Richard Lewis, the beloved comedian and actor who was also known for his role on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,“ has died. He was 76. Lewis’ rep Jeff Abraham confirmed the news in a statement to PEOPLE on Wednesday.
“Comedian/Actor Richard Lewis passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles last night after suffering a heart attack,” the statement read. “His wife, Joyce Lapinsky, thanks everyone for all the love, friendship and support and asks for privacy at this time.”
A spokesperson for HBO also reacted to the news in a statement to PEOPLE, saying: “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, our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and all the fans who could count on Richard to brighten their days with laughter.”
Deadline was the first to report the news. Lewis had previously announced his Parkinson’s diagnosis in April 2023 after dealing with it privately since 2021, retiring from his comedy career as a result. Lewis was best known for his trademark self-deprecating humor, which he showed in countless standup performances and TV and film roles. He held a long-standing role on Larry David‘s Curb Your Enthusiasm, appearing in more than 40 episodes between 2000 and 2021. He was also known for being a regular guest on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “The Howard Stern Show.”
Lewis’s acting career also saw him in TV shows with a starring role opposite Jamie Lee Curtis in the sitcom “Anything but Love” from 1989 to 1992, in later small-screen appearances on 7th Heaven, Rude Awakening, Bojack Horseman and Blunt Talk, and in films including 1993’s Robin Hood: Men in Tights, 1995’s Leaving Las Vegas.
In his later years filming Curb Your Enthusiasm, Lewis told the Chicago Tribune he soldiered on despite undergoing two back surgeries for excruciating pain. 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] down.”
Throughout his career, Lewis openly joked about his personality, appearance and general routines. He even called himself the “Prince of Pain” — fittingly naming some of his comedy tours I’m in Pain, I’m Exhausted and I’m Doomed.
Lewis, who penned a 2000 memoir titled The Other Great Depression, told The Washington Post in 2020: “No, I’m not a very happy man. I’m thrilled to be alive. I’m grateful for who’s in my life. I’ve got great friends, a great wife, a dog, and I have a great career.”
He continued, “But there’s just a part of me that’s always going to be never totally happy. And I think that has a lot to do with my childhood.”
Lewis is survived by his wife, who he married in 2005. He did not have any children.
