Emmy honour for comic Jerry Lewis

Jerry Lewis has hosted his Labor Day Telethon since 1966

US comedy legend Jerry Lewis is to get a prestigious TV honour for organising a long-running charity telethon.

He will receive the Governors Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which runs the Emmy Awards, at a ceremony in September.

Lewis, 79, has been the face of the annual Muscular Dystrophy Telethon for 39 years, raising almost $2bn (£1.1bn).

The academy said TV had "few traditions as impactful on the lives of viewers as the annual Jerry Lewis Telethon".

Nobel nomination

Lewis, best known for his comedy partnership with Dean Martin in the 1950s, is national chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in 1977 and was awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service in 1985.

This year's telethon will take place in Beverly Hills on 4-5 September and will be seen on 200 stations across the US.

Lewis will receive the Governors Award at the 2005 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards on 11 September.