Richard Lewis passed away at his residence following a heart attack on Tuesday evening.
Richard Lewis, the renowned stand-up comedian and a fixture on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” passed away, as confirmed by his publicist.
Lewis, who was 76 years old, suffered a fatal heart attack at his residence in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, as per his publicist, Jeff Abraham.
In April, Lewis had disclosed that he was battling Parkinson’s disease.
In a statement, Abraham conveyed Joyce Lapinsky, Lewis’ wife, appreciation for the outpouring of love, companionship, and assistance, while also requesting privacy during this difficult period.
Currently, Lewis can be seen in the final season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” alongside Larry David on HBO.
David expressed his grief on Wednesday over the loss of his lifelong friend.
David stated that Richard and he were born just three days apart in the same hospital, and throughout his life, Richard has been like a brother to him. David mentioned that Richard possessed a unique blend of humor and kindness. However, David expressed that Richard’s actions today brought him to tears, and he will never be able to forgive him for that.
Lewis, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Englewood, New Jersey, ventured into stand-up comedy in New York City during the early 1970s. He shared the stage with renowned comedians such as Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Andy Kaufman, Richard Belzer, and Elayne Boosler before catching the eye of comedian David Brenner, who helped launch his career. By the mid-1970s, he had already made an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”
Lewis gained fame as a dark comedian, both literally and figuratively, recognized for his all-black attire and frequently performing self-deprecating sets about his neuroses and addictions.
Lewis first appeared on television with “Diary of a Young Comic,” a 90-minute film that aired on NBC in 1979, but it was his consistent late-night show appearances during the ’80s and ’90s that truly propelled him to stardom.
During those decades, he became a comedy icon, headlining numerous stand-up specials on Showtime and HBO, and making memorable appearances on events like the Comic Relief fundraisers.
He starred opposite Jamie Lee Curtis in the sitcom “Anything but Love,” which ran from 1988 to 1992, followed by roles in several short-lived sitcoms and films in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
In an Instagram tribute, Curtis praised Lewis for his outstanding audition performance, mentioning that he secured the role when she couldn’t contain her laughter at his mispronunciation of “Bundt cake.” She described him as a talented actor with depth and a great sense of humor.
Curtis revealed that Lewis had reached out to ABC and Disney in his final text to advocate for another boxed set of episodes for the show. She credited Lewis for helping her maintain sobriety, expressing eternal gratitude for his kindness. Curtis ended her tribute by bidding farewell to Lewis, acknowledging his humor and sweetness.
In the year 2000, Lewis established himself as a regular presence on the television show “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” portraying an exaggerated version of himself, much like David, the show’s main protagonist and creator.
Currently airing what David asserts to be its last season, the show showcases Lewis in his familiar role as a cantankerous character who frequently joins David on the golf course. In one storyline during the fifth season, David even generously donates a kidney to Lewis.
David and Lewis share a long history together. Although they were born just days apart at a Brooklyn hospital, they officially crossed paths for the first time when they were both 12 years old, while attending a summer camp.
Lewis and David had a tumultuous relationship during their teenage years at a summer sports camp. According to Lewis, their conflicts began right from the start. In a 2015 interview with New Jersey Monthly, Lewis humorously claimed, “I firmly believe that Larry attempted to throttle me with my own mother’s umbilical cord.”
Reflecting on their past, Lewis mentioned that he excelled as an athlete during their time at camp, whereas “Larry was an awkward and irritating individual.” However, their dynamic took a positive turn when they crossed paths again as adults in the vibrant New York comedy scene.
In 2015, Lewis expressed his dislike towards him, stating, “I hated him.” However, their relationship took a turn years later when they both pursued careers as young comedians in New York. One night, Lewis made an observation, saying, “There’s something about you I hate.” To his surprise, he realized that the person he was referring to was none other than Larry David from their summer camp days. In response, Larry recognized Lewis and said, “You’re that Richard Lewis.” The situation escalated to the point where they almost got into a physical altercation.
Following Richard Lewis’ passing, a spokesperson from HBO, the network that aired “Curb” and several of Lewis’ comedy specials, expressed their deep sorrow. In a statement, they conveyed their heartbreak and acknowledged Lewis’ unparalleled comedic brilliance, wit, and talent. The spokesperson emphasized that Richard will forever hold a special place within the HBO and Curb Your Enthusiasm families. They extended their heartfelt condolences to Lewis’ family, friends, and all the fans who relied on him to bring laughter into their lives.