Joseph Christopher Lewis was the sixth child of a multitalented actor, comedian, producer, writer, director, singer, and humanitarian. Joseph is from his father’s first wife, singer Patti Palmer. Joseph had five siblings.
Jerry was humanitarian, but he was not generous with his first-marriage children.
Let’s find Joseph Christopher Lewis’s details, where he is now, and his father’s behavior with him and his siblings.
Quick Bio
| Full Name | Joseph Christopher Lewis |
| Famous as | Son of Jerry Lewis and Patti Palmer |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of Birth | January 7, 1964 |
| Date of Death | October 24, 2009 (aged 45) |
| Parents | Jerry Lewis & Patti Palmer |
| Siblings | Gary, Scott, Christopher, Anthony, Ronald, and Danielle |
| Spouse | Kim |
| Children | Bobby Lewis, Dan Lewis |
| Maternal Grandparents | Angelo Colonico & Mary Rotellini Farino |
| Paternal Grandparents | Daniel Levitch (1902–1980) & Danny Lewis |
Who is Joseph Christopher Lewis?
Joseph Christopher Lewis, born on 7 January 1964, is the youngest son of legendary comedian Jerry Lewis and singer Patti Palmer.
Joseph’s maternal grandparents are Angelo Colonico and Mary Rotellini Farino. His paternal grandparents include the master of ceremonies and vaudevillian Danny Lewis and the WOR radio pianist Rachel Levitch.
Joseph’s parents underwent a divorce. His father then married SanDee Pitnick. His mother, Patti Palmer, sought financial support amounting to $450,000 annually for herself and 16-year-old Joseph.
While information regarding his early life remains undisclosed, specific details are not available.
Joseph’ Siblings
Joseph shares his with a total of six siblings: Gary, Scott, Christopher, Anthony, the adopted Ronald, and a half-sister named Danielle from his father’s side.
Gary was born on July 31, 1945, is an American musician. He was the leader of Gary Lewis & the Playboys.
Scott was born on February 22, 1956. He is an actor by profession.
Joseph Christopher’s half-sister, Danielle Sarah Lewis born in March 1992. She was her father’s manager before he died.
His Parents Relationship
Joseph Christopher Lewis’s parents parted ways after around 36 years of marriage. Their love story began when Patti, working as a singer with Jimmy Dorsey’s Orchestra, crossed paths with Jerry.
They tied the knot on October 3, 1944, creating a union marked by the blend of Jerry’s Jewish heritage and Patti’s Catholic background. The couple welcomed five biological children and adopted one more into their family.
In 1980, Patti initiated divorce, citing Jerry’s extravagant spending and infidelity as reasons. His openness about pursuing relationships with other women played a defining role in their marriage breakdown.
The divorce was finalized in 1983, with court papers revealing Patti’s assertion that Jerry displayed “open disregard” for their marriage, leaving her financially dependent on his decisions.
Jerry abandoned Joseph
In a National Enquirer interview, Joseph Christopher Lewis revealed a painful chapter, stating that his father, Jerry Lewis, subjected his children to physical abuse. Describing his upbringing as “pure hell,” Joseph doubted his father’s genuine love.
Struggling with drug use and alcohol during his teenage years, Joseph attempted various remedies, including therapy, but the lingering truth remained: “My father doesn’t love me.”
After Joseph’s interview, Jerry Lewis disowned Joseph, attributing the estrangement to Joseph’s gender, as Jerry reportedly desired a daughter. This strained relationship triggered a tumultuous period in Joseph’s life, marked by drug use, alcoholism, and a diagnosis of manic depression.
Unsuccessful in maintaining steady employment, Joseph faced homelessness. Despite reaching out for help through letters sent during Jerry’s annual telethon for “Jerry’s Kids,” Joseph’s pleas were met with silence—each letter returned unopened.
Married to Kim with children Bobby and Dan, Joseph faced financial struggles and homelessness after his marriage ended. Seeking refuge in a Los Angeles homeless shelter, the heartbreaking reality of familial abandonment became a central theme in his challenging journey.
Joseph’s Death
Joseph Christopher Lewis, born January 7, 1964, succumbed to a sudden heart seizure on October 24, 2009. The autopsy disclosed acute morphine intoxication as the cause.
He died in Utah, USA, leaving behind his wife, Cheri, and three sons. Joseph’s brother, Gary Lewis, publicly addressed their father’s abandonment of Joseph following his passing.
