Richard Lewis, Comedian and Curb Your Enthusiasm Co-Star, Dead at 76

Longtime stand-up comedian Richard Lewis, who had a memorable co-starring role alongside Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm, has died at the age of 76.

“Richard Lewis passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles last night after suffering a heart attack,” his publicist Jeff Abraham said in a statement to TVLine. “His wife, Joyce Lapinsky, thanks everyone for all the love, friendship and support and asks for privacy at this time.”

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Lewis had suffered from a number of health problems in recent years. He revealed last April that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease: “Luckily, I got it late in life, and they say it progresses very slowly, if at all, and I’m on the right meds, so I’m cool.”

Lewis first rose to fame in the 1980s as a stand-up comic, known for his all-black wardrobe and dark sense of humor. He made appearances on The Tonight Show and Late Night With David Letterman and starred in a trio of HBO stand-up comedy specials. In 1989, he starred opposite Jamie Lee Curtis in the ABC sitcom Anything But Love, with the two playing coworkers at a Chicago magazine who found themselves romantically drawn to each other. The series ran for four seasons, ending its run in 1992.

Lewis went on to play villain Prince John in 1993’s Robin Hood: Men in Tights and log a number of guest appearances on TV, including a nine-episode stint on 7th Heaven as Rabbi Richard Glass, who eventually became Matt’s father-in-law. His most notable TV role, though, might be on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, where he played a heightened version of himself as Larry David’s friend-slash-nemesis. Lewis appeared in more than 40 episodes of Curb, including an episode in the current 12th season that aired earlier this month.

HBO released a statement: “We are heartbroken to learn that Richard Lewis has passed away. His comedic brilliance, wit and talent were unmatched. Richard will always be a cherished member of the HBO and Curb Your Enthusiasm families, our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and all the fans who could count on Richard to brighten their days with laughter.”

Larry David added a statement of his own: “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.”

Lewis’ Anything But Love co-star Jamie Lee Curtis also offered a tribute on Instagram: “He made me laugh, which is the one thing that a strong, capable woman can’t really do for herself. He got the part when I snort laughed when he mispronounced the word Bundt cake… He also is the reason I am sober. He helped me. I am forever grateful for him for that act of grace alone… I’m weeping as I write this. Strange way of saying thank you to a sweet and funny man. Rest in laughter, Richard.”

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