Even though the movies were mostly schlock, and his isolated set pieces generally much better than the entirety of his pictures – the staircase sequence in Cinderfella a perfect example – I loved Jerry Lewis for creating an enduring and iconic character out of that human being who feels discarded, alone and ridiculed.

I honestly feel Jerry did humanity a great service.

Many of us have had those moments in life when we felt like that misfit dork with his nose pressed against the window. Jerry gave us hope and that sense of the absurd in realizing that all of it – or almost all of it – is funny, not just the outcasts other people make the objects of their own misgivings and inevitable misfortunes. And he believed (take a look at the Nutty Professor) those so-called losers can even be heroes in the right circumstances.

Also – and I believe this is important – look at our culture now. Note the sheer meanness and runaway egocentrism. It’s frequently painful and dreary and dreadful. Not to mention violent. So-called artists – mimicking the atmosphere around them rather than forging a real vision – so often get trapped in machismo.

Jerry made fun of that, which was so healthy.

Jerry projected innocence.

And he was a Jersey boy!

If you doubt he maintained his Essex County roots even well into his career, please take a look at this interview, where he comes across like a true party boss.