Martin and Lewis
Martin and Lewis refers to the iconic comedy duo of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, who gained immense popularity in the 1950s. Jerry Lewis, originally Joseph Levitch, was introduced to show business at a young age, performing with his parents in the Catskills. In contrast, Dean Martin, born Dino Crocetti to Italian immigrants, had a diverse background that included working as a coal miner and boxer before finding success as a singer. The duo's partnership began in 1946 and solidified in 1947, combining Lewis's slapstick comedy with Martin's smooth baritone as the straight man.
Together, they became a prominent fixture on television, particularly on "The Colgate Comedy Hour," and starred in sixteen films, defining an era of entertainment. Their dynamic appeal not only entertained audiences but also contributed significantly to the rise of television in its formative years. After their split in 1956, both continued to have successful careers, with Lewis known for his charitable work with the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. The legacy of Martin and Lewis remains influential in the landscape of American comedy and entertainment.
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Martin and Lewis
Identification Popular comedy acting team
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were among the first comedy teams to move from nightclubs to television and movie stardom and were one of the most popular comedy teams of the early 1950’s.
Born Joseph Levitch, Jerry Lewis was the son of entertainers. At the age of five, he joined his parents’ act, playing the “borscht belt” in the Catskills. He had little success during his early show business years, however, and held a variety of jobs. Dean Martin, born Dino Crocetti, had a much different kind of background. He was the son of Italian immigrants. His early life included jobs as a coal miner, clerk, and even a boxer. Entering the entertainment industry as a singer in speakeasies, he changed his name to Dean Martini, then Martin.
Success came to Martin and Lewis when they first met each other in March of 1946. They were introduced on a street corner in New York City and by coincidence were both booked into the Havana Club. They became an informal team in July, when each was playing the 500 Club in Atlantic City, and legally became a team in 1947. Lewis played the slapstick comedian, while Martin was the straight man with the husky, baritone voice.
From 1950 to 1955, Martin and Lewis rotated with other entertainers on television’s The Colgate Comedy Hour. After they made sixteen films, they broke up in 1956. Each went on to star in numerous films, while Martin essentially played himself in a series of television programs. Lewis’s television success was associated primarily with the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, which he began hosting on Labor Day, 1966.
Impact
The two performers were among the most popular entertainers during the early to mid-1950’s and helped fuel the success of television in its first decade.
Bibliography
Levy, Shawn. King of Comedy: The Art and Life of Jerry Lewis. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1997. A thorough biography of Lewis.
Schoell, William. Martini Man: The Life of Dean Martin. Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield, 2003. Explores Martin’s career-defining partnership with Jerry Lewis, among many other details of his life.