Comic legend Jerry Lewis taken ill in Sydney
Steve D'Arcy
The Daily Telegraph
June 24, 2011
AMERICAN comedian and actor Jerry Lewis was forced to abandon a scheduled concert at Rooty Hill RSL after falling ill just moments before he was to front a sold out concert at the western Sydney venue.
The 85-year-old is currently on his eighth Australian tour doing a series of concerts for the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of Australia a charity he has so far raised more than $2.45 billion worldwide during the past 61 years.
The veteran Hollywood funnyman also known as the King of Comedy told a News Limited journalist in an exclusive interview in his hotel room just hours before he was to take to the stage of his "love of Australia and great no-nonsense Aussies" he has befriended during his visits.
"Australian people have always treated me like a friend ever since I remember visiting the Wrestpoint Casino back in 1970 I ended up staying there for four weeks," Lewis said.
"It's a beautiful country filled with honest beautiful people."
Chief executive officer of Rooty Hill RSL Richard Errington said he was with Lewis when he arrived at the club's entrance and said the ageing comic looked ill.
"He couldn't even get out of the car, he was pale and looked extremely unwell," he said.
But the club CEO said he was heartened when he went on stage to advise the sell-out crowd of Lewis' cancellation.
"I told the audience they could have refunds but they rose as one and gave Jerry Lewis a personal standing ovation of support and said his charity could keep their ticket proceeds as a donation.
"It was a very touching gesture that was recorded and will be seen by Mr Lewis when he is well."
It is understood Lewis was being treated by a doctor, but it was unclear whether he was transported to hospital for treatment.
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