Richard Lewis (comedian)

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Richard Lewis
Lewis looking to the camera
Lewis in 2015
Born (1947-06-29)June 29, 1947
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Medium Stand-up, television, film
Genres Dark comedy, surreal humor
Subject(s) Self-deprecation, neuroticism, psychotherapy, alcoholism, hypochondria, paranoia, depression, bipolar disorder, human sexuality, Jewish culture, pop culture, family, eating disorders, annoyance
Spouse Joyce Lapinsky (m. 2005)
Website www.richardlewisonline.com

Richard Philip Lewis (June 29, 1947 – February 27, 2024) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. He came to prominence in the 1980s and became known for his dark, neurotic, and self-deprecating humor.

As an actor, he was known for having co-starred with Jamie Lee Curtis in the sitcom Anything but Love, for playing the role of Prince John in the film Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and for his recurring role as a semi-fictionalized version of himself in HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Early life

Lewis was born on June 29, 1947,[1] in Brooklyn. He was raised in Englewood, New Jersey.[2][3] He was born into a Jewish family, but was not especially religious.[4] His father, Bill (d. 1971), was co-owner of Ambassador Caterers in nearby Teaneck, New Jersey,[5] and his mother, Blanche, was an actress in community theatre.[3][6][7] Lewis was the youngest of three siblings – his brother was older than him by 6 years, and his sister by 9.[3][8][9] Lewis's father's catering business kept his father very busy, and his siblings had both left home by the 1960s, leaving Lewis at home alone with his mother, with whom he did not get along.[8] Lewis told The Washington Post in 2014 that he suspected that his birth had been a mistake.[8]

Lewis was known for being the class clown and causing trouble in school.[4] He graduated from Dwight Morrow High School in 1965 and attended Ohio State University where he attained a degree in marketing.[3][10]

Career

Lewis first tried stand-up at an open-mic in Greenwich Village in 1971.[6] He began writing and regularly performing stand-up comedy in 1972, while working as a copywriter for an advertising agency by day.[11] He was discovered by comedian David Brenner, while performing in Greenwich Village. Brenner helped Lewis's career by introducing him to the comedy clubs in Los Angeles and getting Lewis his first appearance on The Tonight Show.[11] By the mid-1970s, Lewis had appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson[12] and publications such as the New York Daily News and New York Magazine were naming him one of the "new breed" or "class" of comedians, along with such names as Robert Klein, Lily Tomlin, Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Andy Kaufman, Richard Belzer, and Elayne Boosler.[13][14] His influences were Buster Keaton, Woody Allen, Lenny Bruce, and Richard Pryor.[15]

Lewis was known for dark comedy, self-deprecation, and for frank discussions of his many neuroses as well as his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction.[16] He was noted for wearing all-black attire and for pacing and gesticulating wildly during his stand-up act.[16][17][18][19] In his early days he was also known for bringing taped-together sheets from a legal pad to his performances, that he would lay across the floor in front of him to remind him of joke premises and topics he wished to cover during his performance.[16]

Lewis made his screen acting debut in Diary of a Young Comic, a 90 minute film that aired on NBC in 1979 in the timeslot normally reserved for episodes of Saturday Night Live.[20] A satirical look at the Hollywood scene, Lewis stars in the film as Billy Gondola (born Gondolstein), a young Jewish comedian who leaves New York City to find fame in Los Angeles.[20][21] The film's script was co-written by Lewis and Bennett Tramer and was adapted from a story written by Gary Weis, who also served as the film's director.[20][21] The film features Bill Macy as Billy's father, Michael Lerner as his agent, and Stacy Keach as a landlord.[21] Performers George Jessel, Dom DeLuise, Nina van Pallandt, and Gary Mule Deer make appearances in the film as themselves.[21]

Lewis gained much wider exposure in the 1980s and 1990s with numerous appearances on talk shows such as The Tonight Show,[12] both Late Night and the Late Show with David Letterman,[11][17] and The Howard Stern Show[18] He also produced the comedy specials I'm in Pain, which aired on Showtime in 1985,[22] followed by I'm Exhausted, I'm Doomed and Richard Lewis: The Magical Misery Tour, which all aired on HBO in 1988, 1990, and 1997 respectively.[18][23] From 1989 to 1992 he co-starred with Jamie Lee Curtis on the sitcom Anything but Love.[17] He also starred on the short-lived sitcoms Daddy Dearest with Don Rickles in 1993 and Hiller and Diller with Kevin Nealon in 1998.[17] He played Prince John in the 1993 film Robin Hood: Men in Tights,[24] and starred as a struggling alcoholic and drug addict in the 1995 drama film Drunks, a film that also featured performances from Faye Dunaway, George Martin, Parker Posey, Howard Rollins, Spalding Gray, and Dianne Wiest and was based on Gary Lennon's play Blackout.[25] Lewis also appeared in the 1995 drama film Leaving Las Vegas and the 1997 romantic comedy Hugo Pool.[18][26]

Into the 2000s, Lewis had recurring roles as a B movie producer on the sitcom Rude Awakening[27] and as Rabbi Richard Glass on the family drama series 7th Heaven.[18] Lewis also had a recurring role on the sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm as Richard Lewis, a semi-autobiographical version of himself.[24] Lewis first met the show's star and creator, Larry David, at summer camp in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York when they were 12 years old – Lewis claimed that at the time they hated each other.[18] The two comedians also happened to be born three days apart in the same hospital.[3] The pair met again just over a decade later while performing stand-up in New York and became friends.[18]

Recognition

GQ magazine included Lewis on their list of "The 20th Century's Most Influential Humorists",[28] and Lewis was ranked No. 45 on Comedy Central's list of "100 Greatest Standups of All Time" released in 2004.[29][30]

In 2006, The Yale Book of Quotations included an entry for the expression "the ______ from hell" (as in "the night from hell", "the date from hell". etc.,) that was attributed to Lewis.[31] Lewis also petitioned the editors of Bartlett's Familiar Quotations to include the idiom, which was also worked into the plot of Curb Your Enthusiasm during the episode "The Nanny from Hell."[32] Lewis's lawyer sent some video tapes of Lewis using the phrase to Bartlett's general editor Justin Kaplan.[32] Bartlett's declined, stating that the expression had predated Lewis's first taped broadcast.[32] In response, Lewis told Entertainment Weekly that he traces popular usage of the line back to his early days on David Letterman's show.[32]

Personal life

Lewis met Joyce Lapinsky in 1998 at a Ringo Starr album release party, while Lapinsky was working in music publishing.[16][33] The pair were engaged in 2004 and married the following year.[33]

Discussions of Lewis's battles with anxiety and depression, and his multiple therapy sessions, were a fixture of his comedy.[17] He also stated in interviews that he suffered from an eating disorder due to body dysmorphia.[18][17]

Lewis was open about his recovery from alcohol and drug abuse, having been a user of both cocaine and crystal meth.[18] His addictions worsened into the 1990s, prompting Lewis to stop performing stand-up from 1991 to 1994.[17] In a 1995 interview with the Santa Maria Times, Lewis discussed how John Candy's death in 1994 caused him to reflect upon his own life and career.[34] The two starred together in Candy's last film, the Western-themed comedy film Wagons East.[34] In later interviews, Lewis stated that he got sober in 1994 after winding up in a hospital emergency room due to a cocaine overdose.[7][17]

Lewis published his memoir in 2000, titled The Other Great Depression.[35] The book was reissued in 2008 with an added afterword where Lewis reflected further on his continued struggles with addiction.[7] In 2015 he followed this up with the book Reflections From Hell: Richard Lewis' Guide on How Not to Live, which contains Lewis's commentary and observations in the form of one-liners and other comedic premises, interspersed with images created by artist Carl Nicholas Titolo.[35]

Health

Lewis struggled with health issues resulting in multiple surgeries. In 2016 he shattered his right hand after falling from his roof, in 2019 he had back surgery related to acute back pain, and in early 2020 he shattered his shoulder, resulting in another surgery.[9][33] In 2020 it was revealed that Lewis had endured great pain during the shooting of Curb Your Enthusiasm[33] and in 2021 he announced that he would be returning for only one episode of the 11th season.[24] Lewis returned in the show's 12th and final season.[36]

In April 2023, Lewis announced he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease two years earlier. He said he would no longer perform stand-up comedy and was instead "focused on writing and acting".[2]

Death

Following a battle with Parkinson's since April 2023, Lewis died of a heart attack on February 27, 2024.[37][38][39] He was 76.

Friends and colleagues have made statements regarding Lewis' death:

HBO (Producers of the show: 'Curb Your Enthusiasm') said on Wednesday 28th February 2024: "We are heartbroken to learn that Richard Lewis has passed away. His comedic brilliance, wit and talent were unmatched," HBO said in a statement. "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."[40]

'Curb Your Enthusiasm' co-star Cheryl Hines said: "Through the years I learned who Richard really was and the gifts he gave," Hines said. "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. To be loved by Richard Lewis. A true gift."[40]

In a statement shared with NBC News, Larry David, the creator of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' and friend of Lewis, said: “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. He had that rare combination of being the funniest person and also the sweetest,” David said. “But today he made me sob and for that I’ll never forgive him.” [41]

Filmography

Film

Film work by Richard Lewis
Year Title Role Notes
1988 The Wrong Guys Himself
1989 That's Adequate Pimples Lapedes
1992 Once Upon a Crime Julian Peters
1993 Robin Hood: Men in Tights Prince John
1994 Wagons East Phil Taylor
1995 Drunks Jim
Leaving Las Vegas Peter
1996 The Elevator Phil Milowski
1997 Hugo Pool Chick Chicalini
The Maze Markov
1999 Game Day Steve Adler
2005 Sledge: The Untold Story Himself Mockumentary
2012 Vamps Danny Horowitz
2014 She's Funny That Way Al Finkelstein
2017 Sandy Wexler Testimonial
2018 The Great Buster: A Celebration Himself Documentary

Television

Television work by Richard Lewis
Year Title Role Notes
1974–1992 The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson Himself – Guest 22 episodes
1977 Diary of a Young Comic Billy Goldstein Television movie
1980 House Calls Dr. Leon Prometheus Episode: "The Phantom of Kensington"
1982–1993 Late Night with David Letterman Himself – Guest 44 episodes
1985 Temporary Insanity Performer Television movie
1986 Riptide Andrew Fitzsimmons Carlton III Episode: "The Wedding Bell Blues"
1987 Harry Richard Breskin 7 episodes
CBS Summer Playhouse Joey Episode: "King of the Building"
1988 Tattingers Longo Episode : "Death and Taxis"
1989–1992 Anything But Love Marty Gold 56 episodes
1992 The Danger of Love Edward Sanders Television movie
1993 Daddy Dearest Steven Mitchell 13 episodes
TriBeCa Joseph Episode: "Stepping Back"
The Larry Sanders Show Himself Episode: "Life Behind Larry"
1993–2008 Late Show with David Letterman Himself – Guest 9 episodes
1994 Tales from the Crypt Vern Episode: "Whirlpool"
1995–2008 Late Night with Conan O'Brien Himself – Guest 12 episodes
1995 A.J.'s Time Travelers Edgar Allan Poe Episode: "Edgar Allan Poe"
1996 A Weekend in the Country Bobby Stein Television movie
Nichols and May: Take Two Himself Documentary Special, PBS
1996–2015 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Himself 16 episodes
1997 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Old Beggar (voice) Episode: "The Golden Goose"
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist Richard (voice) Episode: "Undercover"
1997–1998 Hiller and Diller Neil Diller 13 episodes
1998 Rude Awakening Harve Schwartz 6 episodes
1999 Hercules Neurosis (voice) Episode: "Hercules and the Tiff on Olympus"
V.I.P. Ronald Zane Episode: "Big Top Val"
Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm Himself Television movie – Pilot
2000–2024 Curb Your Enthusiasm Himself 40 episodes
2002 Presidio Med Francis Weinod Episode: "Once Upon a Family"
2002–2004 7th Heaven Rabbi Richard Glass 9 episodes
2003 Alias Mitchell Yaeger Episode: "A Dark Turn"
2004 Two and a Half Men Stan Episode: "I Can't Afford Hyenas"
The Dead Zone Jack Jericho Episode: "The Cold Hard Truth"
2005 Las Vegas Stan Episode: "Fake the Money and Run"
George Lopez Phillip Nickleson Episode: "George Finds Therapy Benny-ficial"
2006 The Simpsons Golem (voice) Episode: "Treehouse of Horror XVII"
Everybody Hates Chris Kris Episode: "Everybody Hates Kris"
2007 Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project Himself Documentary, PBS
2008 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Sportsman Larry (voice) Episode: "Closet"
2009 The Cleaner Henry Episode: "Trick Candles"
2010 Funny or Die Presents Shades (voice) Episode: #1.10
'Til Death Miles Tunnicliff 3 episodes
2011 Lewis on Film: The Oscar Edition Performer Short
Pound Puppies Buddy (voice) Episode: "Rebel Without a Collar"
2013 Mel Brooks: Make Some Noise Himself Documentary Special, PBS
2015 Blunt Talk Dr. Weiss 6 episodes
2016 Code Black Stewart Gough Episode: "Hero Complex"
2018 BoJack Horseman Ziggy Abler (voice) Episode: "Head in the Clouds"

Awards and nominations

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Accolades for Richard Lewis
Year Award Category Nominated work Result
1989 CableACE Award Writing a Comedy Special[42] The I'm Exhausted Concert Nominated
1991 Viewers for Quality Television Best Actor – Quality Comedy Series[43] Anything but Love Nominated
2006 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series[44] Curb Your Enthusiasm Nominated

References

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  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 17.7 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 18.8 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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  • Richard Lewis at the Internet Movie DatabaseLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
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