Jerry Lewis Will Not Return as Muscular Dystrophy Telethon Host

Jerry Lewis will not be returning to host this year's Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon, despite a report to the contrary from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The original report maintained that Lewis, 85, had been "reinstated" with MDA and would be returning to host the telethon; his reps yesterday said that the information was faulty.

"Him being reinstated as the host of the MDA telethon is not accurate," Candi Cazau, a publicist for Lewis, told Reuters.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive healthcare and support services, advocacy and education. See the award-winning MDA "Make A Muscle, Make A Difference" PSA.

In addition to funding more than 300 research projects worldwide, MDA maintains a national network of some 200 hospital-affiliated clinics; facilitates hundreds of support groups for families affected by neuromuscular diseases; and provides extraordinary local summer camp opportunities for thousands of youngsters fighting progressive muscle diseases. Known globally for the MDA Labor Day Telethon, the Association is the first nonprofit organization to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association "for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity."

Lewis appeared on Broadway as Mr. Applegate in the 1994 revival of Damn Yankees; he also played that role on the road. A comedic star for over half a century and for a decade the performing partner of Dean Martin, his many film credits include My Friend Irma, Scared Stiff, Hollywood or Bust, The Geisha Boy, Cinderfella, The Ladies Man, The Family Jewels, It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, Mr. Saturday Night and Funny Bones.