Comedian Richard Lewis Passes Away

(LibertyInsider.org) – A beloved comedian who was best known for reprising a fictional version of himself on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” has passed away. According to a statement from his publicist, Jeff Abraham, Richard Lewis died after suffering a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles on February 28.

Lewis, 76, had reportedly been suffering from a number of health problems for several years, including Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Lapinsky, and many of his closest friends within the industry and outside of it.

Born in 1947 in Brooklyn, New York, to actor William Lewis and caterer Blanche Lewis, the comedian was reportedly drawn to comedy and the arts from a very young age. While he chose to study marketing and communication at Ohio State University in his early 20s, the call to pursue a career in comedy remained ever-present in his mind.

BREAKING: Richard Lewis, the actor and comedian known for his long-running stand-up career and recurring role on the hit HBO series "Curb Your Enthusiasm," has died at 76, his publicist announced Wednesday. https://t.co/RpYl95Rxyr

— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 28, 2024

By the time he was approaching 30, Lewis was living in New York, where he had the opportunity to perform in comedy clubs, including well-known locations like The Improv and Catch a Rising Star. It was here, in these venues, that he began to lay a firm foundation for what would later become a successful 50-year career in television, film, and writing.

Lewis’ popularity continued to climb well into the 1980s. He eventually started making appearances on Late Night With David Letterman regularly. His slightly neurotic yet entirely lovable persona eventually made him a household name.

But Lewis’ first true break in acting came in the early 1990s when he starred alongside Jamie Lee Curtis in ABC’s sitcom Anything But Love. While the show itself was canceled in 1992, it proved the versatility of his talents.

Just eight years later, Lewis agreed to join the cast of Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” David invited him to play his fictional best friend in the show. Lewis’ hilarious performances ended up playing a critical role in the series’ success over 24 seasons.

In an Instagram post, David expressed sorrow over Lewis’ death, stating that the two were close enough to qualify as brothers. In true comedic fashion, he then made light of the tragedy. “But today, he made me sob, and for that, I’ll never forgive him.”