( CNN ) -- For 45 years , Jerry Lewis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association 's annual Labor Day fundraiser have been synonymous , so much so that it 's now known as the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon , in honor of the comic 's tireless efforts . But this September , the 85-year-old star will don his tuxedo to entertain the masses and help `` Jerry 's Kids '' for the last time , the charity announced Monday . `` As a labor of love , I 've hosted the annual telethon since 1966 , '' Lewis said in news release issued by the Muscular Dystrophy Association . `` And I 'll be making my final appearance on the show this year , by performing my signature song , 'You 'll Never Walk Alone . ' `` Lewis hit it big at age 20 in 1946 , teaming up with Dean Martin to become one of the most popular comedy partnerships in history . Together , they headlined thousands of sold-out performances , 16 hit movies and two dozen top-rated television shows . After the break-up of the Martin and Lewis team , Lewis made a successful solo career . In 1959 , he signed a seven-year , $ 10 million contract with Paramount -- at the time , the largest contract ever between a studio and performer . His solo film career included classics such as `` The Nutty Professor , '' `` The Bellboy '' and `` The Geisha Boy . '' Still , for several generations since , Lewis has been known as much as a philanthropist as a movie star . That 's because of his work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association , a nonprofit dedicated to curing that disease , ALS and related ailments as well as providing support , education and other services . Lewis joined the cause in the early 1950s , and he gave it star power in 1966 when he became the host of what would be the charity 's first of many telethons over Labor Day weekends . In between occasional songs , comic bits and passionate pitches for people to donate , his biggest challenge was keeping the variety show lively and engaging for as long as 21.5 hours straight . Scores of television stations across the country picked up the program , while volunteers stood by to take calls from people pledging donations . The 2010 edition , for instanced , raised $ 58,919,838 after performances by the likes of acrobatic dancers from Cirque du Soleil , `` American Idol 's '' David Archuleta and a host of comedic performers . Still , throughout the plethora of acts , the one constant over 900 hours of programming has remained Lewis . This year 's event , on September 4 , will be shorter than many of years past at six hours . Still Lewis promised that it `` will be spectacular , and I 'm thrilled to be a part of it . '' Even as he steps down as host , Lewis said he will continue to serve as national chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association . The group 's president , Gerald Weinberg , thanked the comic for remaining committed to the cause , as well as for his efforts over the years . `` All of us who 've been privileged to work beside him , and the hundreds of thousands throughout the world affected by the myriad of muscle diseases MDA battles , will acknowledge in our hearts forever the unrivaled role Jerry has played in our lives and the lives of all Americans , '' Weinberg said in the news release .
Jerry Lewis has co - hosted the charity 's annual telethon since 1968 . He rose to fame as a comic and movie star in the 1960s . Many now know him best as the host of the Labor Day telethon . This year will be Lewis ' last such event , though he 'll remain the charity 's national chairman .