After the death of Richard Lewis: Stars pay tribute to the legendary comedian

After the death of Richard Lewis
Stars pay tribute to the legendary comedian

Numerous friends, colleagues and fans have said goodbye to comedian and actor Richard Lewis (1947-2024) on social networks. Lewis made his breakthrough in the 1980s when stand-up comedy became popular on US television.

“I’m crying as I write this”

Jamie Lee Curtis (65) dedicated a particularly long post to the deceased on her Instagram page. She starred with Richard Lewis in the sitcom “Everything But Love” in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Lee Curtis remembered the casting for the sitcom with a photo of the two of them. She immediately found him pretty. And: “He made me laugh, which is the one thing a strong, capable woman can’t really do for herself.” He also “blown away” everyone else and those responsible were thrilled by the chemistry between them. Even though he was a stand-up comedian, he hated live audiences. “He hid his lines all over the set, on props, door frames, on my face in a close-up, and always carried a clipboard with his lines on it. It turned out he was a wonderful actor. Deep and so incredibly funny.” He, who had alcohol problems himself, also helped her overcome her addiction. “He is also the reason I am sober. I am eternally grateful to him for this act of grace.” The actress further wrote, “I’m crying as I write this. Weird way to say thank you to a sweet and funny man.” Finally she said: “Rest in laughter, Richard.”

A good friend of the Stiller family

Also Ben Stiller (58) reminded of X (formerly Twitter) to his colleague: “I’ve never met a kinder, more empathetic comedy genius. He was so funny. And profound.” Lewis was “a real icon” as a stand-up artist in the 1970s. Stiller called him “cool, funny, self-deprecating and hip” and emphasized that Lewis was a friend of the entire family. “I remember watching him in improv theater as a child and how kind he was to me and my sister. Over the years he always helped us with support and love or a kind word – sometimes out of the blue.” He feels very lucky to have known him over the years. “I’m sad that I won’t see him again. We’ll miss him very, very much. A true comedy great.”

“Star Wars” star Mark Hamill (72) emphasized in his tributehow sad he is about the loss. Richard Lewis was “unique” and “always hilarious.” He publicly thanked him for “a life full of laughter.”

Nancy Sinatra (83), daughter of the entertainer legend Frank Sinatra (1915-1998), said: “I will always love Richard.” Actor John Fugelsang (54) also made a contribution. Richard Lewis was one of the “greatest comedians” he had ever seen. “I love him so much and he’s always been so kind and supportive and sweet to me.”

He was like a brother to Larry David

In recent years, Richard Lewis has particularly attracted attention through his appearances in the two Emmy Award-winning HBO series “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (German title: “Leave it, Larry”). In the show devised by “Seinfeld” co-series creator Larry David (76), he played a fictionalized version of himself – and can also be seen in the currently running final twelfth season of the comedy series. He had a decades-long friendship with Larry David. He shared, Lewis was like a brother to him most of his life. “He had the rare quality of being the funniest and sweetest person at the same time. But today he made me sob, and I will never forgive him for that.”

Also the acting union SAG-AFTRA spoke up. A post on X said: “We are saddened by the passing of Richard Lewis.” He was an “accomplished comedian and actor” and a fixture on talk shows. The union also recalled that he had been a member since 1975.

The “Tights” hero successfully fought against alcoholism

On February 28th it was announced that the legendary stand-up comedian had died the day before at his home in Los Angeles. The cause of death was given as a heart attack. After starting out in the stand-up scene in the 1970s and 80s, he increasingly appeared on US television and in Hollywood films. He played the neurotic Prince John in Mel Brooks’ (97) successful film parody “Robin Hood – Heroes in Tights” and in the dark alcoholic drama “Leaving Las Vegas”. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he said he had been sober for almost 30 years after a long battle with alcoholism and drug problems. Almost a year ago, Lewis announced that he had Parkinson’s disease. He then ended his stand-up career.

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