Actor, Comedian. Born Lester L. Goldberg, he was the brother of comedian Albert Francis Goldberg, who was also known as Buddy Lester. Jerry appeared in numerous Broadway musicals and was featured in several films including "Arizona to Broadway" (1933), "Sleepytime Gal" (1942) and "The Rookie" (1959). He was best known as the host of various 1950s shows including Cavalcade of Stars, Broadway Open House, Pantomime Quiz and Saturday Night Dance Party. Years later, he returned to acting, appearing on such television series as Robert Montgomery Presents, Miami Undercover, The Monkees and Barnaby Jones. He married dancer Ardelle Unger in 1934 and they divorced in 1951. He then married Alice Elgie Wall in 1951. He won a unanimous Supreme Court decision in 1961 that he could deduct on his federal income tax return all amounts paid to his first wife under their divorce agreement. The separation agreement, made in 1951, provided for periodic payments to his former wife of percentages of Lester's gross income. The payments were for support of his former wife Ardelle and their three children. The wife was to pay the income tax on all money received from Lester. He deducted the payments in full, but the tax collector disallowed half on the grounds that half was for the support of the children. Jerry Lester started his career as a ballet dancer. A torn ligament halted that career and he turned to comedy. In 1974 Lester claimed that he was in his first race riot when he was eight and quickly learned to use his fists "so I would survive." At fourteen he said he became a professional boxer and at sixteen made his own living by clerking at the A&P in Jackson Park. BoxRec has no bouts listed under his birth name or stage name. He had a burning desire to be educated and graduated from Senn High School and Northwestern University. During the summer months when school was not in session he performed in a lot of small towns in the Midwest. On December 31, 1984 Lester was performing at a New Year's Eve show at a Miami hotel. He forgot his lines because of Alzheimer's disease. His second wife Alice said it was terrible to see him struggle and told him, "Darlin', don't ever get on stage again." That was his last appearance as an entertainer. After a two-decade battle with Alzheimer's, Jerry died on March 23, 1995 in Miami, Florida.