The renaissance filmmaker
His films - including such classics as "The Nutty Professor" (1963), "The Bellboy" (1960), "The Ladies' Man" (1961) and "The Family Jewels" (1965) - have grossed more than $800 million. His best films are those in which he was actor and some combination of producer, director and writer or wore all four hats.
The franchise
Lewis always was boffo at the box office. Films featuring Lewis and Dean Martin were voted by film exhibitors as the top box-office attractions six years in a row in the '50s. When the pair split and Lewis pursued his own film career, he received the top honor for six more years. Several of the early films Lewis made when he went out on his own have been remade, including "Nutty Professor" with Eddie Murphy playing Lewis' parts. Two are in the works: "The Bellboy," with Jackie Chan, and "Cinderfella" (no cast details).
The inventor
Lewis invented - and patented - the "video assist," a video camera linked to a motion-picture lens, for "Cinderfella" in 1960. This allowed directors to immediately view the take rather than waiting for daily rushes. It quickly became standard equipment on most movie sets.
The academic
He taught filmmaking at USC and wrote a book, "The Total Filmmaker," based on almost 500 hours of lectures. Dale Melgaard, former instructor in UNLV's film department, once noted that Lewis is still a legend on the Southern California campus.
The peer
Lewis has earned the respect of such legendary filmmakers as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Woody Allen and Peter Bogdanovich as well as the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, which gave him a lifetime achievement award in 2004.
