Comedian and actor Richard Lewis, best known for roles in HBO series ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and the movie ‘Robin Hood: Men in Tights’, has died aged 76. His publicist, Jeff Abraham, announced that he died at home in Los Angeles after a heart attack. His wife, Joyce Lapinsky, thanked everyone for their love, friendship, and support, and requested respect for her privacy.
Lewis shared in public last year that he was battling Parkinson’s disease. He had a unique, dark sense of humor which began in comedy clubs and later included performances on late-night shows like ‘The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson’ during the 70s and 80s.
Apart from his work on TV and the silver screen, Lewis starred in the ABC sitcom ‘Anything but Love’, a comedic love story featuring him and Jamie Lee Curtis as colleagues in a Chicago magazine office. On ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’, he acted as a fictional version of himself in the 12th season, which is currently on air.
In movies, he is best known for playing Prince John in Mel Brooks’ comedy film ‘Robin Hood: Men in Tights’. He also starred with Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue in the award-winning drama, ‘Leaving Las Vegas’.
He decided to retire from stand-up comedy after nearly half a century, announcing his decision in April 2023 on X, previously known as Twitter. There, he also revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis, which was made about two years earlier.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, he shared how his disease forced him to reflect on life saying, “I’ve had such an amazing life. I’m a lucky man,” and that he’d been grateful and accepting of his condition.
Lewis was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Englewood, New Jersey. He openly talked about his challenges with mental health and addiction in his comedy performances and writings, including his 2015 book ‘Reflections From Hell: Richard Lewis’ Guide on How Not to Live.’
‘His co-star and close friend Larry David, who was born three days apart in the same hospital as Lewis, released a heartfelt statement. He referred to Lewis as the ‘funniest and sweetest’ person, like a brother to him, and humorously expressed his grief by saying, “But today he made me sob, and for that, I’ll never forgive him.”
