Richard Lewis' Official Cause of Death Revealed Days After He Died at Age 76
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Lewis' rep announced on Feb. 28 that the actor died "peacefully" at his home in Los Angeles after “suffering a heart attack"
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Richard Lewis’ official cause of death has been revealed.
The Curb Your Enthusiasm actor and comedian died at 9.22 p.m. on Feb. 27 from "cardiopulmonary arrest" according to his death certificate, which was obtained by The Blast on Friday. Lewis was 76 when he died and, per the outlet, Parkinson’s disease was listed as his secondary cause of death.
Cardiopulmonary arrest is when “adequate heart function and respiration” stop, which often results in death, according to the National Library of Medicine. The NLM noted that the condition can often occur in patients with coronary artery disease.
Lewis revealed in April 2023 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, "a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves" in 2021.
He said he retired from his comedy career as a result and had been privately battling the disease in the years following his diagnosis.
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Richard Lewis hosts the Video Software Dealers Association's award show at the organization's annual home video convention at the Bellagio July 27, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Related: Comedian and Curb Your Enthusiasm Star Richard Lewis Dead at 76
According to The Blast, the late actor's resting place will be the Temple of Aaron Cemetery in Roseville, Minnesota. Lewis' reps did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
The news of the comedian's death was confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE from Lewis' rep Jeff Abraham on Feb. 28, where he shared that the actor had “passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles” the night before after “suffering a heart attack."
"His wife, Joyce Lapinsky, thanks everyone for all the love, friendship and support and asks for privacy at this time," Abraham added.
A spokesperson for HBO, which streams Curb Your Enthusiasm, said, "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…”
In 2020, Lewis discussed his decision to return to the show in his later years, despite having undergone two back surgeries for excruciating pain, in an interview with the Chicago Tribune. He explained, "After 20 years of being associated with the whole show, it was too much on my mind that I couldn't let [Larry David] down."
Less than three weeks before his death, Lewis shared some optimistic words about his health with PEOPLE after missing the season 12 premiere party for Curb on Jan. 30.
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“I have some occasional walking difficulties with Parkinson's the last couple of years. It's not major. I'm getting through it fine so far, but I didn't want to go to, spend five or six hours mingling with so many people,” he explained of skipping the event. “It's just asking for trouble.”
He said he was “disappointed” to have missed the festivities, but added that “all things considered, I'm doing quite well.”
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