Richard Lewis dead at 76: Curb Your Enthusiasm comic suffered from Parkinson’s disease in ‘rocky’ years before death
CURB Your Enthusiasm star Richard Lewis has died from a heart attack.
On Wednesday, Richard received many tributes on social media from fans, as well as co-star Larry David and Hollywood actress Bette Midler.
The fan-favorite stand-up comedian was 76 as his death was confirmed by Deadline.
His publicist later confirmed it was due to a heart attack on Tuesday.
Richard was a comedian who came to prominence in the 1980s.
He gained widespread exposure after appearing on several late-night talk shows like The Tonight Show, The Late Show With David Letterman, and The Howard Stern Show.
The TV and movie star played a fictionalized version of himself on the hit HBO series, Curb Your Enthusiasm – and even reprised his role for the 12th season alongside Larry David.
He also appeared in Robin Hood: Men In Tights, Once Upon A Crime, The Elevator, and the sitcom Anything But Love.
HIS PARKINSON’S BATTLE
In April 2023, Richard took to his X, formerly Twitter, account to discuss his health.
“Three and a half years ago, I was in the middle of a tour and then I finally ended it with a show I said ‘You know, I’m at the top of my game, after 50 years almost I’m just gonna call it quits.'”
“Then, out of the blue, the s**t 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 it’s life, you know?”
“I had back surgery, then I had a shoulder surgery, then I had a shoulder replacement surgery, and a hip replacement. So, you know, there was much where I was just focusing on [physical therapy].”
“On top of all that, two years ago, I started walking a little stiffly, I was shuffling my feet and I went to a neurologist and they gave me a brain scan and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.”
He revealed that he was lucky enough to have caught the disease early enough that it would progress slowly and he was on the right medications so he was “cool.”
He continued that he was all finished with standup comedy and that he wanted to focus on writing and acting.
LARRY DAVID’S TRIBUTE
On Wednesday, Larry shared an emotional tribute in a statement shared by HBO.
He said, “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. 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.”
‘A COMEDY ICON’
Friends and fans flooded social media to share their condolences and funny moments of Richard on Curb Your Enthusiasm.
“On a sad note, the great Richard Lewis has died,” Bette tweeted.
“A brilliantly funny man who will missed by all. The world needed him now more than ever,” actor Albert Brooks said.
“Richard Lewis and Larry’s friendship was always one of the best parts of Curb. RIP,” one fan tweeted.
“Richard Lewis forever,” stated another, “Rest in peace to a comedy icon.”
A third wrote, “Richard Lewis was not just a comic but somebody who left everything on the table. His vulnerability was simply charming. We lost a good one.”
MORE ABOUT RICHARD’S WIFE
Richard and Joyce Lapinsky met in 1998. At that time, Joyce worked in music publishing.
The two reportedly met at an album release party for Beatles legend Ringo Starr.
The two were engaged in 2004 and by 2005, they had tied the knot.
