Longtime Brooklyn Dodgers fan and famed comedian Richard Lewis passed away Tuesday night at the age of 76. According to multiple reports, Lewis died at his home in Los Angeles due to a heart attack.
Last April, Lewis announced he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and retiring from stand-up comedy. He nevertheless did remain active in Hollywood, most recently appearing in Season 12 of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which is currently airing on HBO.
Lewis developed a strong friendship with Larry David and was a fixture on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” but limited himself to appearing in just one episode of the hit series during Season 11 because of his recovery from three surgeries.
Season 12 of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is going to be the last of the show’s history.
“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 wrote in a statement shared by HBO. “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.”
HBO dded: “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.”
Among other series that Lewis was part of included “Anything but Love,” as he starred alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, and “Daddy Dearest” and “Hiller and Diller.”
On the film side, Lewis appeared in “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” “Leaving Las Vegas” and several other movies.
Richard Lewis rooted for Dodgers, Gil Hodges
Lewis was a fan of several sports teams, including the Dodgers, and as a Brooklyn native his childhood hero was Hall of Famer Gil Hodges.
Hodges was posthumously inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the 2022 class.
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