Stand-up comedian Richard Lewis has died, his rep confirms to ET. He was 76.
Lewis' rep, Jeff Abraham, shared that the actor and comedian died on Tuesday night 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," the statement added.
The entertainer -- who was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Englewood, New Jersey -- is perhaps best known for his role in the '80s sitcom Anything But Love alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, portraying Prince John in the 1993 movie Robin Hood: Men in Tights and most recently for playing a fictionalized version of himself in Larry David's HBO series, Curb Your Enthusiasm.
After hearing of Lewis' death, HBO told ET in a statement, "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."
Lewis began his comedy career -- which is often described as self-deprecating, dark humor -- at open mics in New York City's Greenwich Village. From there, he earned notoriety in the '80s and '90s when he frequently performed his stand-up routines on The Tonight Show, and other late-night programs.
Richard Lewis with Larry David in June 2013.
In April 2023, Lewis revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease two years prior and would no longer be performing onstage.
"I went to a neurologist and they gave me a brain scan and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and that was about two years ago," he said at the time. "But luckily I got it late in life and they say you progress very slowly, if at all, and I'm on the right meds, so I'm cool."
"I guess I just wanted to let you know that's where it’s been at," his 2023 message concluded. "I'm finished with stand-up. I'm just focusing on writing and acting. I have Parkinson’s disease, but I'm under a doctor's care and everything is cool and I love my wife, I love my little puppy dog, and I love all of my friends and my fans, and now you know where it's been at the last three and a half years. God bless you."
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Lapinsky, whom he married in 2005.
RELATED CONTENT:
