Comedian Richard Lewis died Tuesday night at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 76.
Lewis, who acted in HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” died of a heart attack, according to Variety.
Lewis had many health struggles throughout the years.
He announced last April he was retiring from stand-up comedy after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, according to Variety.
In 2021, he appeared in one episode of season 11 of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” after announcing he would not be in the season at all due to recovering from three surgeries, the outlet reported.
“When I walked in and they applauded, I felt like a million bucks. Larry (David) doesn’t like to hug, and he hugged me and told me how happy he was after we shot our scene,” Lewis told Variety at that time.
Lewis started in show business in 1979 in “Diary of a Young Comic” and gained more exposure with appearances on “The Tonight Show” and the “Late Show With David Letterman” in the 1980s and 1990s, according to Variety, which added He went on to do specials on HBO and Showtime.
He starred against Jamie Lee Curtis in “Anything but Love,” which ran on ABC from 1989 to 1992.
Other shows he was in include “Daddy Dearest” and “Hiller and Diller,” Variety reported.
His film roles include “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” “Leaving Las Vegas,” “Hugo Pool” and “Drunks.”
HBO and Larry David from “Curb Your Enthusiasm” issued a statement to Variety.
“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,” the statement read.
HBO, for its part, added, “We are heartbroken to learn that Richard Lewis has passed away. His comedic brilliance, wit and talent were unmatched. 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.”
Lewis leaves behind his wife, Joyce Lapinsky.
