Final yr, Lewis revealed his battle with Parkinson’s illness, saying his retirement from stand-up comedy. Regardless of this, he continued to allure audiences within the present Season 12 of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ on HBO.
The information of Lewis’s demise, attributed to a coronary heart assault, was confirmed by his publicist Jeff Abraham from Jonas Public Relations. Lewis handed away at his Los Angeles residence, surrounded by family members.
In an announcement, Larry David, Lewis’s longtime good friend and co-star, expressed his deep sorrow. “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,” mentioned David. “He had that uncommon mixture of being the funniest particular person and likewise the sweetest. However at the moment he made me sob, and for that, I’ll by no means forgive him.”
Jamie Lee Curtis, who shared the display with Lewis within the ABC collection ‘Something However Love,’ paid a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, acknowledging Lewis’s function in her journey to sobriety. She described him as a “candy and humorous man” and expressed gratitude for his influence on her life.
Referred to as The Prince of Ache for his frantic, stream-of-consciousness diatribes, Lewis made his mark within the comedy world. His performances, usually in all-black apparel, delved into the depths of his neurotic ideas. In Mel Brooks’s ‘Robin Hood: Males In Tights,’ he performed the reliably neurotic Prince John.
Lewis’s collaboration with Larry David in ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ reintroduced him to a brand new technology, showcasing his distinctive comedic type. His on-screen kvetching turned a trademark of the present.
“I’m paranoid about the whole lot in my life. Even at dwelling. On my stationary bike, I’ve a rear-view mirror, which I’m not thrilled about,” joked Lewis throughout one in all his stand-up performances.
Fellow comic Jimmy Kimmel shared a humorous anecdote from Lewis: “This morning, I attempted to go to mattress. I couldn’t sleep. I counted sheep however I solely had six of them and so they all had hip replacements.”
Acknowledging his affect, Comedy Central named Lewis one of many high 50 standup comedians of all time, and GQ journal included him within the listing of the “twentieth Century’s Most Influential Humorists.” Lewis additionally devoted his humor to charitable causes, supporting initiatives like Comedian Aid and Comedy Provides Again.
Described by the Los Angeles Instances as a session akin to “a really humorous and sometimes darkish remedy session,” Lewis’s stand-up was acclaimed for its distinctive mix of humor. Philadelphia’s Metropolis Paper hailed him as “the Jimi Hendrix of monologists,” and Mel Brooks likened him to the “Franz Kafka of modern-day comedy.”
Richard Lewis leaves behind a legacy of laughter, touching the hearts of audiences throughout generations together with his wit and humor. His influence on the world of comedy is immeasurable, and he can be remembered fondly by followers and friends alike.