Richard Lewis, a legendary comedian and actor known for his neurotic, self-deprecating humor and his role on “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, died on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 76 years old. His publicist confirmed that the cause of death was a heart attack1. Lewis had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2023, and had announced his retirement from stand-up comedy.
Career Highlights
Lewis started his career as a stand-up comedian in the 1970s, performing in clubs and on late-night TV shows. He developed a distinctive style of delivering rapid-fire, stream-of-consciousness monologues, often wearing all-black outfits and holding a microphone close to his mouth. He was dubbed “The Prince of Pain” for his angsty and tortured persona.
He appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” more than 50 times, and also on “Late Night with David Letterman”, “The Howard Stern Show”, and other popular programs. He starred in several comedy specials, such as “I’m in Pain”, “I’m Exhausted”, and “I’m Doomed”. He also wrote two books, “The Other Great Depression” and “Reflections from Hell”, in which he candidly shared his struggles with addiction, depression, and fame.
He also had a successful acting career, appearing in films such as “Robin Hood: Men in Tights”, “Drunks”, “Leaving Las Vegas”, and “Wag the Dog”. He was best known for his role as Marty Gold, the romantic co-lead opposite Jamie Lee Curtis, in the ABC sitcom “Anything But Love”, which ran from 1989 to 1992. He received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
He also played a fictionalized version of himself on the HBO comedy series “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, created by his childhood friend Larry David. He was one of the few regular cast members who appeared in all 11 seasons of the show, often clashing with David over trivial matters. He was praised for his improvisational skills and his chemistry with David.
Tributes and Legacy
Lewis was widely respected and admired by his peers and fans, who expressed their condolences and appreciation on social media and in statements. Larry David said that Lewis was “like a brother” to him, and that he had “that rare combination of being the funniest person and also the sweetest”. He also joked that Lewis made him “sob” and that he would never forgive him for that.
Other comedians and celebrities who paid tribute to Lewis included Albert Brooks, Bette Midler, Michael McKean, Paul Feig, Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt, and Jon Stewart. They praised his comedic genius, his honesty, his kindness, and his influence. HBO also released a statement, saying that Lewis was “a cherished member of the HBO and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ families” and that he would be remembered for “brightening their days with laughter”.
Lewis was regarded as one of the greatest and most influential stand-up comedians of all time. He was named by Comedy Central as one of the top 50 stand-up comedians of all time, and by GQ magazine as one of the “20th Century’s Most Influential Humorists”. He inspired generations of comedians with his unique and original style of humor, which explored his personal issues and insecurities with wit and candor.
Conclusion
Richard Lewis was a comedy legend who had a remarkable and versatile career, spanning stand-up, TV, film, and books. He was known for his neurotic, self-deprecating, and hilarious persona, which he used to cope with his challenges and to connect with his audiences.
He was loved and respected by his friends, colleagues, and fans, who mourned his death and celebrated his life. He was 76 years old, and had retired from stand-up comedy due to his Parkinson’s disease. He will be missed and remembered as a great comedian and a great person.