MUMBAI: At next year's Oscar Awards, comic actor, director, writer and producer Jerry Lewis will get the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

The award, an Oscar statuette, will be presented to Lewis during the 81st Academy Awards ceremony on 22 February.

The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award is given to an individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Sid Ganis says, “Jerry is a legendary comedian who has not only brought laughter to millions around the world but has also helped thousands upon thousands by raising funds and awareness for those suffering from muscular dystrophy.”

Lewis first found fame as part of a nightclub act with his partner, Dean Martin. The comedy team of Martin and Lewis made their screen debut in My Friend Irma in 1949 and starred in 16 films together through 1956. Lewis went on to star in more than two dozen films, including The Bellboy, The Ladies’ Man and The Nutty Professor.