Mallory Lewis
Encyclopedia
Mallory Hurwitz Lewis is an American writer
, television producer
, and puppeteer
. Lamb Chop
is a "sock puppet"
of the mother and daughter. Like Shari's daughter, Lamb Chop remains a "sister" legacy to Mallory.
. She is the daughter of Jeremy Tarcher and Shari Lewis
, creator of Lamb Chop. Growing up, Tarcher used to sleep with Lamb Chop.
. Jeremy and Tarcher had been part of Shari Lewis's show on PBS. After her mother's death in 1998, on the advice of family friend the late Dom DeLuise
, Tarcher decided that Lamb Chop should live on for her many fans and has begun performing with Lamb Chop. Upon relaunching Lamb Chop's career, Tarcher changed her surname to Lewis. While Lamb Chop may be described as "sassy", "please" and "thank you" are part of the repertoire
. Lewis has the same hand size as her mother but differentiation is sung in a duet with Lamb Chop.
Lewis said of her decision to take up the puppet: "My mom was one of the world's greatest entertainers. I don't want to challenge that. I don't think it's wise to go there. But I do want to do everything that I can do for Lamb Chop. I'll help keep her going". Lewis had never attempted to imitate Lamb Chop's voice but upon receiving a posthumous award award for Shari, Lewis performed with the puppet, discovering that she had her mother's ability to effect the voice without lip movement
.
Lewis is also a writer, of children's books, some of which star Zoey
, a baby orangutan
character she also puppeteers.
Lewis performs extensively for the USO
, the Fisher House Foundation
, other military support organizations, Performing Arts Centers and at state fairs around the country. In 2002, Lewis helped raise $275,000 for UCLA's Neuro-Oncology Program. as well as being a founder of Jump For The Cause a women's world record skydiving organization that has raised nearly 2mil for Breast Cancer Research. Lewis is also on the board of the Blue Ribbon.
Lewis was the creator and executive producer of Make Way For Noddy
, Bob the Builder: Ready Steady Build
, Poppy Cat
and Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps
.
for Outstanding Writing in a Children's Series and nominated several times.
- Jeremy Tarcher, on Mallory Lewis performing Lamp Chop's voice for the first time.
- Mallory Lewis, on hearing Lamp Chop's voice again.
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, television producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
, and puppeteer
Puppeteer
A puppeteer is a person who manipulates an inanimate object, such as a puppet, in real time to create the illusion of life. The puppeteer may be visible to or hidden from the audience. A puppeteer can operate a puppet indirectly by the use of strings, rods, wires, electronics or directly by his or...
. Lamb Chop
Lamb Chop (puppet)
Lamb Chop is a sock puppet sheep created by comedian and ventriloquist Shari Lewis. In 1957, Lamb Chop, a ewe, first appeared with Lewis on Hi Mom, a local morning show that aired on WNBC in New York....
is a "sock puppet"
Sock puppet
A sock puppet is a puppet made from a sock or similar garment. When the manipulator fits a hand into the closed end of the sock, the puppet can be seemingly made to "talk". The puppet's mouth is formed by the region between the sock's heel and toe, with the puppeteer's thumb forming a jaw...
of the mother and daughter. Like Shari's daughter, Lamb Chop remains a "sister" legacy to Mallory.
Early life
Mallory Lewis was born Mallory Tarcher in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. She is the daughter of Jeremy Tarcher and Shari Lewis
Shari Lewis
Shari Lewis was an American ventriloquist, puppeteer, and children's television show host, most popular during the 1960s and 1990s...
, creator of Lamb Chop. Growing up, Tarcher used to sleep with Lamb Chop.
Career
Tarcher worked closely with her mother as producer of Lamb Chop's Play-AlongLamb Chop's Play-Along
Lamb Chop's Play-Along is a children's television series that was shown on PBS in the United States from 1992 until 1997, as well as on YTV in Canada. It was created and hosted by puppeteer Shari Lewis, and featured her puppet character Lamb Chop. Appropriately, Lamb Chop was a sheep; other...
. Jeremy and Tarcher had been part of Shari Lewis's show on PBS. After her mother's death in 1998, on the advice of family friend the late Dom DeLuise
Dom DeLuise
Dominick "Dom" DeLuise was an American actor, comedian, film director, television producer, chef, and author. He was the husband of actress Carol Arthur from 1965 until his death and the father of: actor, director, pianist, and writer Peter DeLuise; actor David DeLuise; and actor Michael DeLuise...
, Tarcher decided that Lamb Chop should live on for her many fans and has begun performing with Lamb Chop. Upon relaunching Lamb Chop's career, Tarcher changed her surname to Lewis. While Lamb Chop may be described as "sassy", "please" and "thank you" are part of the repertoire
Repertory
Repertory or rep, also called stock in the United States, is a term used in Western theatre and opera.A repertory theatre can be a theatre in which a resident company presents works from a specified repertoire, usually in alternation or rotation...
. Lewis has the same hand size as her mother but differentiation is sung in a duet with Lamb Chop.
Lewis said of her decision to take up the puppet: "My mom was one of the world's greatest entertainers. I don't want to challenge that. I don't think it's wise to go there. But I do want to do everything that I can do for Lamb Chop. I'll help keep her going". Lewis had never attempted to imitate Lamb Chop's voice but upon receiving a posthumous award award for Shari, Lewis performed with the puppet, discovering that she had her mother's ability to effect the voice without lip movement
Ventriloquism
Ventriloquism, or ventriloquy, is an act of stagecraft in which a person manipulates his or her voice so that it appears that the voice is coming from elsewhere, usually a puppeteered "dummy"...
.
Lewis is also a writer, of children's books, some of which star Zoey
Zoey & Me (book series)
Zoey & Me is a children's book series written by Mallory Lewis, daughter of the late puppeteer Shari Lewis. It follows the experiences and escapades of 11-year-old Molly Miles and her new "baby sister" Zoey, an orangutan from the Los Angeles Zoo.-Plot:...
, a baby orangutan
Orangutan
Orangutans are the only exclusively Asian genus of extant great ape. The largest living arboreal animals, they have proportionally longer arms than the other, more terrestrial, great apes. They are among the most intelligent primates and use a variety of sophisticated tools, also making sleeping...
character she also puppeteers.
Lewis performs extensively for the USO
United Service Organizations
The United Service Organizations Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that provides morale and recreational services to members of the U.S. military, with programs in 160 centers worldwide. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense , and has provided support and...
, the Fisher House Foundation
Fisher House Foundation
Fisher House Foundation is best known for the network of comfort homes built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. The Fisher Houses are 5,000 to homes, donated to the military and Department of Veterans Affairs, where families can stay while a loved one is receiving treatment...
, other military support organizations, Performing Arts Centers and at state fairs around the country. In 2002, Lewis helped raise $275,000 for UCLA's Neuro-Oncology Program. as well as being a founder of Jump For The Cause a women's world record skydiving organization that has raised nearly 2mil for Breast Cancer Research. Lewis is also on the board of the Blue Ribbon.
Lewis was the creator and executive producer of Make Way For Noddy
Make Way for Noddy
Make Way for Noddy is an English CGI-animated series for children, produced by Chorion of the United Kingdom in conjunction with SD Entertainment and Shari Lewis Enterprises in the United States...
, Bob the Builder: Ready Steady Build
Bob the Builder
Bob the Builder is a British children's animated television show created by Keith Chapman. In the original series Bob appears as a building contractor specialising in masonry in a stop motion animated programme with his colleague Wendy, various neighbours and friends, and their gang of...
, Poppy Cat
Poppy Cat
Poppy Cat is the main character in a series of books created by British illustrator and writer Lara Jones. The books are published by Campbell Books . Several titles have been published including Poppy Cat's Play House, Poppy Cat's Christmas, Poppy Cat Loves Rainbows, Poppy Cat's Dream, and Poppy...
and Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps
Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps
Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps is a British and American CGI animated television series premiered on September 5, 2009, Nick Jr. in 2009, and Discovery Kids Latin America in 2010. A continuation of the Angelina Ballerina series of children's books by Katharine Holabird, the author and Helen...
.
Awards
Mallory Lewis has won an Emmy AwardEmmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
for Outstanding Writing in a Children's Series and nominated several times.
Personal life
Mallory Lewis was married to Brad Hood and has one son, James Abraham Tarcher Hood.Quotes
- Shari Lewis, on 12 year-old Mallory Lewis' relationship to Lamb Chop.- Jeremy Tarcher, on Mallory Lewis performing Lamp Chop's voice for the first time.
- Mallory Lewis, on hearing Lamp Chop's voice again.