He was one of the most influential comedians of the 20th century across the Atlantic.
The actor Richard Lewis, star of the series “Larry and his navel” (“Curb your Enthusiasm” in original language), died Tuesday evening following a heart attack at the age of 76, the press announced American.
He died “peacefully, at his residence in Los Angeles,” they said.
A death confirmed by his agent Jeff Abraham as well as his wife, Joyce Lapinsky, who thanked fans for “their love, friendship and support”.
The actor had been living with Parkinson's disease for some time, as he announced in April 2023.
Remembering #RichardLewis... pic.twitter.com/izDwUBIZHJ
— Curb Your Enthusiasm - Larry David Latest News (@curb_david) February 29, 2024
Richard Lewis became known to the general public after making several notable appearances in the 1980s and 1990s on television shows such as “The Tonight Show” or the “Late Show with David Letterman”.
Comedy Central named him one of the 50 best stand-up comedians of all time, and GQ magazine included him in its list of "The Most Influential Comedians of the 20th Century."
“The funniest and also the sweetest person”
Richard Lewis distinguished himself in the cinema in 1993 in his role of "Prince John" in the "Sacred Robin Hood" directed by Mel Brooks, as well as on the small screen by playing opposite Jamie Lee Curtis in the sitcom "Anything but love” from 1989 to 1992. The latter also paid tribute to the actor on Wednesday evening, hailing “a wonderful actor”, “deep and so funny”.
It was a few years later, at the start of the 21st century, that the comedian touched another generation by starring in his flagship role in “Larry and his navel”, in the early 2000s, alongside his friend Larry David.
“Richard and I were born three days apart in the same hospital and for most of my life he's been like a brother to me.
He had that rare combination of being the funniest person and also the sweetest.
But today he made me sober and for that I'll never forgive him."
- Larry David
— Curb Your Enthusiasm - Larry David Latest News (@curb_david) February 28, 2024
“Richard and I were born three days apart in the same hospital and for most of my life he was like a brother to me.
He had this rare combination of being the funniest person and also the sweetest,” the latter reacted.
“But today he made me cry and I will never forgive him,” he concluded.