WWW- COMEDY legend Jerry Lewis got cranky after he gave a speech at a Las Vegas convention this week, confiscating an advance copy of his uncoming autobiography, “Dean and Me: A Love Story” (Doubleday), from a fan who asked for an autograph.

The “Nutty Professor” star delivered an anti-piracy spiel at the VSDA Home Entertainment Convention, then went ballistic when fan Will Keenan presented an advance copy of Lewis’ book and asked him to sign it. Lewis refused to return the book until Keenan got on his knees and begged, explaining he’d acquired it legitimately. The cantankerous comic relented and returned the tome, which goes on sale in October, with an autograph. Lewis was unavailable for comment.