Richard Lewis Remembered: Tributes For A “Brilliantly Funny” & “Very Good Man”
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Friends, castmates and fans are sharing their remembrances of and tributes to Richard Lewis, the beloved comedian and longtime Curb Your Enthusiasm actor who died Tuesday at 76.
Lewis was part of the raft of comedians who broke through during the 1980s and gained fame as stand-up comedy began to flood cable TV later that decade and into the ’90s. His contemporaries included Jerry Seinfeld, Paul Reiser, Ellen DeGeneres, Ray Romano, Sinbad, Gilbert Gottfried, Rita Rudner, Larry Miller, Paula Poundstone, George Wallace, Elayne Boosler, Carol Leifer and many more.
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Lewis probably was best known for recurring on his longtime friend Larry David’s HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm, playing himself as David’s neurotic, often needy longtime best pal.
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Great sadness
— Steve Martin (@UnrealBluegrass) February 28, 2024
Sleep well Richard…I’ll try to take good care of our face.
— Jon Stewart (@jonstewart) February 28, 2024
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) February 28, 2024
Farewell, Richard Lewis. Procol Harum has lost another fan, and the rest of us have lost a very good man.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) February 28, 2024
— Paula Poundstone (@paulapoundstone) February 28, 2024
R.I.P. to a true original @TheRichardLewis An absolutely fearless comedian who did and said what he wanted. 💪🏻
— Bill Burr (@billburr) February 28, 2024
Absolutely devastated by this news. Richard was my hero when I was a standup. 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. https://t.co/NX4G9i39xX
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) February 28, 2024
RIP Richard Lewis. A brilliantly funny man who will missed by all. The world needed him now more than ever.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) February 28, 2024
So sad to hear we have lost @TheRichardLewis. He was one-of-a-kind & always hilarious. Thank you for a lifetime of laughter. 🙏#RIP_Richard 💔 pic.twitter.com/iUdQfU275q
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) February 28, 2024
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Lewis. The accomplished comedian and actor was a talkshow staple and recently appeared on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm.' Our condolences to his wife, colleagues and friends. #RIP #SagAftraMember since 1975 https://t.co/5Zaw9pe18b
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) February 28, 2024
Ran into Richard Lewis in Improv bathroom 1982, said I'm a fan. RL: "Thanks. You a comic?" me: 'no, just open mics' RL: "Do you go on stage?" me: 'yeah' RL: "Do you tell jokes?" me: 'yeah' RL:"Then you're a comic." He could've just said thanks and left. Never forgot it
— Mike Scully (@scullymike) February 28, 2024
Richard Lewis was an amazing man. What a life. We became friendly thru Twitter after I had been a fan my whole life. He would send friendly little messages from time to time over the past few years while he battled health issues. What a guy. Rest in peace, Richard.💔 pic.twitter.com/Ruw8iadty8
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) February 28, 2024
Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center:
“Richard Lewis was part of a changing of the guard in stand-up history during the 1970s; his work exemplified and anticipated the deeply personal, raw, introspective and yes, neurotic, tone that has come to color so much contemporary comedy. His influence on the art form was profound, and we are proud to preserve his enduring contribution to comedy’s heritage.”
God Bless Richard Lewis. One of the greatest comics I’ve ever seen.
I love him so much and he was always so kind and supportive and sweet to me.
Live From Hell. Best cover ever. pic.twitter.com/BLNUffYpzS— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) February 28, 2024
https://t.co/CEEDSWtgU4
This is dreadful news. I will always love Richard. 😢— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) February 28, 2024
Richard Lewis Dead: Beloved Comic, 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' Actor Was 76 https://t.co/ZNvLGSxy8h RIP Richard,you were a true original. We are fewer
— TitusWelliver (@welliver_titus) February 28, 2024
1984. 2004. 2023.
Reeling from the news. The suddenness of it.
I love you, Pal. Always have. Always will. #RichardLewis pic.twitter.com/KA3JseSyjo— Robert B. Weide (@BobWeide) February 28, 2024
I never met a kinder, more empathetic comedy genius. He was so funny. And deep. As a stand up he was really iconic in the 70s. Cool, funny, self deprecating and hip. He was a friend to my parents and the whole Stiller family. As a kid i remember seeing him at the Improv and… https://t.co/0aRA3xLTGR
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) February 28, 2024
Rest well funny, sweet friend @TheRichardLewis pic.twitter.com/Qt0gev9Eay
— Joely Fisher (@MsJoelyFisher) February 28, 2024
RIP Richard Lewis pic.twitter.com/mpyqgwMuBY
— Al Hirschfeld (@AlHirschfeld) February 28, 2024
RIP Richard Lewis pic.twitter.com/mpyqgwMuBY
— Al Hirschfeld (@AlHirschfeld) February 28, 2024
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