LEGENDARY comedian Jerry Lewis was rushed to the hospital just before he was due on stage to hand Tom Cruise a prestigious Friars Club award.

The 86-year-old entertainer collapsed with low blood sugar just before he was to take the stage in front of hundreds at a star-studded gala at the Waldorf Astoria in New York today.

Lewis was due to be honoured with the Applause Award, and to present Tom Cruise with the Friars Club Entertainment Icon Award.

Chairman of the Friars Foundation Ambassador Joseph Zappala told the crowd that Lewis had fallen ill shortly before the event and had been taken to the hospital, but was expected to recover.

Accepting his award, Cruise later told the crowd, "I am sorry Jerry couldn't be here tonight, but I know he is going to be fine."

It is believed Lewis was later released from the hospital and was resting at a Manhattan hotel room.

Performers at the event, emceed by Alec Baldwin, included Bill Hader, Cuba Gooding Jr, Bebel Gilberto, Corinne Bailey Rae, Robin Thicke and the cast of Broadway's Rock of Ages.

Cruise, who attended with his son Connor and daughter Suri, also said he was honoured to receive the Friars Club Entertainment Icon Award, the club's highest honor which has previously only been awarded to three recipients - Douglas Fairbanks, Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra.

Reps for Lewis could not be reached last night and the Friars Club declined to comment.

Read more at theNew York Post.

Originally published as Comedian Jerry Lewis rushed to hospital