Lewis Apologizes For Gay Slur Made During Annual Telethon

Published: Sep 5, 2007

NEW YORK - Jerry Lewis dropped an antigay slur - the same one that got Isaiah Washington of "Grey's Anatomy" in trouble - during the 18th hour of his annual Labor Day telethon.

Lewis apologized Tuesday for a "bad choice of words."

The 81-year-old showman, prowling the stage during the live telecast Monday in Las Vegas, was goofing around and dodging his cameraman, then went into a ramble about imaginary family members.

Monday's monologue prompted a critical statement Tuesday from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

GLAAD President Neil Giuliano called Lewis' use of the term "simply unacceptable."

In a written statement Tuesday, Lewis said he was making "a joking comment to a member of my production team."

"I apologize to anyone who was offended," he said.

"That something like this would distract from the true purpose of the telethon pains me deeply. ... There are no excuses," he said.

The Associated Press