Larry David, “Curb Your Enthusiasm ”Castmates and More Remember Richard Lewis: 'Like a Brother'

The comedian died of a heart attack on Tuesday, his rep confirmed to PEOPLE

Tributes are pouring in following the news of Richard Lewis’ death.

The stand-up comedian, best known for his role on Curb Your Enthusiasm, died on Tuesday at age 76.

"Comedian/Actor Richard Lewis passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles last night after suffering a heart attack," read a statement from his rep, Jeff Abraham. "His wife, Joyce Lapinsky, thanks everyone for all the love, friendship and support and asks for privacy at this time."

In a statement to PEOPLE, Lewis' longtime Curb costar and friend, Larry David, said of the sad news: “Richard and I were born three days apart in the same hospital and for most of my life he’s been like a brother to me. He had that rare combination of being the funniest person and also the sweetest. But today he made me sob and for that, I’ll never forgive him.”

Related: Comedian and Curb Your Enthusiasm Star Richard Lewis Dead at 76

David's onscreen wife, Cheryl Hines, also spoke out, telling PEOPLE in a statement that it's "a true gift" to be "loved by Richard Lewis."

“When I was young I had the biggest crush on Richard Lewis. He was the funniest person on stage and the most handsome comedian. Then when I was cast on Curb Your Enthusiasm, I got to work with him and it was a dream come true," Hines, 58, says.

"Through the years I learned who Richard really was and the gifts he gave. Yes, he was the comedian I fell in love with, but he was also one of the most loving people I know. He would take time to tell the people he loved what they meant to him - especially in recent years. In between takes on Curb, he would tell me how special I was to him and how much he loved me," she continues, adding, "I love you Richard."

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The original Curb Your Enthusiasm director, Rob Weide, shared photos with Lewis from 1984, 2004 and 2023 as he wrote, “Reeling from the news. The suddenness of it. I love you, Pal. Always have. Always will.”

Jamie Lee Curtis, who led the ABC sitcom Anything But Love with Lewis for three years, also weighed in, sharing a lengthy statement on Instagram as she recalled their first meeting — and how important his friendship was to her.

“I remember exactly where I was when I saw a billboard of him about a stand up special on Sunset Boulevard when we were casting the ABC pilot Anything But Love and asked the casting people to bring him in to audition to play my best friend/maybe boyfriend, Marty Gold. I thought he was handsome. He made me laugh, which is the one thing that a strong, capable woman, can't really do for herself,” she wrote.

“He got the part when I snort laughed when he mispronounced the word Bundt cake. He blew everyone else away. It was a love triangle show and they didn't pick up that pilot but they came back to me and said that the chemistry with Richard was so great and could we revamp the original pilot which is the show we ended up making for a couple years.”

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Reflecting on their time together on the sitcom, which ran for five seasons, Curtis, 65, said, “He was also a stand-up comic and hated the live audience, where I, who had never done a play, loved it. He used to hide his lines everywhere on the set, on props, door frames, on my face in a close up and was always carrying a clipboard with his lines on them. It turns out he was a wonderful actor. Deep and so freaking funny.”

“He also is the reason I am sober. He helped me. I am forever grateful for him for that act of grace alone," she continued. "He found love with Joyce and that, of course, besides his sobriety, is what mattered most to him. I'm weeping as I write this. Strange way of saying thank you to a sweet and funny man. Rest in laughter, Richard. My Marty, I love you, Hannah!”

Tia Carrere shared her response to the news in the comments section of Curtis’ post as she said she “hadn’t heard” yet. “It was amazing working with you both on this. It was hilarious playing his ‘daughter’ and then playing his girlfriend on Curb Your Enthusiasm. He thought that was hilarious. Rest in peace dear Richard.”

Tim Allen tells PEOPLE, “So very sad about the loss of my dear friend Richard Lewis. God bless your wife. So much legacy comedy you have left here. So very sad you’re gone.”

Lewis’ Robin Hood: Men in Tights costar Cary Elwes shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the pair "were literally just making plans to get together" as he reacted to the news.

"Besides your remarkable talent there was no one sweeter or more generous than you, my friend. I miss you already & forever. Rest in Power, Richard. Our sincere condolences to Joyce, his family & fans."

Bette Midler commented on the news, too, calling it "sad" in a tweet, while legendary singer Nancy Sinatra called it “dreadful news” as she wrote in a tweet, “I will always love Richard. 😢.”

Comedian and director Paul Feig said that Lewis was his “hero” when he was doing stand-up comedy.

“Absolutely devastated by this news,” he wrote in a tweet. “I was lucky enough to get to know him and he was the most wonderful man. So supportive and kind and truly one of the funniest people on the planet. You will be missed, my friend."

Mark Hamill reacted to the news by writing a tweet, “So sad to hear we have lost @TheRichardLewis. He was one-of-a-kind & always hilarious. Thank you for a lifetime of laughter," and comedian Bill Burr mourned Lewis as he called him “a true original” and “an absolutely fearless comedian who did and said what he wanted.”

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Comedian Albert Brooks wrote in a tweet of his own, “RIP Richard Lewis. A brilliantly funny man who will missed by all. The world needed him now more than ever.”

Fellow comedian Dane Cook called Lewis “a champion” as he wrote in a tweet, “I love you and will miss you man.”

Actor and comedian Michael McKean wrote in a tweet, “Farewell, Richard Lewis. Procol Harum has lost another fan, and the rest of us have lost a very good man.”

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