Jerry Lewis Apologizes for Anti-Gay Slur

Comedian Jerry Lewis apologized Tuesday for an anti-gay remark he made during the live national telecast of his annual Labor Day Telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

In the 18th hour of the Telethon, a visibly weary Lewis wandered about the stage trying to dodge the cameraman while making comments on various people. At one point, he stopped and referenced the cameraman and his family, "Your family has come to see you...you remember Bart, your oldest son...Jesse, the illiterate fag." The 81 year old comedy legend apparently caught himself and ceased the gag in mid-sentence, turning on his heel away from the camera.

The remark quickly drew condemnation from gay watchdog groups.

"Jerry Lewis' on-air use of this kind of anti-gay slur is simply unacceptable," GLAAD President Neil Giuliano said in a statement. "It also feeds a climate of hatred and intolerance that contributes to putting our community in harm's way. Our nation's media have done an admirable job this year holding public figures accountable for their use of anti-gay slurs, and I hope they continue to do so with Mr. Lewis."

Lewis issued a statement later in the day through organizers of the telethon saying he was sorry "to anyone who was offended."

"I obviously made a bad choice of words. Everyone who knows me understands that I hold no prejudices in this regard," he said.

"The success of the (telethon) and all the good that will come from it shouldn't be lost because of one unfortunate word. I accept responsibility for what I said. There are no excuses. I am sorry."

The 21 and a half hour telethon, broadcast Sunday night and Monday from the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, aired live on 190 stations in the United States and Canada.