Jerry Lewis Retiring from Telethon After 45 Years
Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
After 45 years of hosting the Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day telethon, Jerry Lewis is retiring.
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The 85-year-old comedian said in a statement, excerpted by USA Today, that it was time for a "new telethon era.
Lewis will make his final appearance during the six-hour event on Sept. 4; he'll perform his song "You'll Never Walk Alone."
The telethon first aired in 1966 on a single New York channel and raised more than $1 million in research funds for muscular dystrophy. In 2010, the event raised nearly $59 million for the cause.
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2I remember,when I was 10 years old myfriends and I raised money for the jerry Lewis telelthon.I played the accordianna and some of my friends danced and some did trapeze acts.we,ll miss you jerry.may God bless you abundantly for all you have done for the muscular distropy.Rosemarie fehr maxwell.I di this show in sea cliff.L.I. N.Y on 54 cromwell place.
It just won't be the same without him, but he has earned the rest.