Jerry Lewis’ gun charges have been dismissed by a Las Vegas judge. Lewis, 82, didn’t have a gun permit while trying to board a flight with an unloaded .22 caliber Beretta in his bag on his way to Detroit in July, and had the weapon confiscated.
The original Nutty Professor actor explained that the Beretta was actually a hand-engraved keepsake that was given to him from the Muscualr Distrophy Association last year during his annual telethon for the cause.
Justice Karen Bennett-Haron agreed to toss a charge of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit after all agreed not to fine the octogenarian entertainer for his infraction.
Jerry Lewis, the legendary comedian, has returned to working on his annual charity telethon after suffering a minor heart attack on June 11.
The 80-year-old is recuperating on his boat in San Diego after undergoing heart surgery, according to the BBC. The surgery was to insert a tube into an artery.
“He’s recovering and already working on the telethon,” said Lewis’ long-time manager, Claudia Marghilano.
Lewis, who has suffered from ill health for two decades (including bouts with prostate cancer and meningitis), is also taking medication for pneumonia. The disease commonly accompanies pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung condition that Lewis has been fighting for 6 years.
Lewis has organized an annual telethon to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association since 1966.
Influential comedian Jerry Lewis is recovering in hospital after suffering a minor heart attack over the weekend.
The 80-year-old fell ill near the end of a flight from New York City to his hometown of San Diego on Sunday, according to Reuters. He was immediately taken to the hospital after plane landed.
“It was determined that he suffered a very minor heart attack, and that he has a touch of pneumonia,” said Lewis’ publicist Candi Cazau. She added that doctors expect Lewis to recover completely but haven’t said how long they’ll keep him hospitalized.
Last week, Lewis announced plans to produce and direct a Broadway adaptation of his classic film, “The Nutty Professor.” He said the production should hit the stage sometime in 2008.
Partial funds the annual Jerry Lewis telethon went to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, in addition to raising over $50 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Lewis, 79, is sharing the donations with victims of Katrina. The annual telethon raises money for children with muscular dystrophy disease.
“I’m overjoyed we were able to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina and at the same time continue our 40-year tradition of helping my kids,” said Lewis.
As well, he will donate half the money he makes from the telethon to the Salvation Army in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
The program airs every Labour Day in the States.
