comedian richard lewis Died at the age of 76 after suffering a heart attack, his publicist announced on Wednesday. The comedian, most recently known for playing himself on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” was remembered by his friend and show creator Larry David and other stars.
“Richard and I were born three days apart in the same hospital and he has been like a brother to me for most of my life,” David said in a statement shared on the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” Instagram page. ” “He had that rare combination of being the funniest and sweetest person ever. But today he made me cry and I’ll never forgive him for that.”
Lewis and David first met at summer camp when they were 12 years old. The pair played fictional versions of themselves in the long-running HBO comedy about David, who co-created “Seinfeld.”
Photo by Charlie Gale/FilmMagic for HBO
Other “Curb” stars also remembered Lewis, who had a decades-long standup career and dozens of film and TV roles.
Cheryl Hines, who played David’s ex-wife on the show, wrote on X, “He would take time to tell the people he loved how much they meant to him.” Him and how much he loved me. To be loved by Richard Lewis. A true gift. I love you Richard. will miss you.”
In a statement to Entertainment Tonight, Susie Essman, who played David’s best friend and manager’s wife Susie Green on the show, called Lewis “an original brilliant voice that can’t be replaced.”
She said, “I was lucky to call him a friend. He made me laugh and was one of the most supportive and kind people I have ever known.”
Other stars also remember working with Lewis, including Jamie Lee Curtis, who starred with him in the sitcom “Anything But Love.” The pair played the role of a couple in the show. “I laughed when he mispronounced the word Bundt cake, which is how he got the role,” she wrote on Instagram.
He remembered Lewis’s trick of hiding scripts around the set to remember his lines. “It turned out he was an amazing actor. Deep and very funny.”
She referred to Lewis’s wife, Joyce Lapinski, saying, “He was loved by Joyce and certainly, other than his sobriety, that was the thing that mattered most to him. I’m crying as I write this.” “What a funny way to say thank you to a sweet and funny man. Keep laughing, Richard.”
Ben Stiller wrote on social media: “I have never met a kinder, more empathetic comedy genius. He was so funny and deep. As a stand-up he was truly iconic in the 70s. Cool, funny. , self-deprecating and brilliant. He was a friend of my parents and the entire Stiller family.”
Director Paul Feig said that Lewis was his “hero”. “Absolutely gutted by this news. Richard was my hero when I used to be a stand-up. I was lucky enough to know him and he was the most amazing guy. So helpful and kind and really the warmest guy on the planet.” One of the funniest guys,” he wrote on social media.
Cary Elwes, who starred with Lewis in “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” said she and Lewis were planning to get together recently. He wrote on social media, “Apart from your remarkable talent there was no one sweeter or more generous than you, my friend. I miss you already and forever. Rest in Power, Richard. Joyce, her family and fans.” Our deepest condolences.”
A statement about Lewis was also posted by HBO. “We are saddened to learn that Richard Lewis has passed away. His comedic talent, wit and genius were unmatched,” the social media post read. “Richard will always be a beloved member of the HBO and Curb Your Enthusiasm families. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and all the fans who can count on Richard to brighten their day with laughter.”
Lewis revealed last year that he has Parkinson’s disease and was retiring from standup, he said A video posted on social media, Despite his illness, he continued filming scenes for the final season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. In a recent episode, she and David argue over what Lewis will leave for her in his will. David insists that he does not need the money.
Lewis told him on the show, “When I die I want you to know how much I cared about you.” “You’re my best friend, you understand.”
Caitlin O’Kane
