The veteran singer has reflected on his admiration for the late comedy icon Jerry and the memorable praise he received from him.
Engelbert Humperdinck has recalled the moment comedy legend Jerry Lewis paid him one of the greatest compliments of his career – telling the singer he performed the finest impression of him he had ever seen.
The British crooner, 90, shared the memory during an appearance on Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia, reflecting on his lifelong admiration for Jerry Lewis, who died in 2017 aged 91.
Engelbert remains one of the most successful recording artists of his generation, best known for hits including Release Me, The Last Waltz and There Goes My Everything.
More recently, he has continued touring internationally and celebrating a career spanning more than six decades.
During his new interview, he spoke about his early years as a performer and how admiration for American entertainment icons helped shape his act before he became a global star.
Engelbert said: “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 and Jerry Lewis Show, the Ed Sullivan Show, and all these things.”
Before finding chart success, Engelbert explained he relied on impressions and comedy routines while performing in clubs across Britain.
He said: “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.
“So I started doing impressions of Jerry and Dean and Sammy Davis and people like that.”
The singer said those performances eventually led to a memorable encounter with Jerry himself.
Engelbert added: “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.”
The compliment carried particular significance for Engelbert, who had spent years studying the comedian’s style and performances.
Jerry, alongside Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, formed part of a generation of American entertainers whose influence extended far beyond the United States.
He was one half of the hugely successful Martin and Lewis partnership before becoming a major film star in his own right through films including The Nutty Professor, The Bellboy and The Ladies Man.
Jerry also became known internationally for his annual telethons and fundraising work.
Engelbert also reflected on another chapter of his early career during a 2024 interview conducted while he was performing in South Africa.
The singer revealed his original stage identity had incorporated a tribute to Jerry.
Born Arnold Dorsey, Engelbert initially performed under the name Gerry Dorsey. However, he explained the name failed to attract attention within the music industry.
He said: “Gordon took a song I had written, ‘Stay’, to Decca Records, initially under Gerry Dorsey, but it didn’t make an impression.
“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!”
He added: “No one calls me by my original name – even my family went along with the change to maintain the persona.”
The decision transformed his career.
Release Me became one of the defining songs of the 1960s and famously prevented The Beatles’ Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever from reaching number one in the UK charts.
Engelbert subsequently sold millions of records worldwide and established himself as one of Britain’s most enduring musical exports.
Engelbert Humperdinck reveals career highlight involved perfect Jerry Lewis impression
