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FYI/Attached Article on Jerry Lewis This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu ·,, \. Memorandum Date: August 12, 1993 To: Senator Dole From: Alec Vachon kl Re: FYI/Attached Article on Jerry Lewis The attached profile of Jerry Lewis appears in September's Vanity Fair -- takes him to task for his"pity" approach in the annual Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) telethon (see, e.g., pp. 86-87, 92). The article also presents Lewis as an unpleasant, overbearing jerk. Evan Kemp, former Chairman of EEOC, is a long-time critic of Lewis; discussed on pp. 92 and 94 (photo p. 84), together with personal problems Kemp and others have encountered in taking on Lewis and MDA. On page 92, Stephen Mikita is mentioned -- a former MDA poster child and currently a State Assistant Attorney General in Utah. A strong Lewis supporter, Mikita stopped by to visit with me several weeks ago. Although a Republican, he is campaigning for an Administration job. (The meeting was set up by Jack Gannon, acting Chair of the National Council on Disability and former President of the International Firefighter's Union. A get-acquainted meeting; no assistance by this office was request- ed or offered.) Initially, Mikita wanted to be an EEOC Commis- sioner, but no "Republican" slots are expected for some time. After meeting with a senior White House senior personnel of- ficial, he now apparently expects to be offered Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights or General Counsel at EEOC. The article also suggests possible improprieties in MDA's operations. Page 1 of 9 This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu . I?: ri ~ • Abore, Jerry Lewis with his "kids" at the annual M.D.A. Labor Day telethon. Left, at home in Las Vegas, the 67 -year-old Lewis waits alone. JERRY VS. THE KIDS His Labor Day telethons have raised millions for muscular dystrophy, but Jenyr Lewis, King of Comedy, is under siege fron1 disabled adults who say their "pity-mongering" patron ntil he tells me about the re- fund-raising-including that of the has porter who asked him where Muscular Dystrophy Association, the money goes, Jerry Lewis which Lewis has been involved bec01ne patronizing. and I seem to be doing fine. with since the early 1950s. "I told I already know he considers her, 'If you do anything to hurt And Jerry's anger is no journalists to be "stupid my kids, I'll have you killed, you whores" and "morons," but understand?' " he says, very de- laughing matter he's being very nice. It's liberately. He raises an index fin- taken more than a year to ger and starts shaking it, slowly persuade him to see me; his longtime ha- and meaningfully, right in my BY LESLIE BENNETTS tred of the press has been exacerbated face. His face is getting red; his recently by coverage of the anti-Jerry voice begins to rise. ''I'll have you leave the restaurant, an aged hippie with Lewis protests being mounted around killed," he repeats. ''I'll have you killed!" long, Jank hair holds out an ancient rec- the country-by the disabled, of all peo- By this point he is almost shouting; I'm ord album for Lewis to autograph. He ple. Lewis has spent more than 40 years no longer sure whether he's recalling his takes it with a benevolent smile. From working on behalf of those with neuro- anger at somebody else or yelling at me. t~e al~1,1!n cover, his own face grins idi- muscular diseases, and now some are I stare wide-eyed at his big onyx pinkie otically.up at him, 40-odd years young- accusing him of demeaning them with ring. J .L. is glaring at me; his eyes arc er: this was Jerry Lewis the monkey, as the so-called pity approach which has dark with fury. he used to describe himself, the comic long been a hallmark of the annual Mus- Finally he withdraws his finger from who was willing to make a fool of him- cular Dystrophy Association telethon. under my nose and resumes eating his self in any way to get a laugh. The valet- This makes him very mad. But here we pasta, looking resentful. O.K .. J.L. : parking attendant looks at the album are, in a nice little Italian restaurant in message taken. Since he has already told cover, checks out Lewis's face, and San Diego where all the waiters bow me some eye-opening, but off-the-rec- clutches her heart. "Oh my God!" she and scrape, and everything seems warm ord, stories about his lifelong friend- gasps. "Jerry Lewis! I can't believe it's and friendly. ships with famous mobsters, this new you! Oh my God! Oh my God!" By Then he starts talking about some re- anecdote puts a distinct damper on the now Lewis is looking positively cheer- porter who was investigating charitable mood. until we finish dinner. As we ful. His car pulls up and we get in, even 0 82 VANITY FAIR/SEPTEMBER 1993 Page 2 of 9 This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu Lener trom Las Veg!IB -though our destination-the luxurious "Didja like that'? Good energy. huh'?" This is a man who spent his entire adult marina where Lewis anchors his boat- He pressed a button and the window of life shoving microphones and pickles is less than a five-minute walk away. the limo slid down. Lewis leaned out and chow mcin up his nostrils to get a Earlier that same day we had spent with a fixed ~mile on his face and started laugh. He hasn't changed a bit. The next several hours at a photo shoot for Kcl- waving like an automaton. "Hi . night we're in a different restaurant with logg 's, which joined with the M.D.A. in a Hi .. Hi .... " he said. The ~idcwalks a bunch of his friends, at a table for promotion for this year's eight, and at one point everyone is occu- Labor Day-weekend tele- pied talking to so111cone else, and no one thon. Lewis wore a white is looking at J.L. He picks up a roll, chefs apron, hugged chil- shreds it. and packs the cru111bs into his dren on cue, and gazed 111outh until it is stuffed too full to close. reverently at an oversize Then he pretends to choke. His wife box of Rice Krispics. turns; she is well trained. An indulgent The current national post- smile on her face. as if she were humor- er child is a tiny frccklc- ing a s111all child, she pats him on the faccd redhead named back. By now all eyes arc ou J. L. He Lance Fallon, and at grins and opens his 111outh. Each time one point Lance grabbed his wife taps his back, breadcrumbs Lewis's hand and start- ~pray fro111 his 111outh and cascade down ed kissing it with a de- the front of his clothes. Everyone votion so pas~ionatc it laughs. J. L. ~pews so111e 111orc bread- was almost painful to witness. "Ycow- c ru 111 b s from his no biting!" Lewis said curtly. He mouth. He looks like bopped the child on the head with a pad "I told her, 'If you do anything to hurt a leaf blower in over- of paper and walked off abruptly. Lance drive. By this time looked confused . Lewis's humor often my kids, I'll have you killed, people at other tables has a hard edge, and sometimes his arc watching, too. smaller fans aren't entirely sure what to you understand? I'll have you killed.' " When he finally runs make of it. When Lance started bounc- out of breadcrumbs, ing up and down in his seat, Lewis he flashes a dazzling growled, "What did he get for break- grin. His audience fast? A little Ritalin never hurt smiles. He nods 111agisterially, as if ac- any kid." knowledging his grateful subjects. At- During one lull in the action, tention has been paid . He looks serene Lance and a small black girl be- and satisfied. For the moment at least, gan to giggle and squirm. Lewis Jerry Lewis is a happy man. snapped at them, "We can't have that, children, or you'll be out of he palm trees rustic gently in the the show so quick you'll never balmy breeze that caresses San Diego know what happened." A slight Bay. Vivid flowers are blooming in pall fell over the Kellogg's reps, I carefully manicured pots around the ma- M.D.A. officials, parents, and rina, which is thick with boats of every other adults waiting around, but description. all gleaming white in the Lewis's instincts are finely morning sunshine. Gleaming the bright- honed; raising his voice so everyone Top, Los Angeles activists picket Lewis est of all is Sam's Place. Lewis's 68-foot could hear him, he added quickly, and the M.D.A. for perpetuating slel'l"Otypes Grebe motor yacht, a pristine beauty of "Get my traction out of the car so I can of the disabled. Abore, Evan Kemp Jr., polished teak that sports thick red car- hang them!" After all, the Jerry Lewis fonner chairman of the Equal Employment peting inside. Sam (short for San Dee) is persona has always included a large Opportunity Commission, who says Jerry's wife, the former dancer he wed measure of hostility, if not outright the M.D.A.
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