50 years ago today, September 5, 1976, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis reunited on stage at the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, broadcast from the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, ending a 20 year rift almost to the day since the comedy duo had split up in 1956.
The reunion was engineered secretly by Frank Sinatra, who had appeared on the telethon remotely every year since 1953 but decided that year to perform in person and smuggle Martin backstage into co-host Ed McMahon’s dressing room. Sinatra then brought Martin onstage as a surprise while Lewis was mid-broadcast, delivering the line that it was “time” the two old partners were together again. Lewis’s own son, singer Gary Lewis, who was helping backstage that night, had spotted Martin beforehand but kept the secret. The moment was watched by millions and became one of the most talked about live television surprises of the decade, helping drive record donations for the telethon that year.
Despite the emotional reunion, Martin and Lewis never fully rekindled their professional partnership or close friendship afterward, though they remained cordial for the rest of Martin’s life.
The Reunion Details
- The Arranger: Frank Sinatra surprised Jerry Lewis by walking Dean Martin out onto the stage live on television.
- The Feud: The duo had not spoken privately or appeared together in 20 years following their messy 1956 breakup on the exact 10th anniversary of their partnership.
- The On-Air Moment: A visibly shocked Lewis embraced Martin on stage, sharing light banter and laughs in front of millions of viewers.
