Three days after saying goodbye to her beloved husband, Joyce Lapinsky reached out to comedian Richard Lewis’ fans. She wanted to express her gratitude for their loving tributes and suggested a way for them to remember him.
Joyce, Richard’s wife, wrote on his fan page, “Thank you for your warm tributes. Both Richard and I are deeply moved. In answer to your questions, I believe that Richard would be pleased with donations in his memory to the Los Angeles charity, Comedy Gives Back.”
The stated charity describes itself as a non-profit organization designed to assist comedians when they require help. It aims to establish a safety net for the comedy community.
According to People magazine, Lewis and Lapinsky met at a Ringo Starr album launch party in 1998. They got engaged in 2004 and were married a year later. Starr was among the many paying tribute to Lewis, sharing a picture of the three of them and adding, “God bless, Richard Lewis peace and love to Joyce.”
A few weeks before his death, Lewis made a heartfelt tribute to Lapinsky, posting a photo of them together with the caption, “Keaton had his Eleanor, I have my Joyce.” Lewis was referencing Buster Keaton and his wife Eleanor, who played a significant role in reviving his career in the 1950s and preserving his memory after his death in 1966.
The couple’s love story began after Lewis had overcome his battle with drugs and alcohol. Lewis once said of their relationship, “I’ve found peace and serenity. On stage, I still tap into my endless pool of unhappy memories…In real life, I’m still quirky, but I’m far happier and more thankful than I’ve ever been.” This heartfelt relationship between Richard Lewis and Joyce Lapinsky is certain to be cherished by fans, helping his memory live on.
