In his 40-year entertainment career he has written, produced, directed and starred in many films, mostly comedy. He has won the Best Director award eight times in five countries, and he is the only entertainer to have been nominated for a Nobel Peace Priz

The legendary comedian Jerry Lewis was a true cinematic force, known for being a "total filmmaker" who often wrote, directed, produced, and starred in his own projects. After his wildly successful partnership with Dean Martin ended, Lewis embarked on a solo career that made him one of the biggest box office draws of his era with films like "The Bellboy" and "The Nutty Professor." While American critics were often divided on his brand of slapstick comedy, he was revered as a genius in Europe, particularly in France.

This international acclaim led to numerous accolades for his filmmaking. Throughout his forty-year career, he received the Best Director award eight times from critics and festivals in five different countries: France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. He was celebrated abroad as a visionary artist who had complete control over his creative output, a level of respect that sometimes eluded him in the United States.

Beyond his work in film, Lewis was a dedicated humanitarian. His most surprising and unique distinction is his 1977 nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. This honor recognized his decades of work as the host and driving force behind the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) telethons. From 1966 to 2010, his tireless efforts helped raise over $2.6 billion for research and patient support, making him the only entertainer in history to be nominated for the prestigious award.