It has been over two decades since the loveable, cuddly, little Emmanuel Lewis made his debut on his hit TV show, "Webster", yet he still gets fan mail. The ABC series star reveals, "The only place I can go where I'm not mobbed is my house."
The show first aired in 1983 and starred Lewis in the title role as a young boy who, after losing his parents, is adopted by his NFL-pro godfather, portrayed by Alex Karras, and his new socialite wife, played by Susan Clark. The focus was largely on how this impulsively married couple had to adjust to their new lives and sudden parenthood, but it was Lewis' character, "Webster," who drove much of the episode storylines.
For his role on the television series, Lewis was nominated for four Young Artist Awards. Lewis was also the child spokesperson for the Burger King Whopper. Lewis is a recipient of three "People's Choice Awards" in the 1980s, as well as several other awards for the numerous commercials he appeared in.
He hit his maximum height at 40 inches and stopped growing, making him one of showbiz's shortest men.
Emmanuel Lewis's mother took him to doctors, worried that her son's peers were growing, while hers remained the same. However, doctors, after examining him, said there was no reason for his poor growth.
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What is He Up to Now?
Lewis, now 5, appears not to have aged much since his sitcom days, a fact that he insists isn't attributable to any debilitating medical condition. He divides his time between houses in Atlanta and L.A., both of which he shares with his mother and four siblings.
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He also had huge fame in Japan; recording a song that topped the Japanese music charts, and starred in a television movie, made for Japanese audiences.
Since the show, Lewis has appeared in numerous TV shows, game shows and in Japan he's had a flourishing singing career. 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.
Its surprising that even in his 50's, Lewis hasn't had any health issues whatsoever.
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Lewis, who was born in Brooklyn, New York currently stands 4 ft, 3in, in height and keeps in shape through healthy eating and his love for the martial art Tae Kwon Do. He's an avid practicer of the art form and is a certified Black Belt. There are two main benefits that Lewis gets from Tae Kwon Do:
I. Self-Discipline
Taekwondo offers a variety of movements, patterns, strikes, kicks and punches that keep the mind stimulated and the body strong. Learning to control your movements, perfect your forms and memorize patterns takes concentration and focus.
II. Exercise
Taekwondo provides all-around exercise benefits, from stretching to aerobic moves.
Regardless of your current physical fitness level, beginners in taekwondo learn basic moves that gradually strengthen and tone the body, increase flexibility and stamina and improve endurance.
Each pattern in taekwondo builds on the basics of the pattern before it, gradually offering the student increasing mental and physical challenges.
Muscle toning and strengthening, joint range of motion, balance and endurance improve as you perfect your taekwondo skills and aptitude.
As your exercise levels and skills progress, you have more energy, strength, coordination and endurance.
Practicing the ancient Chinese martial art may help improve the range of motion for people with rheumatoid arthritis according to a new study. In the study, a small control group diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis were given a beginner to intermediate Tae Kwon Do program to follow for 90 days. The results of the study showed that physical fitness for muscle endurance, flexibility, and agility were significantly improved in the experimental group.
In the mid-1990s, Lewis was an active performer on the Tokyo Broadcasting Network, and in 1998, he toured with a stand-up comedy act, in the United States and Canada.
Emmanuel Lewis continues to practice family morals and values, turning down offers to play an urban gang member.
Expanding his talents as an entrepreneur, Lewis, at one point owned a limousine company and a car wash service.
In June of 2000, Lewis created a state-of-the-art, multi-million dollar recording studio on his 12-acre Georgian estate giving rise to his record label, Emmanuel Lewis Entertainment. Lewis works with up and coming groups and solo talent.
