CNN
—
Comic and actor Richard Lewis, whose self-deprecating humor and acerbic wit in exhibits like “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Something however Love” entertained audiences for many years, has died, in keeping with his publicist Jeff Abraham. He was 76.
Abraham mentioned in an electronic mail to CNN that the entertainer handed away “peacefully” at his dwelling in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening after having a coronary heart assault.
In April of 2023, Richard revealed that he had been dwelling with Parkinson’s illness.
Often called a comic book’s comedian, Lewis made his first look on “The Tonight Present Starring Johnny Carson” in 1974, turning into a staple of the late-night comedy scene.
On display, Lewis has performed himself for years on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” reverse his buddy Larry David, at one level joking throughout an episode this season about which considered one of them regarded worse.
As his profession blossomed with cable specials within the Nineteen Eighties, Lewis additionally migrated into appearing roles, starring reverse Jamie Lee Curtis within the sitcom “Something however Love,” enjoying Prince John in Mel Brooks’ film comedy “Robin Hood: Males in Tights” and branching out into drama as a struggling alcoholic within the 1995 movie “Drunks.”
In a press release, a spokesperson for HBO (which, like CNN, is a unit of Warner Bros. Discovery), mentioned Lewis’ “comedic brilliance, wit and expertise had been unmatched.”
“Richard will at all times be a cherished member of the HBO and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ households, our heartfelt condolences exit to his household, pals and all of the followers who might depend on Richard to brighten their days with laughter,” the assertion learn.
Arguably greatest identified for his function on “Curb,” Lewis only in the near past shared that the choice to play himself on the hit sequence was creator David’s thought.
“It’s spectacularly distinctive to have the ability to be in a scene the place different actors usually are not themselves and I’m myself,” Lewis instructed Self-importance Truthful in an interview that was printed earlier this month.
Lewis and David’s relationship prolonged past the display, having been in one another’s lives since their 20s. Their friendship is the mechanism that led David to asking Lewis to affix the forged of “Curb.”
Calling David “the very best buddy you might ever think about,” Lewis mentioned within the interview that “the present offers me one other car to precise my emotions to Larry, as a result of we’re the oldest of pals.”
Upon studying of his buddy’s dying on Wednesday, David mentioned in a press release to CNN by way of HBO, “Richard and I had been born three days aside in the identical hospital and for many of my life he’s been like a brother to me. He had that uncommon mixture of being the funniest particular person and in addition the sweetest. However at the moment he made me sob and for that I’ll by no means forgive him.”
Born in Brooklyn and raised in New Jersey, Lewis attended Ohio State College, writing advert copy whereas moonlighting by writing jokes for comedians earlier than he started his stand-up profession.
A candid and genuine comedian
Lewis was candid in interviews and thru his comedy about his struggles with alcoholism and dependancy. In a 2017 interview with CNN, he mirrored on how his many years of sobriety (he had been sober since 1994) impacted his comedy profession.
“I used to be hellbent on being sincere as a comic from the get-go and I used to be,” he mentioned.
“But it surely wasn’t till I admitted that I used to be a drunk and an alcoholic… And once I received clear and sober is when my comedy actually took off for me personally as a result of then I used to be actually myself on stage.”
Lewis carried out stand-up comedy for 50 years till he took his closing bow in 2018 at Chicago’s Zanies. He was identified for turning his private neuroses – and struggles – into the main target of his act.
“There’s simply part of me that’s at all times going to be by no means completely comfortable,” he mentioned in a 2020 interview with the Washington Publish.
However that sentiment wasn’t at all times reflective of his actuality. “I’m thrilled to be alive,” he mentioned on the time. “I’m grateful for who’s in my life. I’ve received nice pals, an excellent spouse, a canine, and I’ve an excellent profession.”
Lewis’ consultant mentioned the comedian’s spouse, Joyce Lapinsky, thanked “everybody for all of the love, friendship and assist and asks for privateness presently.”
This story has been up to date with further info.