- Richard Lewis passed away on February 27 at the age of 76.
- Lewis died of a heart attack and had contended with several health complications and surgeries in recent years.
- He was a comedian and actor known for his dark humor and his roles in ‘Robin Hood: Men in Tights,’ ‘Anything but Love,’ and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm.’
On February 27, Richard Lewis passed away. He was 76 when he died of a heart attack. Lewis’s publicist, Jeff Abraham, confirmed news of his death with USA Today, adding that he “passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles.”
Beginning his career in 1971, Lewis became famous as both a comedian and actor. In the world of acting, he famously worked opposite Jamie Lee Curtis in Anything but Love, and for playing a fictionalized version of himself in HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Richard Lewis passed away after several recent health complications
Last April, Lewis revealed on social media that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and that he had undergone several surgical procedures for other health complications over the last three years. Those procedures included back surgery, as well as hip and shoulder replacements.
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He classified this period as “sort of a rocky time,” adding, “I had four surgeries, back to back to back. It was incredible… It was bad luck, but it’s life.” Although he went public with his diagnosis last spring, Lewis had been contending with Parkinson’s in private since 2021. Ultimately, he retired from his comedy career as a result, although he continued appearing in Curb Your Enthusiasm into this year.
Lewis’s rep, Abraham, added in his statement, “His wife, Joyce Lapinsky, thanks everyone for all the love, friendship and support and asks for privacy at this time.”
His own unique brand of comedy
As a comedian, Lewis’s style was characterized by a dark sort of wit and plenty of self-deprecation. He brought this brand of humor not just to standup performances but also to his television and film credits; comedian David Brenner helped Lewis land his first appearance on The Tonight Show.
Before long, Lewis became a regular on The Howard Stern Show and The Late Show with David Letterman.
On the big screen, his credits include Robin Hood: Men in Tights, 7th Heaven, and George Lopez, as well as voice work for BoJack Horseman.
Rest in peace, Richard Lewis.
