Comedian Richard Lewis, who died Tuesday of a heart attack, said he was “pretty well” a few weeks before his death, despite being absent from the season 12 premiere of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
The so-called Prince of Pain, who played an exaggerated version of himself alongside his real-life friend Larry David in the HBO series, told People on February 9 that he skipped the January 30 premiere because he didn't I felt like doing it. .
“I've had some occasional difficulty walking due to Parkinson's in recent years,” the 76-year-old told the magazine. “It's not important. “I’m getting through it well so far.”
Lewis added that he didn't want to “spend five or six hours mixing with so many people” because “it's just asking for trouble.”
The star of “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” and “Anything But Love” revealed in April 2023 that he had been diagnosed with a degenerative brain disorder and would be retiring from stand-up comedy after 50 years, as well as countless self-criticisms. jokes detailing his neurosis. However, the talk show regular said he still planned to write and act.
The actor already appeared in the third episode of the final season of “Curb,” notably arguing with David about his objection to Lewis making him a benefactor in his will. HBO also confirmed that Lewis will appear in three more episodes.
“We have a deep mutual affection and respect for our craft,” Lewis told The Times before the premiere. “And we've always been there for each other. Some of my idiosyncratic things in my behavior that he picks up on, and he has since we were teenagers, he has actually remembered most of the juiciest ones and put them into the show.”
“Because we're old friends, I can tell him whatever I want and vice versa,” David said. “So that comes with a certain freedom. … Whatever I tell you on the show, I would tell you in life. “I think I treat him worse in life.”
Upon hearing of his death, Lewis' friends and fans paid tribute to the iconic comedian.
In a statement to the Associated Press, David described his co-star and longtime friend as like a brother: “He had that rare combination of being the funniest person and also the sweetest. But today he made me cry and I will never forgive him for that.”
Jamie Lee Curtis, who co-starred on the ABC comedy “Anything But Love” with Lewis from 1989 to 1992, shared two tributes on Instagram, remembering him as a “deep and tremendously funny comedian.”
“He's also the reason I'm sober. He helped me. I will always be grateful for him just for the act of grace,” she wrote. “He found love in Joyce and that, of course, besides his sobriety, is what mattered most to him. “I'm crying as I write this.”
His “Curb” co-star Cheryl Hines tweeted that Lewis would “take the time to tell the people he loved what they meant to him.”
“Between takes of Curb, he would tell me how special I was to him and how much he loved me. Being Loved by Richard Lewis. A true gift. I love you ricardo. We will miss you. #RicardoLewis“, Hines wrote. She also told “Entertainment Tonight” that when she was young, she had a “very big crush” on Lewis.
“He was the funniest person on stage and the most handsome comedian. Then when I got cast in 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' I worked with him and it was a dream come true,” she said, adding, “Yes, he was the comedian I fell in love with, but he was also one. “one of the most loving people I know.”
“Rest in peace Richard Lewis. A brilliantly funny man who will be missed by all. “The world needed it now more than ever.” tweeted “Curb” co-star Albert Brooks.
“Rest Richard Rest,” co-star JB Smoove wrote on Instagram Stories. “Thank you for encouraging me to shoot for the stars. @shahclectic and you will be greatly missed. #equipment”
“You are so loved,” added Smoove's wife, Shahidah Omar. “Thank you for being so wonderful, funny and kind.”
“Richard had a brilliant, original voice that cannot be replaced. I was lucky to call him a friend. “He made me laugh and he was one of the most understanding and kind people I've ever met,” “Curb” co-star Susie Essman told “Entertainment Tonight.”
Cary Elwes, the “Princess Bride” star who co-starred with Lewis in the 1993 Mel Brooks comedy “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” said he and Lewis were “literally just making plans to be together.”
“Besides your remarkable talent, there was no one sweeter or more generous than you, my friend. I miss you now and forever. Rest in power, Richard. Our deepest condolences to Joyce, her family and fans of her @TheRichardLewis,” he said. tweetedalong with a photo from the set of “Robin Hood.”
“Richard was my hero when I was a stand-up” filmmaker Paul Feig aggregate. “I was lucky enough to meet him and he was the most wonderful man. Very supportive, kind and truly one of the funniest people on the planet. You will be missed, my friend.”
“He was one of a kind and always fun. Thank you for a lifetime of laughter.” wrote “Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill.
“God bless you, Richard Lewis, peace and love, Joyce, peace and love.” tweeted Beatles drummer Ringo Starr.
“Richard Lewis was part of a changing of the guard in stand-up history during the 1970s; His work exemplified and anticipated the deeply personal, raw, introspective, and yes, neurotic tone that has come to color much of contemporary comedy. “His influence on the art form was profound, and we are proud to preserve his lasting contribution to the legacy of comedy,” Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center, said in a statement to The Times.
free throw writer Whitney Friedlander contributed to this report.
