Mallory Lewis - Biography

Mallory Hurwitz Lewis (née Tarcher; changed her name legally in honor of her mother, Shari 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.

Early life

Mallory Lewis was born Mallory Tarcher in New York City. She is the daughter of Jeremy Tarcher and Shari Lewis, 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-Along. 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.