis conducts the Tucson Symphony, as part of the MDA Labor Day Telethon, at the Saguaro National Park West on August 20, 1991 outside Tucson. At the time Robert Berhhardt was the conductor of the group. Some 57 musicians dodged a variety of cacti and snakes to perform Leonard Bernstein's Candide overture for an audience of one, Jolene Detiege. The performance was part of a three pre-recorded segments scheduled for the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon to benefit the MDA.
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Comedian Jerry Lewis takes a break as he conducts the Tucson Symphony, as part of the MDA Labor Day Telethon, at the Saguaro National Park West on August 20, 1991 outside Tucson. At the time Robert Berhhardt was the conductor of the group.
- Ron Medvecek / Arizona Daily Star
Comedian Jerry Lewis chats with Robert Bernhardt, the real conductor of the Tucson Symphony, as part of the MDA Labor Day Telethon, at the Saguaro National Park West on August 20, 1991 outside Tucson. At the time Robert Berhhardt was the conductor of the group. Some 57 musicians dodged a variety of cacti and snakes to perform Leonard Bernstein's Candide overture for an audience of one, Jolene Detiege. The performance was part of a three pre-recorded segments scheduled for the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon to benefit the MDA.
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
In a much more relaxed mood, Comedian Jerry Lewis is interviewed by a local crew after conducting the Tucson Symphony at the Saguaro National Park West on August 20, 1991 outside Tucson. Some 57 musicians dodged a variety of cacti and snakes to perform Leonard Bernstein's Candide overture for an audience of one, Jolene Detiege. The performance was part of a three pre-recorded segments scheduled for the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon to benefit the MDA.
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Comedian Jerry Lewis gets into a rhythm as he conducts the Tucson Symphony at the University of Arizona Centennial Hall on February 24, 1993. Lewis was rehearsing for a benefit for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
- Linda Seeger / Arizona Daily Star
Comedian Jerry Lewis chats with members of the Tucson Symphony during rehearsal at the University of Arizona Centennial Hall on February 24, 1993. Lewis was rehearsing for a benefit for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
- Linda Seeger / Arizona Daily Star
Flashing his signature smile comedian Jerry Lewis gets a laugh cracking up in front of members of the Tucson Symphony at the University of Arizona Centennial Hall on February 24, 1993. Lewis was rehearsing for a benefit for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
- Linda Seeger / Arizona Daily Star
Comedian and Muscular Dystrophy Association National Chairman Jerry Lewis delights the crowd during a ceremony on February 25, 2007. Lewis has hosted the famous annual telethons that have raised funds for fighting neuromuscular diseases and providing support for those who suffer from them for decades.
- Chris Richards / Arizona Daily Star
Comedian Jerry Lewis makes a point during an interview in his Tucson hotel room Monday, December 6, 2004. Lewis, who uses one of the company's neurostimulators, tours for Medtronic touting the device, and helping raise awareness to medical professionals about the effects of chronic pain and treatment options.
- Jeffry Scott / Arizona Daily Star
Comedian Jerry Lewis reads a letter from Medtronic in his Tucson hotel room on December 6, 2004. He says the company's neurostimulator rid him of chronic pain.
- Jeffry Scott / Arizona Daily Star
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