Jerry Lewis: Celebrities remember him in tweets

Carly Mallenbaum | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption What you didn't know about Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis was a wrestler? The story you may not have heard about Lewis.

When news broke that comedy legend Jerry Lewis had died at 91, stars took to Twitter to remember the comedian, director, actor and philanthropist.

An outpouring of famous fans and friends talked of the "king of comedy" who made the world a funnier place.

"I sincerely hope his afterlife is a warm, peaceful... haven," tweeted Patton Oswalt.

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



...haven. — Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) August 20, 2017

William Shatner shared his condolences, and said the world is "a lot less funnier today" without Lewis.

Condolences to the family of Jerry Lewis. The world is a lot less funnier today. ☹️ — William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) August 20, 2017

"Watching Jerry Lewis onscreen makes me laugh harder than almost anyone," shared Neil Patrick Harris.

Watching Jerry Lewis onscreen makes me laugh harder than almost anyone. His great contribution to cinema is undeniable. #RIP — Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) August 20, 2017

Penn Jillette, of Penn & Teller, said he sobbed when he first met Lewis, "the real, no irony, king of comedy... I guess it's time for that again."

Jerry Lewis just died. When I met him, I feel apart, just sobbed. I guess it's time for that again. — Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) August 20, 2017

We will miss Jerry so much. I can’t believe I got to meet him and spend time with him. pic.twitter.com/wpHtjuWwmp — Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) August 20, 2017

How did my life get good enough that Jerry Lewis would smile at me? And how sad to lose him. pic.twitter.com/taPhl1utzO — Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) August 20, 2017

Goodbye to the real, no irony, king of comedy. pic.twitter.com/t7qEkDo4Sl — Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) August 20, 2017

Jerry Lewis will "keep'em laffin in the ever after!" wrote Samuel L. Jackson.

It was incredible knowing & laughing with the Amazing Jerry Lewis! He'll keep'em laffin in the ever after! — Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) August 20, 2017

James Gunn said, "I loved your movies as much as France did."

Rest In Peace, Jerry Lewis. I loved your movies as much as France did. The Nutty Professor and Cinderfella will always be classics to me. — James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 20, 2017

"It was a treat to spend a few Labor Days with you," tweeted Tom Bergeron.

#RIPJerryLewis. It was a treat to spend a few Labor Days with you. #MDA pic.twitter.com/YoGO2O460D — Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) August 20, 2017

Leonard Maltin called Lewis "my comedy hero when I was growing up."

#JerryLewis was one of a kind, my comedy hero when I was growing up. Can't believe I got to spend so much time with him over the years. RIP pic.twitter.com/uji3DgPPUJ — Leonard Maltin (@leonardmaltin) August 20, 2017

Richard Lewis (no relation) said, "I cherish how this genius brought comfort to me with laughter and then support and friendship. Rip Jerry."

From 3 on I cherish how this genius brought comfort to me with laughter and then support and friendship. Rip Jerry pic.twitter.com/Jfu2cXZEju — Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) August 20, 2017

Jimmy Kimmel shared a clip of Lewis singing at an MDA telethon, and called him a "genius comedian, actor, director, inventor (and) humanitarian."

Jerry Lewis was a genius comedian, actor, director, inventor, humanitarian and, as a Las Vegan, what I miss most..https://t.co/R0uLkPOwyU — Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) August 20, 2017

Ellen DeGeneres sent love to the family of a "comic and philanthropic icon."

Jerry Lewis was a comic and philanthropic icon. I send love to his family today. — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 20, 2017

Losing both "Dick Gregory & Jerry Lewis (this weekend) is a gain 4 heaven, but big loss for comedy," said Whoopi Goldberg.

I realize I may be late with all this but all know is,losing Dick Gregory & Jerry Lewis is a gain 4 heaven, but big loss for comedy — Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) August 20, 2017

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 (@WhoopiGoldberg) August 20, 2017

Jeffrey Tambor wrote, "You invented the whole thing Thank you doesn't even get close."

Goodbye Jerry

You invented the whole thing

Thank you doesn't even get close

Love — Jeffrey Tambor (@jeffreytambor) August 20, 2017

Carl Reiner remembered the first performance of a "true comic icon."

So saddened to learn of the passing of Jerry Lewis, a true comic icon. In Boston 1947 I roared at his and Dean's first ever performance — carl reiner (@carlreiner) August 20, 2017

Marlon Wayans called Lewis his superhero growing up. "I'm just floored," he tweeted.

Man... I'm just floored. Growing up all kids have super heroes... #jerrylewis was mine. Such a… https://t.co/6sLt0EYDdO — marlon wayans (@MarlonWayans) August 20, 2017

"Jerry Lewis was an undeniable genius an unfathomable blessing, comedy's absolute!" wrote Jim Carrey.

That fool was no dummy. Jerry Lewis was an undeniable genius an unfathomable blessing, comedy's absolute! I am because he was! ;^D pic.twitter.com/3Zdq9xhXlE — Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) August 20, 2017

Larry King wrote in honor of his "pal": "Jerry lived to make the world laugh, and laugh we did for decades. His talent was surpassed only by his humanitarianism."

Jerry lived to make the world laugh, and laugh we did for decades. His talent was surpassed only by his humanitarianism. Rest well pal — Larry King (@kingsthings) August 20, 2017

"As a kid, I'm pretty sure I was the biggest Jerry Lewis fan in the world," said Kumail Nanjiani.

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 (@kumailn) August 20, 2017

"Another great one has passed on to the ultimate curtain call," said Cedric the Entertainer.

#ripjerrylewis✊🏽. Another great one has passed on to the ultimate curtain call. https://t.co/A2h6aHlmZZ — CedricTheEntertainer (@CedEntertainer) August 20, 2017

Kevin Smith declared it "a bad week for classic comedy," with the loss of both men.

Bad week for classic comedy: first #DickGregory passes now #JerryLewis dies. Both spent life making millions laugh. Fare the well, Legends. — KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) August 20, 2017

Octavia Spencer also tweeted about both comedians. "My thoughts and prayers to your families, talent like yours can never be equalled!"

To lose @IAmDickGregory & #JerryLewis days apart... My thoughts and prayers to your families, talent like yours can never be equalled! #RIP — octavia spencer (@octaviaspencer) August 20, 2017

As did Viola Davis. "Well done, gentlemen. Godspeed," she wrote.

Lewis was "a complicated soul who made the whole world laugh," tweeted Bette Midler.

Jerry Lewis, a complicated soul who made the whole world laugh has died. — Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) August 20, 2017

"The world has lost a true innovator & icon," said Dane Cook.

Always funny. Always helpful. Always honest. I will miss you Jerry Lewis. The world has lost a true innovator & icon. pic.twitter.com/mJzLbh0VFd — Dane Cook (@DaneCook) August 20, 2017

Tony Hale called Lewis the "master."

The master. Rest peacefully Jerry. pic.twitter.com/frFMGTx6Dl — Tony Hale (@MrTonyHale) August 20, 2017

David Copperfield tweeted, "Jerry, I will miss your wisdom," and used some choice hashtags.

Sean Hayes called Lewis one of his "comedy heroes."

We lost one of the great ones today...possibly the greatest. Jerry Lewis was one of my comedy heroes & was a gigan… https://t.co/Baob4Gn29E pic.twitter.com/dmkjsDlPHi — Sean Hayes (@SeanHayes) August 20, 2017

Nancy Sinatra wrote, "Dad will be as happy to see you as I'm sad to see you go."

Dear Jerry💙

Dad will be as happy to see you as I'm sad to see you go.

Give him one of your bear hugs for me. I'll always love you. pic.twitter.com/iImROGLKnl — Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) August 20, 2017

"Jerry Lewis was a treasure," said Paula Abdul.

Jerry Lewis was a treasure. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family & friends. I am so very, very sorry for your loss. — Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) August 20, 2017

Jamie Lee Curtis tweeted that Lewis "made me and many laugh."

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. #rip pic.twitter.com/4LbEbc9FCT — Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) August 20, 2017

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