Jerry Lewis Has A Problem With Female Comedians

Jerry Lewis apparently still has a problem with female comedians.

The legendary actor stated in the past that he doesn’t enjoy watching women being funny. Although comediennes are often funnier than their male counterparts, apparently Lewis’ opinion hasn’t changed much over the years.

According to The Associated Press, someone asked Jerry Lewis about female comedians during his appearance at the Cannes Film Festival. Despite the plethora of funny ladies on the big and small screens, apparently he still has a problem.

During a recent press conference at the festival, Lewis said his favorite female comedians were Burt Reynolds and Cary Grant. He then added that he didn’t have a favorite.

“I can’t see women doing that. It bothers me,” Jerry Lewis said in regards to female comedians doing broad comedy. “I cannot sit and watch a lady diminish her qualities to the lowest common denominator. I just can’t do that.”

The UK comedy site Chortle reports that Lewis’ issue with comediennes first popped up back in 1998. During an appearance with Martin Short at Aspen’s U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, the Nutty Professor star revealed that he didn’t find women to be particularly funny.

“I don’t like any female comedians,” he said bluntly. According to People, Lewis added that he wasn’t a fan of I Love Lucy star Lucille Ball either.

“A woman doing comedy doesn’t offend me but sets me back a bit. I, as a viewer, have trouble with it. I think of her as a producing machine that brings babies in the world,” he added. Not surprisingly, many of the people in attendance got up and walked out.

Lewis was at this year’s Canne Film Festival to promote his new comedy Max Rose. The film tells the story of a pianist who discovers something about his wife that makes him question their entire marriage.

Are you a fan of Jerry Lewis? What do you think about his problem with female comedians?

[Image via Serge Rocco / Shutterstock.com]