Hollywood stars pay tribute to Jerry Lewis

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Sunday, August 20, 2017
In this April 8, 2016 photo, entertainer Jerry Lewis poses for a portrait at the Friars Club before his 90th birthday celebration in New York. (Photo by Brad Barket/Invision/AP)
In this April 8, 2016 photo, entertainer Jerry Lewis poses for a portrait at the Friars Club before his 90th birthday celebration in New York. (Photo by Brad Barket/Invision/AP)
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LOS ANGELES -- Comedians and other Hollywood stars paid tribute to comedy legend and humanitarian Jerry Lewis after word of his passing on Sunday. He was 91 years old.

"That fool was no dummy. Jerry Lewis was an undeniable genius an unfathomable blessing, comedy's absolute! I am because he was!" -Jim Carrey on Twitter.

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"Jerry was a pioneer in comedy and film. And he was a friend. I was fortunate to have seen him a few times over the past couple of years. Even at 91, he didn't miss a beat. Or a punchline. You'll be missed." - Robert DeNiro in a statement

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"My mentor & friend Jerry Lewis has passed away. A visionary. A pioneer in all forms of entertainment. A charitable human. A father. 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. Jerry's daughter Danielle is the reason her dad & I got so close. I will never be able to thank her enough for putting him in my life. Always funny. Always helpful. Always honest. I will miss you Jerry Lewis. The world has lost a true innovator & icon." - Dane Cook, in a series of tweets, on Twitter

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"Jerry Lewis has passed on. I sincerely hope his afterlife is a warm, peaceful...

...haven."- Patton Oswalt on Twitter

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"We will miss Jerry so much. I can't believe I got to meet him and spend time with him. How did my life get good enough that Jerry Lewis would smile at me? And how sad to lose him. Goodbye to the real, no irony, king of comedy." - Penn Jillette, in a series of tweets, on Twitter

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"Jerry Lewis passed today, millions around the world loved him, millions of kids he helped w/his telethons. R.I.P. &condolences 2 his family." - Whoopi Goldberg on Twitter

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"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." - Jamie Lee Curtis on Twitter

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"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 on Twitter

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"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 on Twitter

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"Oh NOOOOO!!! Jerry Lewis just died! Another comic legend has left us. Martin&Lewis were the Beatles of comedy! Nobody was EVER bigger!" -Rob Schneider on Twitter

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"We lost one of the great ones today...possibly the greatest. Jerry Lewis was one of my comedy heroes & was a gigantic inspiration to me. I am so grateful to have shared some valuable time with him."- Sean Hayes on Instagram

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"The Muscular Dystrophy Association is deeply saddened by the death of beloved comedian, performer, humanitarian and former MDA telethon star and national chairman Jerry Lewis. MDA would not be the organization it is today if it were not for Jerry's tireless efforts on behalf of 'his kids.' His enthusiasm for finding cures for neuromuscular disease was matched only by his unyielding commitment to see the fight through to the end...'" -MDA Chairman of the Board R. Rodney Howell in a statement.

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"One of the greatest of all time. A legend. A showman. A comedic icon. A movie star. An activist. A one of a kind." - Josh Gad on Twitter

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"Condolences to the family of Jerry Lewis. The world is a lot less funnier today." - William Shatner on Twitter

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"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." -Rose Marie on Twitter

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"Sad to read about the passing of Jerry Lewis. We met when we both received honorary degrees from Emerson in '93; how he made me laugh!" - Marlee Matlin on Twitter