Jerry Lewis no longer the MDA chairman

TUCSON, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The Muscular Dystrophy Association says U.S. entertainer Jerry Lewis will no longer serve as its national chairman or appear on its annual telethon.

Lewis, 85, and MDA announced in May his retirement as host of the "MDA Labor Day Telethon." The famous actor-comedian said at the time he planned to make a final appearance on the televised fundraising event this summer and would sing his signature song, "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Lewis said in May: "I'll continue to serve MDA as its national chairman -- as I've done since the early 1950s. I'll never desert MDA and my kids."

However, MDA Chairman of the Board of Directors, R. Rodney Howell, M.D., issued a statement Wednesday announcing Lewis would no longer serve as MDA chairman or perform on any future telethons.

"Jerry Lewis is a world-class humanitarian and we're forever grateful to him for his more than half century of generous service to MDA. We will not be replacing him as MDA national chairman, and he will not be appearing on the telethon," Howell said.

No reason was given for the parting of ways, but Lewis has been battling various health issues in recent years.