Jerry Lewis to play 1st lead in decades

LOS ANGELES, May 18 (UPI) -- U.S. entertainer Jerry Lewis has signed on to play his first leading role in more than 25 years in the big-screen drama "Max Rose," sources told Variety.

The independent film about a widower reflecting on his life was written and is to be directed by Daniel Noah. It is slated to start shooting in Los Angeles in the fall, the entertainment industry trade newspaper said.

Lewis, 83, last starred in Martin Scorsese's 1982 film "The King of Comedy." Although he had supporting roles in the mid-1990s movies "Arizona Dream" and "Funny Bones," and made occasional guest appearances on various television shows, he has concentrated largely on his humanitarian work in recent years.

Lewis was once half of a singing and comedy duo with the late Dean Martin. He has starred in dozens of popular movies including "The Stooge," "The Family Jewels," "Cinderfella," "Boeing Boeing" and "The Nutty Professor."