Screen stars lead tributes to Curb Your Enthusiasm funnyman Lewis

Curb Your Enthusiasm actor Cheryl Hines has remembered co-star Richard Lewis as “one of the most loving people I know”.

The acclaimed US comedian died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday at the age of 76 after suffering a heart attack, his publicist said.

Paying tribute on Instagram, Hines, 58, who starred opposite Lewis in the sitcom in which she played Larry David’s wife, said: “When I was young I had the biggest crush on Richard Lewis.

“He was the funniest person on stage and the most handsome comedian. Then, when I was cast on Curb Your Enthusiasm, I got to work with him, and it was a dream come true.

“Through the years I learned who Richard really was and the gifts he gave. Yes, he was the comedian I fell in love with, but he was also one of the most loving people I know.

“He would take time to tell the people he loved what they meant to him – especially in recent years.

“In between takes on Curb, he would tell me how special I was to him and how much he loved me. To be loved by Richard Lewis. A true gift. I love you, Richard.”

Jamie Lee Curtis, who starred opposite Lewis in the US sitcom Anything But Love, said the comedian is the reason why she is now sober.

She wrote on Instagram: “I remember exactly where I was when I saw a billboard of him about a stand-up special on Sunset Boulevard when we were casting Anything But Love and asked the casting people to bring him in to audition to play my best friend/maybe boyfriend, Marty Gold.

“I thought he was handsome. He made me laugh, which is the one thing that a strong, capable woman can’t really do for herself.”

She added: “Richard’s last text to me, was hoping that I could convince Abc/disney to put out another boxed set of episodes of the show.

“He also is the reason I am sober. He helped me.

“I am forever grateful for him for that act of grace alone. I’m weeping as I write this.”

Others to have paid tribute include actor Ben Stiller and Beatles member Ringo Starr.