TURNING ANXIETY TO HILARITY
‘Curb’s Richard Lewis, 76, dies
Richard Lewis, the comedian and co-star of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” has died, The Post can confirm. He was 76.
The Brooklyn-born Lewis died at his Los Angeles home after suffering a heart attack on Tuesday night.
“His wife, Joyce Lapinsky, thanks everyone for all the love, friendship, and support and asks for privacy at this time,” his publicist, Jeff Abraham, said in a statement.
Lewis announced in April that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and was retiring from stand-up comedy.
“I have Parkinson’s disease, but I’m under a doctor’s care and everything is cool,” he said in a video posted to X at the time. “I’m finished with standup. I’m just focusing on writing and acting from here on out.
“But you know, the last three and a half years I’ve had sort of a rocky time,” the “Leaving Las Vegas” actor lamented. “And people have said, ‘Gee I haven’t heard from you, are you still touring?’ Well, here’s really what happened.”
‘Such an amazing life’
Lewis, who starred alongside Larry David in “Curb Your Enthusiasm” as a semi-fictionalized version of himself, spoke about his Parkinson’s diagnosis in a Vanity Fair interview published last week amid the show’s 12th and final season.
“It changed my outlook in that it’s been a combination of forcing myself to look back and be grateful. I’ve had such an amazing life. I still do. I’m a lucky man,” he said.
David eulogized his longtime friend in a tribute shared by HBO.
“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 wrote. “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.”
In 2021, Lewis said that he would only appear in one episode of “Curb” Season 11 due to having pain during filming.
An HBO spokesperson told The Post in a statement Wednesday: “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,” it read.
Known for his neurotic, selfdeprecating style, Lewis made his acting debut in 1979’s “Diary of a Young Comic.” A Showtime comedy special, “I’m in Pain,” followed in 1985, as did several for HBO — “I’m Exhausted” (1988), “I’m Doomed” (1990) and “The Magical Misery Tour” (1997).
Lewis is also known for costarring with Jamie Lee Curtis in the sitcom “Anything but Love” and dozens of late-night appearances with the likes of Johnny Carson, David Letterman and Conan O’Brien.
In 2000, he released his memoir, “The Other Great Depression,” a collection of essays after getting sober from drugs and alcohol in 1994.