Comedy Legend Richard Lewis Dies At 76

Renowned comedian Richard Lewis, famous for his stand-up performances and memorable role on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, died on Tuesday night at his Los Angeles home after he suffered a heart attack. He was 76 years old.

The news of Lewis’s death was confirmed by his publicist, Jeff Abraham. Lewis had been living with Parkinson’s disease, a diagnosis he revealed in April 2023. In a statement, Lewis’s wife, Joyce Lapinsky, expressed gratitude for the love, friendship and support people had extended, and asked for privacy at this difficult time.

Born as Richard Philip Lewis on June 29, 1947, in Brooklyn and raised in Englewood, New Jersey, Lewis went on to graduate from Ohio State University. He emerged in the 1970s comedy scenes of New York and Los Angeles alongside future stars like Andy Kaufman, Richard Belzer and Elayne Boosler. Lewis quickly gained popularity and made appearances on late-night shows such as The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Lewis developed a style that seamlessly blended comedy and therapy, and often delved into dark and self-deprecating humor. He became known for his sharp wit and brutal honesty about his addictions and neuroses. Mel Brooks once described Lewis as the “Franz Kafka of modern-day comedy,” a testament to his unique talent.

Lewis made his acting debut in the 1979 NBC special Diary of a Young Comic. His national profile grew over the next two decades, thanks to his edgy observations, which were well-received by talk show hosts like David Letterman, Jay Leno and Howard Stern. He went on to star in several TV comedy specials, which included those on HBO and Showtime.

Despite his distinctive style, Lewis also ventured into sitcoms and films. He co-starred with Jamie Lee Curtis in the late ’80s/early ’90s sitcom Anything But Love and appeared alongside Don Rickles in Daddy Dearest in 1993. Lewis played Prince John in the 1993 film Robin Hood: Men in Tights and had a role in the critically acclaimed Leaving Las Vegas in the same year.

In 2000, Lewis secured what would become his signature role, where he portrayed a fictionalized version of himself on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, created by his childhood friend Larry David. The show became a massive hit, and Lewis’s portrayal endeared him to audiences worldwide.

In addition to his successful career in comedy, Lewis authored two memoirs: The Other Great Depression in 2000 and Reflections From Hell: Richard Lewis’ Guide on How Not to Live, co-authored with Carl Nicholas Titolo, in 2015. He also released DVD box sets that documented his career and performances.

Lewis’s comedy was marked by the confessional and introspective nature that addressed his lifelong struggle with anxiety and his journey toward sobriety after battling alcoholism and drug addiction. He embraced the nickname “The Prince of Pain,” a moniker that reflected his ability to find humor in life’s challenges.