Entertainment

Jerry Lewis leaves MDA chairmanship behind

August 4, 2011 / 5:55 AM EDT / AP

TUCSON, Ariz. - The Muscular Dystrophy Association says comedian Jerry Lewis is no long serving as the organization's national chairman.

The 85-year-old Lewis has been the MDA's national chairman since the early 1950s.

He announced in May that he was retiring host of the Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon that has become synonymous with his name.

Lewis had said that he planned to make his final appearance on this year's Sept. 4 telethon.

But MDA Chairman of the Board R. Rodney Howell said in a statement Wednesday that Lewis "will not be appearing on the telethon."

The Tucson-based MDA says Lewis "has completed his run" as its national chairman and won't be replaced.

There was no immediate explanation for the moves, and calls to the non-profit agency weren't immediately returned Wednesday night.