Richard Lewis was a comedian and actor known for his acerbic style and for TV roles in “Anything but Love” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
- Died: February 27, 2024 (Who else died on February 27?)
- Details of death: Died at his home in Los Angeles of a heart attack at the age of 76.
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Richard Lewis’ legacy
Lewis began doing stand-up comedy professionally in the 1970s, and his profile quickly rose as he appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and in comedy clubs in New York City and Los Angeles. By the 1980s, he had become a comedy star, frequently appearing on “Late Night With David Letterman” and on “The Howard Stern Show.” He had 1980s comedy specials on Showtime and HBO, including his award-winning show “I’m Exhausted.”
As Lewis found success in stand-up, he began to be a sought-after actor, with several roles beginning in the late 1970s. In 1989, he was cast opposite Jamie Lee Curtis in the sitcom “Anything but Love.” The show’s four seasons launched his acting career in earnest, and he took frequent acting roles alongside his busy stand-up career. In 1993, Lewis played Prince John in the Mel Brooks movie “Robin Hood: Men in Tights;” the following year, he starred alongside John Candy (1950–1994) in “Wagon’s East.” Later in the ‘90s, Lewis had a prominent supporting role in “Leaving Las Vegas” and appeared on TV in episodes of “Tales from the Crypt” and “V.I.P.,” as well as in a recurring role on “Rude Awakening.”
In the 1999 pilot of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Lewis appeared as a fictionalized version of himself alongside his real-life friend, Larry David. He insisted on a multi-show arc, and he became a regular and a fan favorite on the show throughout its run, most recently appearing in a 2024 episode that aired less than two weeks before his death. Among other running jokes, the show poked fun at Lewis’ tendency to wear black almost exclusively.
Lewis had a recurring role on “7th Heaven” as Rabbi Richard Glass, and he made guest appearances on such series as “Alias,” “Two and a Half Men,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” and “The Cleaner.” He also had voice roles in “Dr. Katz, Professoinal Therapist,” “The Simpsons,” and “BoJack Horseman.”
Notable quote
“When people say, ‘Hey, we’re going to Malibu,’ and it’s bright and 90 degrees out, everybody can see the ocean and everybody is in white pants, I walk in there in a black suit and it scares some people.” —from a 2021 interview for GQ
Tributes to Richard Lewis
Full obituary: The New York Times
