Veteran comedic actor Jerry Lewis, 86, was rushed to a New York City hospital Tuesday night after falling ill at the Friars Club moments before he was to present an award to Tom Cruise.
Lewis collapsed at the star-studded Waldorf Astoria gala after experiencing a medical event brought on by low blood sugar.
The funnyman was unable to present Tom Cruise with the Friars Club Entertainment Icon Award. Taking his place was Joseph Zappala, Chairman of the Friars Foundation.
Cruise, set to turn 50 next month, attended the event with his children Connor Cruise and Suri Cruise. He was only the fourth recipient of the prestigious award; previous winners were Douglas Fairbanks, Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra.
While accepting the honor, the ‘Rock of Ages’ star said, “I am sorry Jerry couldn’t be here tonight, but I know he is going to be fine.”
Lewis was to have received the Applause Award during the Friars event. Instead he was treated at a nearby hospital emergency room before returning to his Manhattan hotel room.
Photos: WENN