Jerry Lewis recovering from steroid illness

Veteran comedian Jerry Lewis has been in hospital for several weeks trying to wean himself from a steroid medication he took for a life-threatening respiratory condition, his manager said.

The 77-year-old star was trying to recuperate and strengthen his lungs at an undisclosed Las Vegas hospital as he stopped taking prednisone for pulmonary fibrosis, manager Claudia Stabile said.

The medication caused him to gain so much weight that his body appeared noticeably bloated in recent years.

“The important thing is he’s fine and I would say in a few months he’s going to be active again in the business,” agent Jeff Witjas said. “He’s slimming down to his normal weight. This is all a good thing.”

Stabile said the hospital treatment was designed to improve his condition, but she did not know if he would switch to an alternative drug for treating the illness after stopping prednisone.

“Hopefully the condition will improve enough where he won’t have to take meds,” she said.

Candi Cazau, spokeswoman for Lewis and the Orleans hotel-casino in Las Vegas, said the comedian entered the hospital voluntarily on October 13 and expects to be out in time for a March 4 show being planned at the Orleans.

“This is his goal, to be back to where he wants to be, put on a tuxedo to fit his 180-pound frame, and come to the Orleans for a show,” Cazau said. “It was his choice to go in there.”

Lewis has been plagued in recent years by several ailments. Besides pulmonary fibrosis, which is an increase of fibrous tissue in the lungs, he has had spinal meningitis, chronic back pain and diabetes.

The comedian’s films include Cinderfella, The Errand Boy, The Nutty Professor and The Patsy.

He and singer Dean Martin were a popular comedy act in the 1940s and 50s.