Engelbert Humperdinck Recalls Getting a 'Fantastic Compliment' About His Jerry Lewis Impression from the Star Himself

Angela AndaloroFri, June 19, 2026 at 3:14 PM UTC

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Engelbert Humperdinck and Jerry Lewis in 1970Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty -

Engelbert Humperdinck admitted he was a longtime fan of comedian Jerry Lewis

Humperdinck, 90, started doing an impression of Lewis and made it part of his act while getting his start

Years later, Humperdinck got to know Lewis and learned what the comedian, who died in 2017 at 91, thought of his impression

Engelbert Humperdinck will never forget impressing Jerry Lewis.

The British singer, 90, recently appeared on Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia, where he recalled getting the chance to meet the late funnyman after a lifetime as a fan.

"I used to listen to him when I was a little guy in England. I would have my radio and tune in at night, and I would hear all these wonderful shows, you know, the Dean Martin andJerry Lewis Show, the Ed Sullivan Show, and all these things."

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As he broke into entertainment himself, the 'Release Me' singer learned some of Lewis' material, even developing an impression of him.

Engelbert Humperdinck and Jerry Lewis on "The Engelbert Humperdinck Show" in 1970Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

"I learned how to do Jerry in the early days because I started my career doing little clubs in England, and not having any hit records, you had to do something else," he explained.

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"So I started doing impressions of Jerry and Dean and Sammy Davis and people like that. And when I did finally meet Jerry, he told me, 'You know, Eng,' he said, 'You do the best me I've ever heard in my life.' And I thought that was quite fantastic."

In a 2024 interview, while performing in South Africa, Humperdinck revealed that he'd originally incorporated the entertainer's name into his own stage name.

Born Arnold George Dorsey, Humperdinck initially performed as Gerry Dorsey but found the name wasn't making a mark on the record industry.

Engelbert Humperdinck on "The Jerry Lewis Show" in 1969Credit: Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank

"Gordon took a song I had written, 'Stay,' to Decca Records, initially under Gerry Dorsey, but it didn't make an impression," he explained.

"So he changed the name on the record and took it back to another executive at Decca, and I was signed on the spot under Engelbert Humperdinck! No one calls me by my original name — even my family went along with the change to maintain the persona."

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