“We were heartbroken to learn that Richard Lewis had passed away. His comedic brilliance, wit and talent were unparalleled. “Richard will always be a valued member of the HBO and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ families, and our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and all the fans who could count on Richard to brighten their days with laughter,” HBO said in a statement.
Favorite neurotic
He most recently appeared in the 12th season of the American television sitcom Larry, Shut Up, which aired on HBO. Lewis, who played a semi-fictionalized version of himself on the sitcom for twenty-four years, was known for his neurotic, self-deprecating style of comedy.
According to the diary New York Times stood Lewis at the rise of stand-up comedy. Among his most famous stand-ups was a performance in 1989 at New York’s Carnegie Hall, where he spoke for more than two and a half hours and received a standing ovation.
Lewis’ film roles include the 1993 comedy Robin Hood: Men in Stockings, the drama Leaving Las Vegas, and the 1995 film Drunks.
Throughout his career, the actor spoke candidly about his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. In 2021, after various health problems, Lewis said Variety: “For the past almost 27 years, I have dedicated my life to comedy and sobriety. I am overwhelmed with joy right now. I never learned how to keep joy in my head for more than a minute, but today I break all the records of my life.’