Larry David honors his childhood friend and co-star Richard Lewis.
Comedian Richard Lewis died at age 76
On Wednesday, it was announced by his publicist that the comedian, known for his role as himself on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” had suffered a heart attack. His friend and the creator of the show, Larry David, as well as other stars, remembered him.
David stated on the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” Instagram page that he and Richard were born only three days apart in the same hospital. Throughout his life, Richard has been more like a brother than a friend to David. He possessed the unique quality of being both hilarious and kind-hearted. However, Richard’s actions today caused David to cry uncontrollably, and he will never be able to forgive him for it.
Lewis and David were introduced to each other when they were both 12 years old at a summer camp. In the long-standing HBO comedy about David, who is a co-creator of “Seinfeld,” the two actors portrayed fictionalized versions of themselves.
Other actors from the show “Curb” also paid tribute to Lewis, who had a successful stand-up career spanning several decades and appeared in numerous film and television projects.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Susie Essman, known for her role as Susie Green, David’s friend and manager’s wife on the show, described Lewis as a unique and talented voice that cannot be substituted.
“Calling him a friend was a stroke of luck. He had a knack for making me laugh and was one of the most supportive and benevolent individuals I have ever had the pleasure of knowing,” she stated.
Other stars also remembered working with Lewis, including Jamie Lee Curtis, who starred with him on the sitcom “Anything But Love.” The pair played a couple on the show. “He got the part when I snort laughed when he mispronounced the word Bundt cake,” she wrote on Instagram.
She recalled how Lewis would cleverly conceal his scripts on the set as a way to remember his lines. “It surprised me to discover that he was an exceptionally skilled actor, with striking depth and a fantastic sense of humor.”
“I am crying as I write this,” she mentioned Lewis’ spouse, Joyce Lapinsky. “Finding love with Joyce was the most important thing to him, next to his sobriety. It’s a strange way of expressing gratitude to a kind and humorous man. May Richard rest in laughter.”
Ben Stiller posted on a social media platform, expressing, “I have never encountered a more compassionate and understanding comedic talent. He had such a great sense of humor and depth. In the 1970s, he was highly regarded for his stand-up performances. He was effortlessly cool, hilarious, and humble. He was a close friend to not only my parents, but also the entire Stiller family.”
Filmmaker Paul Feig expressed deep sadness over the passing of Richard Lewis, stating that he considered Lewis to be his personal hero. Feig shared on social media that he was a huge fan of Lewis during his early days as a stand-up comedian, and that he was grateful to have gotten to know him as a person. He described Lewis as incredibly supportive, kind, and one of the funniest individuals on the planet.
Cary Elwes, who co-starred with Lewis in “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” expressed his grief and shared that they had been planning to meet up recently. On social media, he wrote, “You were not only incredibly talented, but also the kindest and most giving person, my friend. I will forever miss you. Rest in Power, Richard. My heartfelt condolences to his wife Joyce, his family, and all his fans.”
HBO also shared a tribute to Lewis, expressing their sorrow over his passing and praising his unmatched comedic brilliance, wit, and talent. He will forever be remembered as a beloved member of the HBO and Curb Your Enthusiasm communities. Sincere condolences are extended to his loved ones, friends, and supporters who found joy in his ability to bring laughter to their lives.
Lewis revealed last year that he had Parkinson’s disease
He announced his retirement from standup through a video shared on social media. Despite his health condition, he kept filming scenes for the last season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” In a recent episode, he and David have a disagreement over the inheritance he would leave David. However, David claims he has no need for the money.
On the show, Lewis expresses, “I want you to understand how much you mean to me when I pass away. You are my closest friend and I trust you.”
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Source: cbsnews.com