NAB To Honor Comedian Jerry Lewis

Jerry Lewis

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced Monday that Jerry Lewis, renowned entertainer and humanitarian, will receive the NAB Distinguished Service Award (DSA) during the 2015 NAB Show. Lewis will accept the award at the opening keynote session on April 13 in Las Vegas.

"Jerry Lewis's slapstick brand of comedy has entertained audiences for decades, and his contributions to the entertainment industry are immeasurable," said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. "We are honored to recognize not only his comedic innovation, but also his remarkable philanthropic efforts that have bettered the lives of thousands of children."

Each year, the NAB DSA recognizes members of the broadcast community who have made significant and lasting contributions to broadcasting. Previous award recipients include Jorge Ramos, Bob Schieffer, Michael J. Fox, Mary Tyler Moore, President Ronald Reagan, Edward R. Murrow, Bob Hope, Walter Cronkite, Oprah Winfrey and Charles Osgood, among others.

Lewis is one of the most successful entertainers in history, having appeared in more than 50 films, 13 television specials, three television series, an NBC radio show and the Broadway hit "Damn Yankees." Examples of his films include "The Nutty Professor," "Who's Minding the Store?," "The Disorderly Orderly," and "The Ladies Man." Additionally, Lewis has authored four books, been the hero of a comic book series and recorded numerous records.

Off camera, Lewis is a dedicated philanthropist. As national chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), he raised over $2 billion for patient care and research and helped coin the popular phrase "Jerry's Kids." Also, Lewis founded the MDA Labor Day Telethon, which is the highest-grossing charitable fundraising program in the history of television. On two occasions, he has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.