Comedian faces paternity claims

Former rock 'n' roll star Gary Lewis, one of Jerry Lewis' sons, has agreed to submit to a DNA test on behalf of a woman who believes she is the comedy legend's daughter.

Results of the test will be announced next month on "Inside Edition," which has been covering the claim by Suzan Lewis, aka Suzan Minoret, now in her late 50s.

Photos of her can be seen at http://suzanlewis.com/index2.html.

Jerry Lewis, a longtime Las Vegas resident, is being honored today with an Oscar at the 81st Academy Awards for his humanitarian efforts.

On her Web site, the woman, who lives in Florida, said she met Jerry Lewis in the 1980s while he was visiting France.

"We spent a very warm and special day together in his suite. It was his idea to place an overseas call to Mom. After he talked with her, he seemed even more relaxed and accepting of me. I have great memories of that day with Jerry Lewis."

She wrote on the Web site that the comedian's manager, Joe Stabile, told her the next day she had to leave because, "You look so much like him, people will catch on that you're his daughter."

The woman said she was 26 when her mother told her Jerry Lewis was her father from a tryst with Lewis in a suite above the famous Copacabana nightclub in New York City, where Lewis was performing with Dean Martin.

Jerry Lewis has not publicly acknowledged that the woman is his daughter.

Suzan Lewis said she is disabled from an automobile accident and homeless. She is releasing a book titled "Jerry's Kid" in April, according to her Web site.

Gary Lewis and The Playboys were instant stars in 1965, with a No. 1 hit ("This Diamond Ring") two No. 2's ("Count Me In" and "Save Your Heart for Me"), a No. 3 ("She's Just My Style") and a No. 4 ("Everybody Loves a Clown"). The group had 17 top 40 hits.

Another paternity claim has emerged from a Virginia man.

Tim Weller, who turns 60 next month, contacted Vegas Confidential last summer. His mother never told him who his father was, only that she dated Jerry Lewis when he was working in the Newark, N.J., area and "that he was Jewish and that I looked like him."

"I'm not trying to gain from this, just clear up a nearly 60-year-old mystery. And my 9-year-old son deserves to know about his grandfather, if Jerry turns out to be him," said Weller, an X-ray technician in Fredericksburg, Va.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Las Vegas actress and singer Meaghan Jette Martin debuted her "When You Wish Upon A Star" music video on Saturday on the Disney Channel. It accompanies the third DVD and first Blu-ray disc release of "Pinocchio." Martin, 17, also recently covered Olivia Newton-John's "Magic" for the "Wizard's of Waverly Place" soundtrack.

SIGHTINGS

New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress, with Oakland Raiders tight end Darrell Strong, at Drai's After Hours on Friday in Bill's Gamblin' Hall. ... Tony Gonzalez of the Kansas City Chiefs and his wife, Tobi, on Friday at T-Bones Chophouse at Red Rock Resort. ... Cedric the Entertainer, joining Wayne Brady Friday for the finale, the James Brown number, at Brady's show at The Venetian). ... Haylie Duff, celebrating her 24th birthday with beau Nick Zano and several actor friends at Yellowtail (Bellagio) and later at The Bank Nightclub. ... Keri Hilson, performing her hit "Tear'n Me Up" with Lil Wayne on Friday at Poetry nightclub (Forum Shops at Caesars). She bought about 100 shots of Patron for her fans during the night. ... Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker, dining Friday evening at Fix (Bellagio). ... Comedian Brad Garrett, checking out the Imperial Palace Auto Collection on Saturday. No word on whether he was just browsing or buying.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Remind voters there have been no Godzilla attacks on my watch." -- From David Letterman's "Top Ten Things Overheard at Kim Jong Il's Campaign Headquarters"

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.