Richard Lewis has died at the age of 76 after a years-long battle with Parkinson’s disease, it has been confirmed.
Bette Midler was first to announce news of the comedian’s death on X, writing: ‘On a sad note, the great Richard Lewis has died.’
The Curb Your Enthusiasm star Lewis – who is survived by his wife Joyce Lapinsky – had an illustrious career in Hollywood as an actor, writer, and comedian.
Variety confirmed Lewis had passed due to a heart attack.
His publicist Jeff Abraham confirmed his death in a statement shared with Deadline: ‘His wife, Joyce Lapinsky, thanks everyone for all the love, friendship and support and asks for privacy at this time.’
Curb Your Enthusiasm star and creator Larry David paid tribute to his co-star in a statement shared by HBO.
‘Richard and I were born three days apart in the same hospital and for most of my life he’s been like a brother to me,’ David said in the statement, according to Variety.
Actor Richard Lewis has died at the age of 76; pictured 2015
‘He had that rare combination of being the funniest person and also the sweetest. But today he made me sob and for that I’ll never forgive him.’
Lewis’ passing came just one week after an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm showed him joking about his death and will.
David had recently alluded to Richard’s health struggles, saying he was sad his ‘pal, my great friend’ could not be at the season 10 premiere of the hit show, earlier this year on January 31.
Richard then confirmed he wasn’t up to making it there in a tweet that same night, writing: ‘I sure wish I was up to making the premiere. I would’ve loved to have shared all the love in the room with my wife. @HBO and LD made a dream come true for countless dreamers.’
In what would be his final post on X, Richard was full of praise for the show, saying: ‘What a night! I loved Episode 3 of #curbyourenthusiasm’. The tweet was posted on February 18.
Lewis was born three days earlier than David, the creator of Curb Your Enthusiasm. They were born in the same city – Brooklyn – and year – 1947.
Lewis’ credits include a long-standing role as a fictionalized version of himself on the smash comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm. He returned for the series’ 12th and final season, which debuted this year.
Lewis also had roles in Robin Hood: Men In Tights, Daddy Dearest, and in the comedy series Anything But Love, which saw him star opposite Jamie Lee Curtis.
Richard began his comedy career in New York and Los Angeles in the late 1970s and rapidly became a late-night TV favourite on shows including ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’.
Lewis played a fictionalized version of himself on Curb Your Enthusiasm; pictured with Larry David (L)
As a comedian, Lewis has had numerous comedy specials
Lewis became nicknamed ‘The Prince of Pain’ due to his comedic stylings; pictured in 2012
Last year, Lewis announced his retirement from stand-up after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease; pictured 2005
Lewis – who became nicknamed ‘The Prince of Pain’ due to his comedic stylings – has had numerous comedy specials, including 1985’s I’m In Pain, 1988’s I’m Exhausted, and 1997’s Richard Lewis: The Magical Misery Tour.
Lewis was named by Comedy Central as one of the top 50 stand-up comedians of all time. He also landed on GQ magazine’s 20th Century´s Most Influential Humorists.
In 2014, the Los Angeles Times wrote of him: ‘Watching his stand-up is like sitting in on a very funny and often dark therapy session.’
Lewis became sober in 1994 after struggling with substance abuse. In August, he marked nearly three decades of sobriety on X, posting a snap of himself along with the message: ’29 YEARS SOBER.’
When Lewis returned to Curb Your Enthusiasm in 2021 following several health issues, he told Variety: ‘I’ve devoted my life to comedy and my sobriety the last almost 27 years. I’m overwhelmed with joy right now. I never learned how to keep joy in my head for more than a minute, but I’m breaking all records for my life today.
Last year, Lewis announced his retirement from stand-up after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. At the time, he had been battling the disease for the past two years.
Curb Your Enthusiasm star and creator Larry David paid tribute to his co-star in a statement shared by HBO
Lewis pictured with David on the Curb Your Enthusiasm episode The Bracelet
Lewis pictured on the latest episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm
Lewis was last pictured in 2021 with his wife Joyce Lapinsky
Lewis and his wife were seen in Los Angeles
He told fans he had experienced a “rocky time” he’s had over the last three-and-a-half years, which included four consecutive surgeries on his back, shoulder, and hip, and being told he had the progressive condition two years ago after seeking help when he “started walking a little stiffly” and “shuffling” his feet.
He said in a video shared to X: “Here’s really what happened. Three and half years ago I was in the middle of a tour and I finally ended it with a show. I said, ‘You know I’m at the top of my game, after 15 years almost I’m going to call it quits,’ and I felt great about that and then out of the blue the s*** hit the fan. I had four surgeries back to back to back to back, it was incredible, I couldn’t believe it, it was bad luck, but that’s life…
“I went to a neurologist and they gave me a brain scan and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and that was about two years ago.
“I got it late in life, and they say you progress very slowly if at all.
“I just wanted you to know that that’s where it’s been at.
He returned for the series’ 12th and final season, which debuted this year; pictured with David on season 10
Lewis pictured on Curb Your Enthusiasm
Lewis is survived by his wife Joyce Lapinsky; pictured 2018
His illustrious career includes the role of Prince John in Robin Hood: Men in Tights
Bette Midler was first to announce news of the comedian’s death on X, writing: ‘On a sad note, the great Richard Lewis has died’
Jamie Lee Curtis, who starred opposite Lewis in Anything But Love, paid tribute to her co-star
“I’m finished with stand-up, I’m just focusing on writing and acting. I have Parkinson’s disease but I’m under a doctor’s care and everything is cool.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, Parkinson’s disease ‘is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves. Symptoms start slowly.
‘Tremors are common, but the disorder may also cause stiffness or slowing of movement,’ according to the site.
Numerous celebrities paid tribute to Lewis following news of his death, including Paul Feig and Jamie Lee Curtis.
HBO released a statement remembering the comic following his passing: ‘We are heartbroken to learn that Richard Lewis has passed away. His comedic brilliance, wit and talent were unmatched. Richard will always be a cherished member of the HBO and Curb Your Enthusiasm families, our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and all the fans who could count on Richard to brighten their days with laughter.’