Beloved comedian and actor Richard Lewis passed away at 76 after battling health issues. His representative, Jeff Abraham, confirmed the news on February 28, 2024, revealing Lewis suffered a heart attack at his Los Angeles home. Lewis had been privately battling Parkinson’s disease since 2021, leading him to step away from stand-up in April 2023. In a Twitter video from 2023, Lewis shared his journey of undergoing four surgeries for his back, shoulder, and hip. His wife, Joyce Lapinsky, thanked everyone for their love and support.
Lewis’s Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2021 prompted him to shift his focus to writing and acting, away from stand-up. The entertainment community mourns his loss, with HBO expressing heartbreak over the passing of their “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star. Co-star Jamie Lee Curtis shared a touching tribute, recalling Lewis’s influence on her sobriety journey, describing him as a “comedy genius” who was kind and empathetic. Ben Stiller praised Lewis’s iconic status in the 70s and remembered his consistent support over the years.
— Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) April 24, 2023
Throughout his decades-long career, Lewis brought laughter to audiences, appearing in over 40 episodes of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and making memorable contributions to shows like “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “The Howard Stern Show.” His film roles in “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” “Daddy Dearest,” and “Leaving Las Vegas” solidified his place in the hearts of fans worldwide.
