Richard Lewis, renowned stand-up comedian and actor in "Curb Your Enthusiasm," passes away at the age of 76

Richard Lewis, renowned stand-up comedian and actor in "Curb Your Enthusiasm," passes away at the age of 76

Richard Lewis, the trailblazing comedian celebrated for delving into the intricacies of his neuroses in stand-up and his recurring portrayal of a fictionalized version of himself on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, passed away from a heart attack at his Los Angeles residence on February 27, as confirmed by Vulture. He was 76.

Born in Brooklyn in 1947, Lewis embarked on his stand-up comedy career in the 1970s, swiftly gaining recognition for pushing the boundaries of the art form. He openly discussed his battles with mental health and addiction on stage. His acting debut transpired in the 1979 made-for-TV NBC movie Diary of a Young Comic, propelling him into regular appearances on late-night talk shows during the 1980s and 1990s, with frequent spots on The Tonight Show and Late Night With David Letterman.

Lewis produced four well-received stand-up specials: I’m in Pain (1985) and I’m Exhausted (1988) on Showtime, followed by I’m Doomed (1990) and The Magical Misery Tour (1997), both on HBO. His accomplished acting career featured notable roles such as Prince John in 1993’s Robin Hood: Men in Tights, the lead in the sitcom Anything But Love alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, and his memorable turns on Curb Your Enthusiasm, currently in its 12th and final season on HBO.

In April 2023, Lewis shared on social media that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and had retired from stand-up in 2019 after nearly 50 years to focus on health, writing, and acting. That same year, he launched the podcast Richard Lewis: Alive and Unwell, concluding with the last episode posted in December 2023, featuring a guided tour of his home. Lewis leaves behind an extraordinary body of work and his wife, Joyce Lapinsky.