US comedian Jerry Lewis rushed to hospital after health scare

New York, June 13 (ANI): Legendary comedian Jerry Lewis had to be rushed to the hospital minutes before he was due on stage to hand Tom Cruise a prestigious Friars Club award.

The 86-year-old entertainer collapsed due to low blood sugar just before he was to take the stage in front of hundreds at a star-studded celebration at the Waldorf Astoria on Tuesday night.

Lewis was due to be honoured with the Applause Award, and to present Tom Cruise with the Friars Club Entertainment Icon Award.

Chairman of the Friars Foundation Ambassador Joseph Zappala told the crowd that Lewis had fallen ill shortly before the event and had been taken to hospital, but was expected to recover.

"I am sorry Jerry couldn't be here tonight, but I know he is going to be fine," the New York Prost quoted Cruise as telling the crowd while accepting his award.

It is believed that Lewis was later released from hospital and was resting at a Manhattan hotel room. (ANI)