(TheRedAlertNews.com) – In a sudden loss, Richard Lewis, renowned for his comedic talent and his role in “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” has passed away at the age of 76, less than a year after he announced he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and was retiring from standup comedy.
See Lewis’s recent photo in the tweet below!
Lewis died at his residence in Los Angeles, California, succumbing to a heart attack on Tuesday evening, The New York Post reports.
“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 formal statement.
Last April, Lewis shared news of his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, announcing his retirement from standup comedy.
“I have Parkinson’s disease, but I’m under a doctor’s care and everything is cool,” he disclosed in a video on X.
“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. And people have said, ‘Gee I haven’t heard from you, are you still touring?’ Well, here’s really what happened,” Lewis explained at the time.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Lewis delved into his Parkinson’s diagnosis, revealing how it has reshaped his perspective on life.
“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 stated.
“If you don’t accept [the diagnosis], then it lingers around your brain and you get morbid and depressed. You lose energy,” the comic explained.
Lewis had to limit his appearance to one episode in the 11th season of “Curb” due to pain experienced during filming but returned for the 12th and final season, which premiered earlier this month on HBO, with the finale scheduled for April 7.
The Post notes Lewis’s unique neurotic and self-critical comedic style was first showcased in his acting debut in the 1979 film “Diary of a Young Comic,” followed by a series of HBO comedy specials and a role alongside Jamie Lee Curtis in “Anything but Love.”
His filmography also includes titles like “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” and “Leaving Las Vegas.”
Comedy Central recognized him as one of the top 50 standup comedians, and in 2000, he published “The Other Great Depression,” a memoir reflecting on his life and recovery from substance abuse. He leaves behind his wife, Joyce.
‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ star and comedy legend Richard Lewis dead at 76 https://t.co/amJnakMWoj pic.twitter.com/AjKrSYGRPy
— New York Post (@nypost) February 28, 2024
