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After Richard Lewis died at age 76 on Feb. 27, Sunday’s episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” honored the late comedian.
Lewis was a longtime friend of series creator/star Larry David, 76, and frequently appeared on the show during its 12 season run, playing a fictional version of himself. The show follows David, playing a fictional version of himself as he often disregards or misreads social conventions, resulting in awkward situations.
On Sunday night’s episode, the HBO comedy had a dedication card reading, “In memory of Richard Lewis. 1947 – 2024.”
Lewis passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles, Calif., home after suffering a heart attack.
“His wife, Joyce Lapinsky, thanks everyone for all the love, friendship, and support and asks for privacy at this time,” his publicist, Jeff Abraham, said in a statement.
An HBO spokesperson told The Post in a statement Wednesday: “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.”
The comedian announced last April that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and was retiring from stand-up comedy.
In a Vanity Fair interview published last week, Lewis said about his diagnosis, “It changed my outlook in that it’s been a combination of forcing myself to look back and be grateful. I’ve had such an amazing life. I still do. I’m a lucky man…I got in touch with more gratitude and also acceptance. It’s imperative that I accept the fact that I have Parkinson’s. If you don’t accept it, then it lingers around your brain and you get morbid and depressed. You lose energy.”
In 2021, Lewis announced that he would only appear in one episode of “Curb” Season 11 because of his illness. He returned for the show’s 12th and final season, which premiered earlier this month on HBO. The series finale will air on April 7.
Lewis’ wife, Lapinsky — who he married in 2005 — thanked his many fans worldwide in a post on X three days after his death.
“This is Joyce, Richard’s wife,” she wrote on his X page. “Thank you for your loving tributes. He would be beyond thrilled and so touched, as am I.
“In response to your many queries, I know Richard would appreciate donations in his memory to the Los Angeles based charity comedygivesback.com or the charity of your choice.”
The “Curb” cast and other celebrities took to social media to post tributes to the late comedian.
“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,” David told People. “He had that rare combination of being the funniest person and also the sweetest. But today he made me sob and for that, I’ll never forgive him.”
Cheryl Hines, who plays David’s on-screen wife in the series, also gushed to the outlet about Lewis.
“When I was young I had the biggest crush on Richard Lewis. He was the funniest person on stage and the most handsome comedian. Then when I was cast on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’ I got to work with him and it was a dream come true,” said Hines.
She continued, “Through the years I learned who Richard really was and the gifts he gave. Yes, he was the comedian I fell in love with, but he was also one of the most loving people I know. He would take time to tell the people he loved what they meant to him – especially in recent years. In between takes on ‘Curb,’ he would tell me how special I was to him and how much he loved me. I love you Richard.”
Jamie Lee Curtis, who co-starred alongside Lewis in the ABC sitcom “Anything But Love,” said in an Instagram statement, “I remember exactly where I was when I saw a billboard of him about a stand-up special on Sunset Boulevard when we were casting the ABC pilot ‘Anything But Love’ and asked the casting people to bring him in to audition to play my best friend/maybe boyfriend, Marty Gold.”
“I thought he was handsome. He made me laugh, which is the one thing that a strong, capable woman, can’t really do for herself,” she continued. “He also is the reason I am sober. He helped me. I am forever grateful for him for that act of grace alone. He found love with Joyce and that, of course, besides his sobriety, is what mattered most to him. I’m weeping as I write this. Strange way of saying thank you to a sweet and funny man. Rest in laughter, Richard.”
Lewis’s former “Robinhood: Men in Tights” co-star, Cary Elwes, for his part, called the late star a “remarkable talent.”
“Noooo….. We were literally just making plans to get together. … There was no one sweeter or more generous than you, my friend,” he posted on Instagram. “I miss you already & forever.”
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