Richard Lewis has died at the age of 76 after a years-long battle with Parkinson’s disease, it has been confirmed.
Bette Midler was first to announce news of the comedian’s death on X, writing: ‘On a sad note, the great Richard Lewis has died.’
The Curb Your Enthusiasm star Lewis has had an illustrious career in Hollywood as an actor, writer, and comedian.
Variety confirmed Lewis had passed due to a heart attack.
His credits include a long-standing role as a fictionalized version of himself on the smash comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm. He returned for the series’ 12th and final season, which debuted this year.
Actor Richard Lewis has died at the age of 76
Lewis also had roles in Robin Hood: Men In Tights, Daddy Dearest, and more.
The death comes less than a year after Lewis announced he had been battling Parkinson’s disease.
In April 2023, Lewis said he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease following a brain scan. At the time, he had been battling the disease for the past two years.
‘Luckily I got it late in life, and they say you progress very slowly if at all and I’m on the right meds and it’s cool,’ Lewis said. ‘I just wanted you to know that that’s where it’s been at.
‘I’m finished with standup, 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.’
According to the Mayo Clinic, Parkinson’s disease ‘is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves. Symptoms start slowly.
‘Tremors are common, but the disorder may also cause stiffness or slowing of movement,’ according to the site.
Lewis played a fictionalized version of himself on Curb Your Enthusiasm; pictured with Larry David (L)
