History Creator / MartinAndLewis

* StraightMan: Martin.
* StraightManAndWiseGuy: Martin and Lewis, respectively.

Although accounts differ on how exactly their partnership began, it's generally accepted that Martin and Lewis were middling night club acts who weren't going anywhere fast. However, when they took to the stage together, their natural chemistry and comedic talent electrified audiences. Both also had an affinity for improv so their act rarely stuck to a prepared script, which resonated with audiences that were used to more well-rehearsed acts.

* CameraScrew: On several occasions on ''The Series/ColgateComedyHour'', Jerry Lewis would attempt to speak directly to the camera, except the active camera would switch on him every three seconds, much to his annoyance. ("Which camera is on?")

* TheCameo: The duo appear in a brief but memorable one in ''[[Film/RoadTo Road to Bali]]'' as part of a "comedy trade" with them and Creator/BobHope and Music/BingCrosby. In return, Hope and Crosby make a cameo in their film ''Scared Stiff''.

* BigGuyLittleGuy: The duo tried to embody this trope (and sometimes LittleGuyBigBuddy) with Martin as the big guy and Lewis as the little guy. However, at 6'0" Lewis was a couple inches taller than Martin, so Martin wore lifts and Lewis cut the heels off his shoes.

* NameAndName: The duo went by both ''Martin and Lewis'' and ''Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis'', but usually the latter.

* NameAndName: The duo went by both ''Martin and Lewis'' and ''Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis'', but usually the latter. This is sometimes given as a reason why they were both able to launch successful solo careers, as audiences actually could recognize their full names.

The team eventually broke up as the two began tiring of their established formula in differing ways. Lewis wanted to become more experimental to try and play comedy for pathos. He also began hogging the spotlight. Martin, on the other hand, was growing frustrated with playing blandly charming leads and wanted to branch out into meatier dramatic roles. With the two realizing they couldn't work together anymore, their partnership was dissolved.

* NameAndName: The duo went by both ''Martin and Lewis'' and ''Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis''.

* {{Adorkable}}: Lewis often played this type of character.

They performed in nightclubs, on radio, and later television and films. They were very popular as hosts of the VarietyShow ''The Series/ColgateComedyHour''.

Music/DeanMartin[[note]]born Dino Paul Crocetti[[/note]] (June 7, 1917 — December 25, 1995) and Creator/JerryLewis[[note]]born either Jerome Levitch or Joseph Levitch, depending on the source[[/note]] (March 16, 1926 – August 20, 2017) were a mid 20th century comedy DoubleAct. They met in 1945 and officially teamed up on July 25, 1946; the team lasted ten years to the day. They performed in nightclubs, on radio, and later television and films. They were very popular as hosts of the VarietyShow ''The Series/ColgateComedyHour''.

* AnnoyingLaugh: Often used with Lewis' characters. A notable example is Ted Rogers and his mother in ''The Stooge''.

!!Tropes associated with Martin And Lewis:

* ActorShipping: Popular amongst fans, especially since they often appeared [[AsHimself as themselves]] or playing TheDanza.

* TheDanza: Jerry Lewis playing Jerry Hotchkiss in ''3 Ring Circus''.

* FunnyCharacterBoringActor: Inverted with Martin. Lewis would always assert that he had a great sense of humor despite playing the straight man.

* HoYay: '''''In spades.''''' The book ''America's First Network TV Censor: The Work of NBC's Stockton Helffrich'' says, in reference to Martin and Lewis hosting ''The Series/ColgateComedyHour'',
-->“Helffrich cut entire sequences, proscribing any overt sexual impropriety or underlying gay motif.”

* StuckInTheirShadow: As the straight man, Martin usually wasn't given as much praise as Lewis.

* ''Artists and Models'' (1955)

* {{Improv}}: An essential part of their live shows.

* AlwaysVSexy: Martin as Victor Puccinelli in ''At War With the Army''.

* AnywhereButTheirLips: The boys had no problem with kissing each other on the lips in their live shows, but the three times Lewis kisses Martin in their movies ''The Caddy'' and ''Artists and Models'' they're all on his cheek.

* IncrediblyConspicuousDrag: Lewis in several of their sketches and films, most notably in ''At War With the Army,'' ''Scared Stiff,'' and ''Money From Home.''

* GenderFlip: Two of their films were adapted from screwball comedies produced decades earlier -- Film/NothingSacred (remade as ''Living It Up'') and Film/TheMajorAndTheMinor (remade as ''You're Never Too Young'') -- with Lewis filling Carole Lombard and Ginger Rogers' respective roles.

* AccidentalKiss: A couple near-misses in ''The Stooge'' and ''Scared Stiff'' as well as a memorable one in the "500 Club" episode of ''The Series/ColgateComedyHour.''