 The show was hosted by comedian, actor, singer and filmmaker Jerry Lewis from its 1966 inception until 2010.The history of MDA's telethon dates back to the 1950s, when the "Jerry Lewis Thanksgiving Party for MDA" raised funds for the organization's New York City area operations.The telethon was held annually on Labor Day weekend beginning in 1966, and would raise $2.45 billion for MDA from its inception through 2009.