Hollywood Icon Jerry Lewis Accused of Exploitation and Abuse by Former Co-Star
In a shocking revelation, a former Hollywood actress has broken her silence about the darker side of working with legendary comedian Jerry Lewis, the beloved star of The Nutty Professor and half of the iconic comedy duo Martin & Lewis.
Speaking in a newly released interview, the actress—known for starring alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including John Wayne and Clint Eastwood—recounted disturbing encounters with Lewis during the peak of his fame in the 1960s.
According to her testimony, Lewis first appeared charming and professional when offering her a role as his leading lady in an upcoming film. He promised to triple her salary, provide costumes designed by Edith Head, and ensure she was “treated like a lady.”
However, behind closed doors, the experience turned harrowing.
“He invited me to his dressing room to discuss the next day’s scene. The moment I sat down, he locked the door,” she recalled.
“He whispered sexual things in my ear, complimented my body, and before I knew it, he was all over me. He exposed himself. I froze. I wanted to leave so badly, but I felt trapped under contract.”
When she resisted his advances, she says Lewis retaliated by isolating her on set. Crew members were allegedly instructed not to speak to her, under threat of being fired.
The actress also revealed that her trauma extended beyond Lewis, recounting another terrifying incident when a fellow actor raped her after showing up at her home uninvited.
“I didn’t fight, I didn’t scream. I was frightened to death. He zipped his pants and left. I never saw him again,” she said.
Decades later, she says she has found her voice and strength.
“If anyone tried that to me now, I’d kick them or punch them. I’m different now,” she declared, her voice steady.
The allegations add to ongoing conversations about Hollywood’s hidden history of abuse and the experiences of women who endured misconduct in silence during the industry’s golden era.
Jerry Lewis, who passed away in 2017, was never publicly accused of sexual misconduct during his lifetime. His legacy as a comedic icon now faces a more complicated reflection in light of these stories.
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