Joe E. Lewis

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Joe E. Lewis (born January 12, 1902 in New York City , † June 4, 1971 in New York; actually Joseph Klewan ) was an American singer , actor and comedian .

Life

Joe E. Lewis was in the 20's in demand as a singer in Chicago and had close contacts with the Mobstern of the Chicago Outfit . He began his career in the cabaret Midnight Frolics , where he became Master of Ceremony in 1925 . A contract later tied him to the Green Mill , owned by Al Capone and operated by his confidante Jack McGurn . A rival gang tried to poach Lewis with a fee of $ 1,000 a week (at the Green Mill it was $ 650). When Lewis then refused to renew his contract with the Green Mill, he was severely threatened by "Machine Gun" McGurn. On November 9, 1927, a few days after its premiere at Club Rendezvous Cafe , Lewis was attacked by three men in his apartment. He survived despite numerous severe cuts and a fractured skull. Since his throat was cut and he lost parts of his tongue, he had to end his singing career.

Sophie Tucker persuaded him to try a comeback as a singer, but it failed because Lewis could no longer hit the high notes properly. During these appearances, however, he discovered his talent for stand-up comedy . In the next few years, Lewis became a sought-after stage comedian and appeared in the New York nightclub Copacabana . At the same time, Lewis also appeared as an actor in some films, but always had the greater success on stage. Numerous television appearances followed, including more than a dozen appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show .

Lewis was married to actress Martha Stewart from 1946 to 1948 .

Lewis struggled with alcohol problems for a long time and incorporated them into his programs.

"I don't drink any more than the man next to me, and the man next to me is Dean Martin ."

- Joe. E. Lewis

"A man is never drunk if he can lay on the floor without holding on."

- Joe. E. Lewis

Joe E. Lewis died of complications from a stroke on June 4, 1971 and is buried in Cedar Park Cemetery in Emerson , New Jersey . His biography The Joker is Wild , published in 1955, served as a template for the film of the same name (German title: Schicksalsmelodie ), in which Lewis is played by Frank Sinatra . Sinatra and Lewis had known each other from times at the Green Mill and were long-time friends.

Filmography

  • 1931: Too Many Husbands
  • 1936: Women's Honor (Private Number)
  • 1937: The Holy Terror
  • 1942: Private Buckaroo
  • 1968: The Lady in Cement ( cameo )

literature

  • Art Cohn : The Joker is Wild. The Story of Joe E. Lewis . Random House, 1955

Web links

Wikiquote: Joe E. Lewis  - Quotes

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Charles A. Sengstock: That toddlin 'town: Chicago's white dance bands and orchestras, 1900-1950 . University of Illinois Press, 2004, p. 129
  2. ↑ Amanda Jayne Parr: The true and complete story of 'machine gun' Jack McGurn . Troubador Publishing Ltd, 2005, pp. 140-147
  3. ^ Robert W. Dana: Joe E. Lewis Unveils Topflight Comedy at Opening . Tips on Tables, September 7, 1945. (Article provided by bigbandsandbignames.com)
  4. ↑ findagrave.com
personal data
SURNAME Lewis, Joe E.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Klewan, Joseph (real name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American singer, actor and comedian
DATE OF BIRTH January 12, 1902
PLACE OF BIRTH New York City
DATE OF DEATH 4th June 1971
Place of death New York City