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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Lewis celebrates 86 in a Big Apple way

From Wire Reports

Jerry Lewis did not turn 86 quietly.

The comedian and filmmaker flew in to New York from Las Vegas for an hours-long celebration Friday night.

It started with an onstage interview at Manhattan’s 92nd Street Y, then continued in midtown at the Friars Club, where hundreds gathered to sing happy birthday to Lewis, who added his trademark goofy voice. Wearing a dark blazer and bright red shirt, Lewis sat at a corner table in the club’s Frank Sinatra room, with Richard Belzer and Robert Klein among those at his table. His meal included a slice of birthday cake – a three-tiered production decorated with movie stills, a microphone and miniatures of the performer.

Lewis is known for such movies as “The Nutty Professor,” and for hosting the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s telethon.

New network will feature King

A new online programming venture bankrolled by the world’s richest man will launch with the return of a veteran television personality: Larry King.

King will start up a new daily talk show later this year for Ora.TV. The new service, backed by Mexican communications billionaire Carlos Slim, will provide programming for tablets, cellphones, computers and Internet-connected TVs.

King hosted a nightly interview program on CNN for 25 years. He retired in 2010.

No date has been set for when Ora.TV will become available.

Gallagher out of coma, telling jokes

The comedian Gallagher is telling jokes after being taken out of a medically induced coma that doctors put him in following his heart attack last week in Texas.

Doctors slowly woke up Gallagher on Sunday morning. His promotional manager, Christine Scherrer, said Gallagher immediately recognized his family and started talking to them. She said he’s breathing on his own, moving and joking around.

Scherrer said the comedian, whose full name is Leo Anthony Gallagher, had two stents replaced after collapsing Wednesday before a performance at a Lewisville bar, near Dallas.

Scherrer wasn’t sure how long Gallagher will remain hospitalized. She said he appreciates his fans’ thoughts and prayers.

The birthday bunch

Actress Renee Taylor (“The Nanny”) is 79. Actress Phyllis Newman is 79. Actress Ursula Andress is 76. Singer Ruth Pointer (Pointer Sisters) is 66. Actress Glenn Close is 65. Actor Bruce Willis is 57. Rapper Bun B (UGK) is 39. Drummer Zach Lind (Jimmy Eat World) is 36. Actor Craig Lamar Traylor (“Malcolm in the Middle”) is 23.