Celebrity tributes continued pouring in on social media after news broke Sunday that legendary actor and comedian Jerry Lewis had died at his home in Las Vegas. He was 91.
Comedian Penn Jillette was one of the first to react to the news, tweeting about the first time he met the man who was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood in the 20th century, saying he sobbed the first time he met Lewis, and now it was now “time for that again.” (RELATED: Legendary Comedian Jerry Lewis Dies At 91)
FILE PHOTO – Comedian Jerry Lewis reaches out to cover the camera lens as he arrives at the 12th annual American Comedy Awards, February 22, 1998 in Los Angeles where he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
“Jerry Lewis just died. When I met him, I feel apart, just sobbed. I guess it’s time for that again,” Jillette tweeted.
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
Whoopi Goldberg mentioned the death of comedian and activist Dick Gregory along with Lewis, tweeting that losing both was a gain for Heaven but a “big loss for comedy.” Actor and comedian Jim Carrey credited his life to Lewis’ contributions to comedy and entertainment.
“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,” Goldberg tweeted.
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
“That fool was no dummy. Jerry Lewis was an undeniable genius an unfathomable blessing, comedy’s absolute! I am because he was,” Carrey tweeted.
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
Oh NOOOOO!!! Jerry Lewis just died! Another comic legend has left us. Martin&Lewis were the Beatles of comedy! Nobody was EVER bigger!
— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) August 20, 2017
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
And charity. I always loved spending time with the man. https://t.co/BJEgRgsY5z
— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) August 20, 2017
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
The French were right about him all along. RIP Jerry Lewis pic.twitter.com/jNLRPQeS4G
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis! Oy! Another comic legend gone. What an amazing talent and philanthropist. A long, well lived life!#RIPJerryLewis
— Jon Lovitz (@realjonlovitz) August 20, 2017
One the greatest physical comedians of all time! Thank you your brilliant inspiration. RIP Jerry. #JerryLewis #comedian #comedy #legend pic.twitter.com/flgU5hrgmW
— Chris Kattan (@ChrisKattan) August 20, 2017
Dick Gregory and Jerry Lewis were two of the funniest, most legendary and prolific entertainers of our generation and I bow to their genius.
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) August 20, 2017
We have lost a great comedian and even greater heart. Thank you for the laughs and the feels, Jerry Lewis. https://t.co/vdYCfd7atJ
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 20, 2017
Condolences to the family of Jerry Lewis. The world is a lot less funnier today.
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) August 20, 2017
#RIP Jerry Lewis. A Genius. A Legend. Thanks for all the laughs.
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) August 20, 2017
Sad to read about the passing of Jerry Lewis. We met when we both received honorary degrees from Emerson in ’93; how he made me laugh! RIP. pic.twitter.com/fNKcEyXFXK
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) August 20, 2017
#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
Jerry Lewis has passed on. I sincerely hope his afterlife is a warm, peaceful…
…haven.
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) August 20, 2017
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
It was one of the great experiences of my career he was tough but one of a kind #JerryLewis https://t.co/ohGUzlYPYB
— Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) August 20, 2017
I mourn the passing of my friend Jerry Lewis. He was the Friars Club’s Abbott and I its Dean. He could always make me laugh. pic.twitter.com/aZ1ZmMM2Y5
— Larry King (@kingsthings) August 20, 2017
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
One of the greatest of all time. A legend. A showman. A comedic icon. A movie star. An activist. A one of a kind. RIP #jerrylewis pic.twitter.com/h3ODZgZjAa
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis, a complicated soul who made the whole world laugh has died.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) August 20, 2017
Jerry Lewis was a comic and philanthropic icon. I send love to his family today.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 20, 2017
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
My mentor & friend Jerry Lewis has passed away. A visionary. A pioneer in all forms of entertainment. A charitable human. A father.
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) August 20, 2017
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
Goodbye Jerry
You invented the whole thing
Thank you doesn’t even get close
Love— Jeffrey Tambor (@jeffreytambor) August 20, 2017