Jerry Lewis (1926-2017) Tribute List

Comedy legend Jerry Lewis died on August 20, 2017 at the age of 91. From his early days as part of the team of Martin & Lewis with singer Dean Martin, through his solo movies like the original The Nutty Professor and Cinderfella, Lewis could make an audience laugh with the slightest expression or the biggest pratfall. Lewis was also known as a humanitarian, hosting the Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon for decades (59 years!) and raising millions of dollars for those who suffered from that group of diseases, who came to be known as "Jerry's Kids." Lewis made his share of controversial statements, and remained a magnetic presence through his later years. Here are ten vocabulary words drawn from quotes by Jerry Lewis.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. dementia
    mental deterioration of organic or functional origin
    Adrenaline is wonderful. It covers pain. It covers dementia. It covers everything.
    -quoted in Mama is Still Here! by Norris Lee Roberts, Jr. Ed.D
  2. multifaceted
    having many aspects
    People hate me because I am a multifaceted, talented, wealthy, internationally famous genius.
    - Quoted in Teaching is More than Pedagogical Practice By Ilghiz M. Sinagatullin
  3. megalomaniac
    a pathological egotist
    When I would be myself, I was being big-headed. I was being egotistical. I was a megalomaniac, when it really was just having not to be a monkey for a few hours a day. And fulfilling the need to be a man.
    - Interview with USA Today, 2008
  4. provoke
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
    It'll keep you alive for another 10 years if you get yourself a laugh once a day: either provoke it, or look around in the wildest laboratory in the world, the public.
    - Interview with The New York Times, 2005
  5. cognizant
    having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization
    When I hit around 65, 66, I started to feel tremendous worth and incredible personal esteem. I was becoming very cognizant of my contribution to the American spirit of helping your fellow man and all of the good stuff. - Interview with The Guardian UK, 2004
  6. flair
    a natural talent
    If you think childlike, you'll stay young. If you keep your energy going, and do everything with a little flair, you're gunna stay young. But most people do things without energy, and they atrophy their mind as well as their body. You have to think young, you have to laugh a lot, and you have to have good feelings for everyone in the world, because if you don't, it's going to come inside, your own poison, and it's over.- AZ Quotes
  7. atrophy
    a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse
    If you think childlike, you'll stay young. If you keep your energy going, and do everything with a little flair, you're gunna stay young. But most people do things without energy, and they atrophy their mind as well as their body. You have to think young, you have to laugh a lot, and you have to have good feelings for everyone in the world, because if you don't, it's going to come inside, your own poison, and it's over.- AZ Quotes
  8. eulogy
    a formal expression of praise for someone who has died
    People say, "How would you like to be remembered?" I don't want to be remembered. Gimme a break. What I want is to hear what's great about me now. Let me hear it! In the box you don't hear these eulogies.- Interview with The Associated Press, 2005
  9. intellect
    knowledge and mental ability
    I never got a formal education. So my intellect is my common sense. I don't have anything else going for me. And my common sense opens the door to instinct.- Quoted in Jewish Comedy Stars by Norman H. Finkelstein
  10. dire
    fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
    If I've learned anything in the more than 50 years that I've led MDA, it's that the generosity of the American people knows no bounds. I'm sure that with their fellow citizens in such dire need, they'll dig deep and do everything they can to help. - Press Release, August 31, 2005
Created on Sun Aug 20 14:45:13 EDT 2017 (updated Fri Aug 25 11:28:45 EDT 2017)

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