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Jerry Lewis Apologizes for Gay Slur

In telethon's 18th hour, comedian flung insult at camera

By Jesse Andrews, Newser User

Posted Sep 5, 2007 6:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – Comedian and advocate Jerry Lewis, 81, expressed regret at his unscripted use of the word "fag" in his Labor Day Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy. In the marathon's 18th hour, Lewis addressed a camera, pretending to introduce it to other members of its family: "Oh, your family has come to see you," he said into the camera, beckoning to another. "You remember Bart, your older son," and, motioning toward a third, "Jesse, the illiterate fag."

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation demanded satisfaction immediately, and Lewis was swift to apologize, saying, "That something like this would distract from the true purposes of the telethon pains me deeply." He added, "There are no excuses. I am sorry." The telethon raised $63.8 million, a record.

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In this photo released by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, overcome with emotion, Jerry Lewis ends his 42nd Annual Labor Day Telethon with a record-setting $63.7 million in donations and pledges Monday,... (Associated Press)

Jerry Lewis Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon (Getty Images (by Event))

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Jerry Lewis Apologizes for Gay Slur