Emmanuel Lewis

Birthday: 9 March 1971, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Height: 130 cm

Emmanuel Lewis was born March 9th, 1971 in Brooklyn, New York. The youngest son of Margaret Lewis, a former computer-science professional, Emmanuel attended regular public schools in Brooklyn until his busy acting career took him to Hollywood. He has four siblings. His acting career began one day when he was jogging with an actor-friend who asked him if he wanted to be in the business. The friend suggested that Emmanuel's mother contact the Shuller Talent Agency, which handles gifted children for TV commercials. He thought that Emmanuel had the perfect face and personality for commercials. The friend proved right. Emmanuel was signed by the agency the minute the agents saw him and before long he was appearing in commercials for such products as fruit juice, cars, stereos, glue, soup, toys, coffee, pudding, pizza, and, of course, Burger King. He did around 50-60 commercials including one for Campbell's Soup and Life Cereal and the 4 Burger King commercials. His Colgate commercial can be seen in the movie 'Splash' when Madison (the mermaid) goes to the mall (it can be seen on the TVs in the background).The first acting job Emmanuel had that wasn't in a commercial was the part of The Changeling Boy in the Joseph Papp New York Shakespeare Festival Production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Emmanuel also guest-starred on such TV talk shows as "The Tonight Show" and "The Phil Donahue Show" but "Webster" was Emmanuel's first major role on a TV series.Emmanuel also became one of the biggest stars in Japan as well as America. He made three personal-appearance tours in that country, and a record he made there shot to the top of the charts. He even made a television movie for Japanese television called Samurai in New York.He has maintained a friendship with music superstar Michael Jackson for many years. It all began when they met at an awards ceremony. After that, Michael insisted that Emmanuel accompany him to such events as "The Emmy Awards Show" and "The Academy Awards Presentations" (they would often dress alike). The two young men spent many happy hours together discussing performing and show business.Besides Webster, Emmanuel has done guest spots on The Love Boat, In the House, Family Matters (as himself), Malcolm & Eddie (as himself), and Moesha (in the episode "The Short Story"). He also did a 1985 TV movie called Lost in London which co-starred Ben Vereen. He also did 'The New Adventures of Mother Goose Special' with Sally Struthers.The 3' 6" tall (he says there is no known medical reason for his still-short stature and has grown 6" since the age of 12) Lewis graduated from Clark Atlanta University with a theater arts degree in 1997. He is said to be looking for another TV series and to possibly go into directing. He is good friends with Marc Price ('Skippy' on Family Ties and now a stand-up comedian) and has gone on tour with him and done various promotional appearances with him.He founded his own musical label called Emmanuel Lewis Entertainment. He is said to have a black belt in karate and is a martial arts expert. He also is a student of Billy Blanks' Tae-Bo.Emmanuel guest-starred on the new original USA Network thriller called GvsE. In the August 1st 1999 episode, he played an...uh...explosive character proving that not only Good things come in small packages.In February 2002, he appeared in a commercial for Denny's. Hide

[on his off- and off-screen chemistry with Alex Karras, who played George Papadapolis]: He was a gia Show more [on his off- and off-screen chemistry with Alex Karras, who played George Papadapolis]: He was a giant of a man with a big heart, a great sense of humor, and very grounded outlook on life. He might have towered over you... but he had a knack of being able get down to your level without being small about it. Hide

[on Alex Karras]: Alex was a really cool guy, he was the 'gentle giant,' with me. He was very intimi Show more [on Alex Karras]: Alex was a really cool guy, he was the 'gentle giant,' with me. He was very intimidating because he was the lineman for the Detroit Lions. I wasn't even born in the era that he actually played football. Everybody that was older knew how [much] of a scary guy he could be, but when dealing with him on the set he was very protective of me. We would always have lunch together, on more occasions than not, and we would sit at the dining room table on the set, we would go to one of our rooms and we would have our own meals and we would run lines and do stuff together. Hide

[on the death of Alex Karras]: My heartfelt condolences goes out to Susan, Katie, George, Renny, Pet Show more [on the death of Alex Karras]: My heartfelt condolences goes out to Susan, Katie, George, Renny, Peter and the entire Karras & Clark family. My prayers are forever with you guys. I had a very heavy heart this morning and I did not know why. I understand now. Rest in Peace, my friend. Hide

[on how he was 16 and still playing a child in the series, 'Webster']: "There was no reason for me t Show more [on how he was 16 and still playing a child in the series, 'Webster']: "There was no reason for me to get frustrated, because I was an actor, and that's what my job said: actor. So you don't play yourself. You're playing a character." Hide

The only time I've ever gotten nervous was at the White House. I was singing 'White Christmas.' And Show more The only time I've ever gotten nervous was at the White House. I was singing 'White Christmas.' And I had to think, 'Well, Mrs. Reagan is sitting there and all these kids are watching--if I mess up, they're going to hate me.' And the Main Man was just sitting on my shoulder saying, 'Lots of luck, kid'. Hide

My mom is extremely protective of me. Wherever I went, my mom and my family went. My mom is extremely protective of me. Wherever I went, my mom and my family went.

I want to produce, direct, write. Learning as I go. Learn this area, do that. Learn that area, do th Show more I want to produce, direct, write. Learning as I go. Learn this area, do that. Learn that area, do that. And I plan to go to college and study business. Understanding the business is a *must*. So you can be on top of things all the time. You have to think one step, two steps, three steps ahead. You can't just sit still. Hide

It was never a shock to me. It was never a thing where I'd say, 'Oh, my God! What's going on here?' Show more It was never a shock to me. It was never a thing where I'd say, 'Oh, my God! What's going on here?' You know, I'm short. Alright. - on his slow growing process Hide

I don't want Webster to be bad. I've had lots of kids come up to me and talk to me like I'm Webster Show more I don't want Webster to be bad. I've had lots of kids come up to me and talk to me like I'm Webster and say, 'You're so bad.' But Webster should be a role model. Hide

I love the concept that if I ever wanted to walk away from show biz without having to depend on any Show more I love the concept that if I ever wanted to walk away from show biz without having to depend on any past money, I can have current money being taken care of all the time. Hide

I could not go anywhere. I would get mobbed. Once on a shopping trip with my mom, there was a crowd Show more I could not go anywhere. I would get mobbed. Once on a shopping trip with my mom, there was a crowd of people in front of the door yelling, 'Bring out Webster! Bring out Webster!' And they're ranting and they're chanting, and all of a sudden, we heard this thing go '{CLASH!}', and they busted the front display window. Hide

When asked who is the president of his corporation: "Mom. But as for treasurer, I don't know. But *I Show more When asked who is the president of his corporation: "Mom. But as for treasurer, I don't know. But *I'm* the owner." Hide

[on his family]: We weren't rich and we weren't poor. We were just happy if we got 50 cents for the Show more [on his family]: We weren't rich and we weren't poor. We were just happy if we got 50 cents for the week just to go get some snacks every once in a while. Hide

[on Michael Jackson]: He said I was his form of inspiration. He loved our humor and just hanging out Show more [on Michael Jackson]: He said I was his form of inspiration. He loved our humor and just hanging out and having fun, with not just me, but my whole family. Hide

I was a workaholic basically at the time, and loved every single second of it. I was a workaholic basically at the time, and loved every single second of it.

I would never really expose any of my girlfriends to the Press. Everything that I would have with th Show more I would never really expose any of my girlfriends to the Press. Everything that I would have with them would be very private. I didn't want to put them through what I had to go through. *I* had to do it. *They* didn't. Hide

I've had my production company for a few years, but I've just started bringing it out in the last ye Show more I've had my production company for a few years, but I've just started bringing it out in the last year. I've been thinking up new things to do with it. Last year we did 'Lost in London' [a CBS TV-movie]. Now I'm looking to move into the feature-film field. We're all working hard on our own ideas for a story, and we're looking for good writers. Where are the good writers? They seem to be hiding. Hide

Emmanuel Lewis's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (54)

Family Matters - Season 1

The Love Boat - Season 9

Tripping the Rift - Season 3

Tripping the Rift - Season 1

Webster - Season 4

The Surreal Life - Season 7

The Love Boat - Season 8

Malcolm and Eddie - Season 2

Family Matters - Season 9

Moesha - Season 6