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Emmanuel Lewis
Emmanuel Lewis
Emmanuel Lewis
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Emmanuel Lewis (born March 9, 1971) is a retired American actor, best known for playing the title character in the sitcom Webster. He was one of American television's biggest stars in the mid-1980s.[1][2]

Key Information

Early career

[edit]

Lewis was born in Brooklyn, New York to mother Margaret Lewis. He began his acting career at age 9 working in commercials, including for Campbell's Soup, Life cereal, and Burger King.[3] Lewis was unusually short, reaching only 4 ft 3 in (1.3 m) in adulthood, which enabled him to play child roles younger than his actual age.[3]

ABC programming chief Lew Erlicht saw Lewis in a Burger King commercial and ordered a show developed for him.[4] At the time, rival network NBC was having ratings success with Diff'rent Strokes, a sitcom that featured a short African-American boy living with white adoptive parents. Rather than create a new show, ABC added Lewis to a program already in development named Another Ballgame, starring Alex Karras and Susan Clark, and recentered it around Lewis's character, Webster Long, a five-year-old child orphaned when his parents died in a car accident. Another Ballgame was retitled Then Came You and renamed before its premiere, Webster.[5]

For his role, Lewis was nominated for four Young Artist Awards.[6] In 1984, he was nominated for Best Young Actor in a Comedy Series for Webster and lost to Rick Schroder of Silver Spoons. In 1985, he was nominated for the same award, but it went to Billy Jayne of It's Not Easy. In 1986, he was nominated for Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Series, but was bested by Marc Price who won for his performance in Family Ties. In 1987, he was nominated for Exceptional Performance by a Young Actor Starring in a Television Comedy or Drama Series, which Kirk Cameron of Growing Pains won. Lewis won three People's Choice Awards and two Clio Awards.[7]

Webster was a success for ABC, finishing in the Nielsen Top 30 for its first three seasons before dropping off in its fourth. ABC canceled the show in 1987, but it continued in first-run syndication for two more seasons, making six in total. Lewis was 12 years old at the series' start, despite playing a five-year-old, and was 18 when the series ended.

Later career

[edit]

In Japan, he is known as a singer and has released two singles; his debut single, "City Connection," reached number 2 on the Oricon chart.

Lewis appeared as himself on a TV child stars episode of Weakest Link in 2001. He was voted off in the third round. He had cameo appearances in the 2007 film Kickin' It Old Skool and a 2013 episode of Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis.[8]

On November 9, 2014, Lewis appeared on Ken Reid's TV Guidance Counselor podcast. The episode was recorded live at the Somerville Theatre in Somerville, Massachusetts as part of the 2014 Boston Comedy Festival. He appears in Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz's "I Don't Give A F" video, at the 30-second mark.[9]

Personal life

[edit]

Lewis graduated from Clark Atlanta University in 1997 with a degree in theater arts and settled in the Atlanta area.[1] He is president of the Radio, Music & Film Alliance of Georgia and chairman of the board of the Thomas W. Dortch Jr. Foundation.[1][10]

Lewis is a practitioner of taekwondo.[11][12] He is also a Prince Hall Freemason and a member of W.C. Thomas Lodge #112 F&AM, PHA in Atlanta, Georgia.[13]

Filmography

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

"City Connection", a song performed by Lewis, was very popular in Japan in 1981, reaching number 2 on the Oricon chart.

  • "City Connection" (シティコネクション, Shity Konekushon) (1981 July 5)
    • B side: City Connection (English Version)
    • Lyrics: Mickey Sugar, Composer: Danny Long (pseudonym of Daiko Nagato), arranger: Michel SHIMIN, Yuka Sato
  • "Love is DANDAN" (恋はダンダン, ”Koi wa Dan Dan") (1981 October 5)
    • Lyrics: Junko Shiratori, composer: Daiko Nagato, arranger: Masao Nakajima

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Emmanuel Lewis

View on Grokipedia
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Emmanuel Lewis (born March 9, 1971) is an American former , singer, and entrepreneur best known for his portrayal of the title character in the ABC sitcom Webster, which aired from 1983 to 1989 and featured him as an orphaned boy adopted by a white family. Standing at 4 feet 3 inches (1.3 m) tall, Lewis began his career as a child performer, appearing in over 50 television commercials before landing his breakthrough role at age 12. Born in , New York, to Margaret Lewis, a specialist, Lewis was raised by his mother following his parents' divorce and grew up as the youngest among his siblings in a supportive family environment. His early entry into acting came through local auditions, leading to his debut on Webster, where his energetic persona and distinctive look made him a household name, earning him four consecutive for Favorite Young TV Performer from 1984 to 1987. Beyond television, he served as a spokesperson for and performed as a singer, including a notable rendition of "White Christmas" at the in 1985. He was notably close friends with . After Webster concluded, Lewis pursued higher education, graduating from in 1989 and earning a BA in Theater Arts from in 1997. He later founded Emmanuel Lewis Entertainment, releasing music singles in , and diversified into business ventures, including ownership of a service and a in , Georgia, where he resides part-time and . A trained martial artist holding a black belt in and , Lewis also maintains affiliations such as being a 33rd-degree Freemason.

Early life and education

Family background and childhood

Emmanuel Lewis was born on March 9, 1971, in , New York, to Margaret Lewis, a computer programmer and . His parents divorced when he was two years old, after which he was raised primarily by his in a working-class household. As the youngest of four children, Lewis grew up alongside his three older siblings: brothers Roscoe and , and sister Lizziebeth. The family resided in , where Lewis experienced a typical childhood marked by his notably , measuring just three feet tall by age nine, with no underlying medical cause identified. He attended local public schools, maintaining a normal routine amid these circumstances. Lewis's interest in performing emerged early; at around age five in 1976, a friend encouraged him to pursue , prompting his mother to connect with the Shuller Talent Agency. This initial spark laid the groundwork for his later pursuits. In 1980, at age nine, Lewis was discovered during an encounter with a neighborhood actor acquaintance, leading to his signing with the agency and the start of professional opportunities in commercials.

Formal education and early influences

Emmanuel Lewis attended public schools in , New York, during his early years, navigating a typical childhood marked by his distinctive physical stature alongside his siblings. He graduated from in 1989, completing his secondary education in the same borough where he was raised. Following high school, Lewis enrolled at , an historically Black institution in , Georgia, where he pursued higher education amid a slowdown in his acting opportunities after the conclusion of his major television role. He balanced his academic commitments with occasional professional engagements, graduating in 1997 with a degree in theater arts. This period allowed him to deepen his understanding of performance fundamentals in a structured academic environment. Lewis's artistic development was profoundly shaped by his mother, Margaret Lewis, a computer science professional who raised him and his siblings as a after her ; she actively encouraged his creative interests by connecting him with a talent agency in 1976, fostering his initial steps into . His exposure to New York's vibrant theater scene, including participation in public productions during his youth, further honed his skills in and , providing foundational experiences that complemented his later formal training.

Professional career

Entry into entertainment and early roles

Emmanuel Lewis entered the entertainment industry at the age of nine in , when a neighborhood friend suggested during a jog that he pursue , leading his mother to secure representation with the Shuller Talent Agency. This marked the beginning of his professional career as a performer, with his initial paid opportunities coming through national television commercials. He appeared in over 60 such spots, including campaigns for Campbell's Soup in 1981 and multiple advertisements in the early 1980s. As a young , Lewis faced the typical challenges of balancing auditions and work with formal , attending public schools in until his increasing commitments necessitated a switch to private schooling in . His commercial success was recognized with a Award for Best Male in a Commercial for a spot in the early 1980s. These early roles built his visibility, paving the way for further opportunities in television and music. In 1981, Lewis ventured into music with the release of his debut single "" in on July 5, which featured English and Japanese versions and reached number 2 on the charts, providing him with early international exposure as a singer and dancer. This crossover success highlighted his versatility beyond and contributed to tours in during the early 1980s.

Breakthrough with Webster

Emmanuel Lewis landed his as Webster Long, a young orphaned Black boy adopted by a white family, in the ABC sitcom Webster, which premiered on September 16, 1983. Created by Stu Silver and co-starring real-life spouses as retired player George Papadopolis and as his wife Katherine, the series centered on Lewis's character navigating life in his adoptive home, emphasizing themes of , family bonds, and cultural adjustment in an interracial household. Lewis, then 12 years old but portraying a child aged 5 to 8, was discovered through his prior work in television commercials, including a notable spot that caught the attention of ABC executives. The show aired for six seasons and 150 episodes, transitioning to first-run syndication in 1987 after four years on ABC, where it consistently drew strong ratings among younger viewers despite overall network declines. Lewis's charismatic and heartfelt performance established him as a prominent child star of the , contributing to the series' cultural resonance by portraying in a post-civil rights era context, though critics noted its idealized depiction of racial harmony often overlooked deeper societal tensions. In syndication, Webster maintained high viewership and nostalgic appeal, becoming a staple of family-oriented programming. For his role, Lewis received four Young Artist Award nominations from 1984 to 1987, winning in 1986. Lewis won four consecutive for Favorite Young TV Performer from 1984 to 1987. During production, the demanding filming schedule—often 12-hour days—challenged Lewis's , requiring on-set tutors to ensure compliance with child labor laws, though he later pursued higher education. The Webster era also amplified Lewis's celebrity through his high-profile friendship with , which began in 1983 when Jackson invited him to the set of the "Thriller" video. The two bonded over shared experiences as young performers, with Lewis accompanying Jackson to the and visiting multiple times; following Jackson's severe burns during a commercial shoot in 1984, Lewis's family hosted the singer at their home during his recovery. This association further elevated Lewis's status, blending his sitcom fame with pop culture iconography.

Later acting and media projects

Following the conclusion of Webster in 1989, Emmanuel Lewis transitioned to sporadic guest appearances and cameos, often portraying himself in roles that leveraged his child star persona. In 1996, he guest-starred on the sitcom In the House in the episode "Close Encounters of the Big Kind," where he played a character interacting with the main cast in a comedic scenario. This was followed by a 1997 appearance on Family Matters as himself, hosting a beauty pageant alongside the Winslow family in the episode "Beauty and the Beast." Lewis continued with supporting roles on 1990s television, including a 1998 episode of Moesha titled "The Short Story," in which he portrayed a love interest for the protagonist, highlighting themes of height and perception. The next year, he appeared on Malcolm & Eddie in the 1999 episode "The Sweet Hell of Success," delivering a lecture on financial responsibility as himself, and on GvsE as an "explosive character" in a thriller-style episode. These TV spots underscored the intermittent nature of his acting work during this period. Entering the 2000s, Lewis participated in reality and game show formats, appearing as himself on the 2001 celebrity edition of Weakest Link focused on child stars, where he was eliminated in the third round. He also featured in the 2003 TV special Child Stars: Then and Now, reflecting on his career alongside other former young actors. Film cameos followed, including a self-portrayal in the 2002 comedy Frank McKlusky, C.I. and another in the 2003 mockumentary Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, where he participated in a celebrity boxing segment. In 2005, he guested on One on One in the episode "Where's My Yemmy?" as himself. Lewis's later projects included a supporting role as a breakdancer (playing himself) in the 2007 comedy , which parodied 1980s dance culture. By 2013, his media presence shifted to , with an appearance as himself on Between Two Ferns with in the "Oscar Buzz Edition Part 2," engaging in awkward interview humor alongside and . Since then, Lewis has not pursued major acting roles, focusing instead on other endeavors.

Music releases and entrepreneurial efforts

Emmanuel Lewis ventured into music early in his career, capitalizing on his rising fame from television. In 1981, he released his debut single "" in on July 5, which peaked at No. 2 on the chart and became a notable hit in that market, though it did not achieve significant success . This was followed by his second single, "Love is DANDAN," released on October 5, 1981, which further established his presence as a singer in but similarly had limited impact elsewhere. These releases marked the extent of Lewis's recorded music output, with no full albums produced and his remaining concise. Throughout the 1980s and beyond, Lewis's musical activities were sporadic, primarily involving live performances at various events rather than new recordings. He contributed vocals to select episodes and specials tied to his role on Webster, including theme song elements, but did not pursue extensive soundtrack work. His appearances often blended entertainment with charitable causes, such as participation in telethons and celebrity showcases during that decade. Shifting toward entrepreneurship later in his career, Lewis became a founding and president of the Radio, Music & Film Alliance of Georgia (RMFA), a based in dedicated to supporting creatives in radio, music, and film industries. Established to foster opportunities for underrepresented artists, the RMFA reflects Lewis's commitment to industry empowerment, with him playing a key role in its inception and leadership. Under his involvement, the organization launched the annual Radio, Music & Film (RMF) Summit, beginning in 2023, which brings together professionals for networking, panels, and performances focused on Black creatives and media innovation. The third edition of the summit, held August 15–16, 2025, at the Hilton Airport Conference Center, emphasized themes of creative and included signature like artist unplugged sessions and awards for excellence in performance. In recent years, Lewis has actively promoted Black business initiatives through public engagements. During Black Business Month in August 2025, he participated in interviews highlighting the RMF Summit and discussions on empowering Black artists in media, stressing the importance of accessible platforms for emerging talent. These efforts underscore his transition from performer to , using his platform to bridge and for diverse communities.

Personal life

Health challenges and physical characteristics

Emmanuel Lewis measures approximately 4 feet 3 inches (1.3 m) in height as an adult. His short stature is genetic, as shortness runs in his mother's family, and medical evaluations have confirmed he is perfectly healthy with no underlying disorders such as dwarfism. Despite this, Lewis experienced slower physical development compared to his peers during childhood, a condition shared with other child actors of the era. Lewis's height became a prominent aspect of his public image during his time on Webster, where it was frequently emphasized in media coverage and contributed to his casting in youthful roles. This led to widespread rumors that he suffered from or a similar condition, which he addressed in interviews, clarifying that his size was familial and not pathological. In his later years, Lewis has maintained his health through regular physical activity, particularly , in which he holds a black belt . He also practices Tae-Bo, a fitness program developed by , to support strength, flexibility, and overall endurance. As of 2021, Lewis reported no major health issues, appearing youthful despite his age, though natural aging has since altered his appearance slightly. As of November 2025, no significant health updates have been reported.

Philanthropy and community affiliations

Emmanuel Lewis serves as chairman of the board for the Thomas W. Dortch Jr. Foundation, a based in dedicated to youth development through programs in , economic , and . Founded in honor of the late civic leader Thomas W. Dortch Jr., whom Lewis regarded as a mentor, the foundation has received investments such as a $200,000 grant from Georgia in 2023 to expand educational initiatives for students, equipping them with skills for personal and professional growth. Lewis's role underscores his commitment to fostering opportunities for young people in underserved communities. Lewis is an active member of , affiliated with W.C. Thomas Lodge No. 112 and Consistory No. 24 in the Prince Hall Affiliated Jurisdiction of Georgia, where he holds the 33rd degree in the . Through this affiliation, he participates in initiatives typical of the organization, which emphasize charitable work, youth mentorship, and . Drawing from his experiences as a , Lewis has advocated for by creating a (PSA) in the addressing child molestation, which aired as part of an episode of Webster and later inspired survivors to seek help. This effort highlights his focus on empowering youth to overcome personal challenges. Lewis maintains strong ties to Black entertainment networks as president and ambassador of the Radio, Music & Film Alliance of Georgia (RMFA), an organization he helped establish to promote diversity and inclusion in media industries. Through RMFA, he collaborates on events like the annual Radio, Music & Film Summit, which celebrates Black creatives and predates the alliance's formal structure by fostering early partnerships in radio, music, and film sectors.

Residence and recent activities

Lewis relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, in the 1990s and has maintained his in the area as of 2025, where he leads a low-profile centered on involvement and local events. His home in the Atlanta metropolitan region, including areas like Fayetteville, allows him to stay connected to Georgia's creative and business while avoiding the spotlight of his earlier Hollywood career. Following his retirement from full-time acting around the early , Lewis has embraced a semi-retired status, focusing on selective media appearances and advocacy rather than regular on-screen work. In 2025, he participated in interviews highlighting Black Business Month, emphasizing opportunities for Black entrepreneurs and creatives in . As president and ambassador for the Radio, Music & Film Alliance of Georgia, he hosted and promoted the 3rd Annual RMF Summit on August 15–16, 2025, at the Hilton Airport, an event dedicated to empowering Black professionals in . Lewis has not married and has no children, as confirmed in recent profiles of his personal life. He continues to nurture longstanding friendships from the entertainment industry, occasionally reflecting on peers like Michael Jackson in media discussions that underscore his enduring connections.

Filmography and discography

Selected television and film roles

Lewis began his acting career in the early 1980s with numerous television commercials, appearing in approximately 50 to 60 spots for brands including Campbell's Soup, Life Cereal, and Burger King. His breakthrough role came in the ABC/CBS sitcom Webster (1983–1989), where he portrayed the lead character Webster Long, an orphaned boy adopted by a white family. Notable guest appearances include the episode of (1997), playing himself in the "Beauty and the Beast" episode, In the House (1996), (1998), and (2001), where he competed as a contestant on the game show special for child stars. In film, Lewis had a supporting role as himself in the comedy (2007), featuring a group of breakdancers revived from a coma. He made a comedic guest appearance as himself on the Funny or Die special Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Oscar Buzz Edition Part 2 (2013).

Music recordings

Emmanuel Lewis's recorded music output is modest, consisting of two singles released exclusively in the Japanese market in 1981, with no full-length albums to his credit. These releases capitalized on his rising fame from early acting roles and were produced under the SMS Records label. Neither single achieved notable success in the United States or internationally beyond Japan. His debut single, "" (シティ・コネクション), was issued on July 5, 1981, as a 7-inch vinyl in format (catalog SM07-92). The track, a novelty pop song with and elements, featured Japanese by Mickey Sugar (translated by Sato Yuka), composition by Danny Long, and arrangement by Michel. The B-side included an English version of the same song, both running approximately 2:48 in length. It peaked at number 2 on Japan's , marking a significant hit in that market. The follow-up single, "Love is DANDAN" (恋はダンダン, also stylized as "Koi wa Dan Dan"), followed on October 5, 1981, again as a 7-inch vinyl single in stereo (catalog SM07-205). This pop track featured lyrics by Junko Shiratori, composition by Daiko Nagato, and arrangement by Masao Nakajima. No chart performance data is available for this release, and it did not garner the same attention as his debut. Beyond these, Lewis has no confirmed additional solo recordings, though he participated in various charity events that occasionally involved musical performances, none of which resulted in official releases. In the , his involvement with the Radio, Music & Film Alliance has included event appearances, but no new or unreleased tracks from these activities have been documented.

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