Richard Lewis, one of America’s most beloved and revered stand-up comics who also played a fictionalized version of himself on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, died last night at his home in Los Angeles after suffering a heart attack.
He was 76. His death was confirmed by his publicist Jeff Abraham. Lewis had been living with Parkinson’s disease, a diagnosis he revealed in April, 2023. “His wife, Joyce Lapinsky, thanks everyone for all the love, friendship and support and asks for privacy at this time,” Abraham said.
Born Richard Philip Lewis in Brooklyn on June 29, 1947, Lewis got his start in the New York and Los Angeles comedy scenes of the 1970s along with such soon-to-be-stars as Andy Kaufman, Richard Belzer and Elayne Boosler.
He quickly became a favorite of late night shows including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, developed a singular stage persona nearly as dark as the all-black clothes he favored.
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