The beloved comedian and actor Richard Lewis, who played a fictionalized version of himself on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, has suffered a heart attack and died. He was 76.
Lewis’ death was confirmed by his publicist, Jeff Abraham, to multiple media outlets. Abraham said Lewis died in his Los Angeles home, but did not say when.
“His wife, Joyce Lapinsky, thanks everyone for all the love, friendship and support and asks for privacy at this time,” Abraham said.
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Lewis had been battling Parkinson’s disease—a diagnosis he made public last spring.
Lewis announced in 2021 that he’d not appear in Season 11 of Curb so he could recover from surgeries related to Parkinson’s. Still, he made a surprise return in one Season 11 episode—something that earned him a hug from his co-star Larry David.
“When I walked in and they applauded, I felt like a million bucks,” he told Variety previously. “Larry doesn’t like to hug, and he hugged me and told me how happy he was after we shot our scene.”
David mourned the loss of Lewis in a statement, saying his talented friend was more like family.
“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 said. “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.”
In a statement, HBO said Lewis’ “comedic brilliance, wit and talent were unmatched.”
“We are heartbroken to learn that Richard Lewis has passed away,” said HBO’s statement. “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.”
Aside from Curb, in which Lewis played a New York City transplant living in Los Angeles, he also featured in Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Daddy Dearest, and 7th Heaven. He also had a long career as a stand-up comedian, performing across the country.
Lewis was born in Brooklyn to a mother who was an actress and a father who owned a catering business. He’s described himself as a class clown in high school, but he graduated with a degree in marketing from the Ohio State University before going into comedy as an adult.
After graduating, he did stand-up around New York City at night and worked as a copy writer for an advertising agency during the day.
Lewis was known for dark comedy and self-deprecation. He was also open about his battles with alcoholism, drug addiction, and neurosis. He was known to embrace a nickname that was given to him early in his career: Prince of Pain.
In a lengthy tribute to her former Anything But Love c0-star, Jamie Lee Curtis said Lewis was a “wonderful actor” and person, and the reason she’s now sober.
“I am forever grateful for him for that act of grace alone,” she said. “He found love with Joyce and that, of course, besides his sobriety, is what mattered most to him. I’m weeping as I write this. Strange way of saying thank you to a sweet and funny man. Rest in laughter, Richard.”
In a statement of his own, David said Lewis was like a brother to him.
“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 said. “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.”
