Emmanuel Lewis facts for kids

Emmanuel Lewis (born March 9, 1971) is an American actor who is now retired. He is most famous for playing the main character in the TV show Webster. He was one of the biggest TV stars in the United States during the mid-1980s.

Emmanuel Lewis's Early Acting Career

Emmanuel Lewis was born in Brooklyn, New York City. He started acting when he was nine years old. His first jobs were in TV commercials. He appeared in ads for popular brands like Campbell's Soup, Life cereal, and Burger King.

Lewis was shorter than most people his age. As an adult, he reached a height of 4 feet 3 inches. This allowed him to play characters who were much younger than his actual age.

How the Show Webster Began

A TV executive named Lew Erlicht, who worked for ABC, saw Emmanuel Lewis in a Burger King commercial. Erlicht was very impressed and decided to create a TV show just for him.

At that time, another TV network, NBC, had a very popular show called Diff'rent Strokes. This show was about a short African-American boy who lived with white adoptive parents. Instead of making a completely new show, ABC decided to add Emmanuel Lewis to a program they were already developing. This show was called Another Ballgame and starred Alex Karras and Susan Clark.

The show was then changed to focus on Lewis's character, Webster Long. Webster was a five-year-old child whose parents had died in a car accident. Another Ballgame was first renamed Then Came You, and then finally became Webster before it aired.

Awards and Success of Webster

For his role as Webster, Emmanuel Lewis was nominated for four Young Artist Awards. These awards celebrate young actors.

• In 1984, he was nominated for Best Young Actor in a Comedy Series.
• In 1985, he was nominated for the same award.
• In 1986, he was nominated for Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Series.
• In 1987, he was nominated for Exceptional Performance by a Young Actor Starring in a Television Comedy or Drama Series.

Even though he didn't win those specific Young Artist Awards, Lewis did win three People's Choice Awards. These awards are chosen by the public. He also won two Clio Awards, which are for excellence in advertising.

The show Webster was very successful for ABC. It was among the top 30 most-watched shows for its first three seasons. ABC canceled the show in 1987, but it continued to be shown in first-run syndication for two more seasons. This means it ran for a total of six seasons. Emmanuel Lewis was 12 years old when the show started, even though he played a five-year-old. He was 18 when the series ended.

Emmanuel Lewis's Later Career and Appearances

After Webster, Emmanuel Lewis also became known as a singer in Japan. He released two songs there. His first song, "City Connection," was very popular and reached number 2 on the Oricon music chart in Japan.

Lewis has made several appearances on TV shows and in movies.

• In 2001, he appeared as himself on a special episode of Weakest Link that featured child stars.
• He had small roles in the 2007 movie Kickin' It Old Skool.
• He also appeared in a 2013 episode of Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis.
• In 2014, Lewis was a guest on Ken Reid's TV Guidance Counselor podcast.
• He also appeared in the music video for Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz's song "I Don't Give A ...".

Emmanuel Lewis's Personal Life

Emmanuel Lewis went to Clark Atlanta University and graduated in 1997. He earned a degree in theater arts. After college, he decided to live in the Atlanta area.

He is involved in several organizations. He is the president of the Radio, Music & Film Alliance of Georgia. He also serves as the chairman of the board for the Thomas W. Dortch Jr. Foundation.

Lewis practices taekwondo, which is a Korean martial art. He is also a member of a group called the Prince Hall Freemasons.

Emmanuel Lewis's Filmography

Here are some of the TV shows and movies Emmanuel Lewis has been in:

• Webster (1983–1989) (TV series)
• The Love Boat (1984), episode "Only the Good Die Young"
• A Christmas Dream (1984) (TV special)
• Lost in London (1985) (TV)
• Emmanuel Lewis: My Very Own Show (1987) (TV)
• The New Adventures of Mother Goose (1995) (TV)
• In the House (1996), episode "Close Encounters of the Worst Kind”
• Family Matters (1997), episodes "Odd Man In" and "Beauty and the Beast"
• Alle unter einem Dach (1997) (Season 8 Episode 17 "Die Schönheitsköniginnen")
• Moesha (1998) (TV)
• Malcolm & Eddie (1999) (TV)
• Weakest Link – TV Child Stars Edition (2001) (TV)
• The Surreal Life (2003) (TV)
• Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003)
• My Super Sweet Sixteen (2005) (TV)
• One on One (2005) (TV)
• Kickin' It Old Skool (2007) (film)
• The Surreal Life: Fame Games (2007) (TV)
• The Lil Flex Show (2008) (TV)

Emmanuel Lewis's Discography

Emmanuel Lewis released two singles in Japan.

• "City Connection" (シティコネクション, Shity Konekushon) (July 5, 1981)
  • B side: City Connection (English Version)
• "Love is DANDAN" (恋はダンダン, ”Koi wa Dan Dan") (October 5, 1981)

See also

In Spanish: Emmanuel Lewis para niños