Larry David, along with his Curb Your Enthusiasm castmates and other individuals, fondly remembers Richard Lewis as “like a brother.”
he renowned stand-up comedian, widely recognized for his role on the popular television series Curb Your Enthusiasm, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 76.
According to a statement from his representative, Jeff Abraham, Richard Lewis, the celebrated comic and actor, peacefully passed away at his residence in Los Angeles last night as a result of a heart attack. Lewis’ wife, Joyce Lapinsky, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love, friendship, and support their family has received during this challenging time and kindly requested privacy.
Larry David, Lewis’ close friend and longtime co-star on Curb Your Enthusiasm, shared his deep sorrow in a statement to PEOPLE magazine. David expressed that he and Lewis were born just three days apart in the same hospital and that Lewis had been like a brother to him throughout their lives. David acknowledged Lewis’ distinctive ability to be both incredibly humorous and genuinely kind. At the same time, David playfully remarked that Lewis had managed to make him cry on this occasion, a feat he may never be forgiven for.
Cheryl Hines, who portrayed David’s wife on the show, also paid tribute to Lewis, describing the experience of being loved by him as a true blessing. Hines reminisced about her childhood crush on Lewis, his remarkable sense of humor, and his undeniable charm. She expressed her profound gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside Lewis on Curb Your Enthusiasm, highlighting the love and affection he consistently demonstrated throughout their years together.
Rob Weide, the original director of Curb Your Enthusiasm, expressed his grief and deep affection for his friend Lewis through a series of heartfelt photos spanning several years.
Jamie Lee Curtis, Lewis’ former co-star on the ABC sitcom Anything But Love, took to Instagram to share a lengthy statement. In her tribute, Curtis fondly recounted their initial meeting and how Lewis quickly became an invaluable friend in her life. She emphasized Lewis’ unique talent for making her laugh, a gift she found incomparable. Curtis recounted their time on the sitcom and how their chemistry ultimately led to the creation of a successful television show.Reflecting on their shared experience on the sitcom, the 65-year-old Curtis revealed that Lewis, despite being a seasoned stand-up comedian, harbored a strong aversion to performing in front of live audiences. In contrast, Curtis, who had not previously pursued stage acting, developed a passionate love for it. Curtis revealed anecdotes about Lewis strategically hiding his lines around the set, on props, door frames, and even on Curtis herself during close-up shots. He would always carry a clipboard with his lines meticulously written on it. Despite his unique approach, Lewis proved to be a remarkable actor, possessing depth and incredible comedic talent. Richard played a pivotal role in Curtis’ journey to sobriety, for which she will always be grateful. She acknowledged his significant contribution to her achieving sobriety. In addition to this, Richard found love with someone named Joyce, which was of utmost importance to him alongside his sobriety. Curtis tearfully wrote this message as a strange way of expressing gratitude to Richard, a kind and humorous man. She concluded by saying, “Rest in laughter, Richard. My Marty, I love you, Hannah!”
Tia Carrere responded to Curtis’ post in the comments, expressing her shock at the recent news. She reminisced about working with both Richard and Curtis on the show, finding it amusing to be Richard’s “daughter” and later his girlfriend on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Richard himself found this amusing. Tia Carrere wished him to rest in peace.
Tim Allen also expressed deep sadness upon learning about Richard’s passing. He offered his condolences to Richard’s wife and acknowledged the comedic legacy he has left behind. Tim Allen said, “God bless your wife. You have left so much comedic legacy here. It’s truly heartbreaking that you are gone.”
Cary Elwes, Richard’s co-star in Robin Hood: Men in Tights, shared his deep sorrow in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He revealed that he and Richard had plans to meet up, and the news saddened him greatly. Cary Elwes praised Richard’s extraordinary talent and described him as a kind and generous friend. He expressed his grief over Richard’s loss and extended sincere condolences to Joyce, Richard’s family, and his fans.
Mel Brooks, another co-star of Richard’s who also appeared in Robin Hood, released a statement expressing his appreciation for working alongside Richard in the 1993 film. Mel Brooks considered himself fortunate to have known Richard and remarked on his comedic brilliance.
Ben Stiller remembered Richard Lewis as a “true comedy great” and a profoundly empathetic genius. He highlighted Richard’s impact as an iconic stand-up comedian in the ’70s, emphasizing his cool, funny, self-deprecating, and hip character. Over the years, Richard personally supported and showed love to Ben Stiller and his family with kind words. Ben expressed his sadness at the thought of never seeing Richard again but felt grateful to have known him.Bette Midler and Nancy Sinatra also commented on the news, expressing their sadness at Richard’s passing.
Bette Midler simply described it as “sad” in a tweet, while Nancy Sinatra called it “dreadful news” and expressed her eternal love for Richard. Comedian and director Paul Feig revered Lewis as his “hero” during his stand-up comedy days. Comedian Albert Brooks offered his condolences in a tweet, describing Lewis as a “brilliantly funny man” who will be greatly missed. Dane Cook, another comedian, referred to Lewis as “a champion” and expressed his sadness in a tweet.
In his own tweet, actor and comedian Michael McKean bid farewell to Lewis, expressing his admiration as a fan and recognizing him as a remarkable individual. Mark Hamill, a well-known actor, expressed his sorrow at the passing of Lewis, praising him as incomparable and consistently hilarious. Comedian Bill Burr mourned Lewis as a genuine original and an incredibly courageous comedian who fearlessly spoke his mind in a tweet.