In 1977, this actor/comedian became the first entertainer nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Who is he?

While audiences knew him for his zany physical comedy, his historic 1977 Nobel Peace Prize nomination was a direct result of his tireless humanitarian work. For decades, he was the face of the fight against muscular dystrophy, a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. Beginning in 1966, he hosted the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Labor Day Telethon, a broadcast event that became a cultural institution in America.

The nomination was submitted by U.S. Representative Les Aspin, who argued that Lewis had done more to combat a single "crippling disease" than most governments or institutions. Over the course of more than 40 years as host, Lewis's passionate, emotional appeals helped raise an astonishing sum—well over two billion dollars. This funding was instrumental in advancing research, providing wheelchairs and support for families, and sending children with the disease, affectionately known as "Jerry's Kids," to summer camp.

Although he did not win the prize, the nomination itself was a landmark moment. It recognized that a person's global contribution to peace and human well-being could come from outside the traditional realms of politics and diplomacy, cementing his legacy not just as a comedian, but as one of the 20th century's most effective and dedicated philanthropists.