OR

wikipedia.org
29 Jun, 1947
27 Feb, 2024
Heart attack
American
Comedian
76
Richard Philip Lewis, an American comedian and actor, was born on June 29, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York. Lewis was the youngest of three siblings, born to Bill Lewis, co-owner of Ambassador Caterers in Teaneck, New Jersey, and Blanche Lewis, an actress in community theatre. He spent his childhood alone, his older siblings having left home by the 1960s, resulting in a complicated relationship with his mother and feelings of isolation.
Lewis graduated Dwight Morrow High School in 1965. In 1969, he graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing. Lewis’s comedic skills developed during college, setting the stage for his later success.
Lewis’s stand-up comedy career began in earnest at a Greenwich Village open mic night in 1971. People quickly noticed his unique approach, blending dark humor and self-deprecation. Lewis had become a celebrated comedian by the mid-1970s, appearing on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” with other famous comedians like Robert Klein and Richard Pryor.
Lewis publicly discussed his personal battles with alcoholism and drug addiction throughout his career. These experiences became integral to his comedy, allowing him to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level. Lewis married Joyce Lapinsky in 2005, and she stayed with him until his death.
Lewis, known as the “Prince of Pain” for his neurotic, self-deprecating humor, had a career that lasted over five decades. He starred in the ABC sitcom “Anything but Love” from 1989 to 1992 and played Prince John in Mel Brooks’ “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” in 1993. However, playing a fictionalized version of himself on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (2000-2024) brought him fame with a new generation.
Lewis had a profound impact on comedy. He was credited with popularizing the phrase “the ______ from hell” in everyday language, earning him recognition in “The Yale Book of Quotations”. His honest and self-reflective comedy pioneered a new wave of personal, confessional humor, which still influences the industry.
Richard Lewis passed away on February 27, 2024, at his home in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 76. The death was reported as being caused by a heart attack. He died less than a year after his Parkinson’s diagnosis was revealed. Lewis’s impact goes far beyond his comedic work. He pioneered discussions on mental health and addiction, employing humor to foster healing and comprehension. His open and honest performances on stage moved millions and inspired many comedians. Richard Lewis’s death leaves an irreplaceable mark on comedy and popular culture. His unique voice, characterized by its blend of neurosis, intellect, and heart, will continue to resonate with audiences for generations to come.
Richard Philip Lewis
Richard Lewis
Male
Heart attack
Brooklyn, New York, USA
Los Angeles, California, USA
Mediator: Poetic, kind and altruistic people, always eager to help a good cause.Richard Lewis. was known for sensitivity, creativity, and depth—traits evident in his comedy and personal reflections.
He coined the phrase "the ____ from hell" (e.g., "the date from hell"), popularizing it in comedy.
Performed stand-up into his 70s despite Parkinson’s, often joking about his condition.
Sobered up in 1994 after years of alcohol and drug struggles, later mentoring others.
Was childhood friends with Larry David, leading to their Curb collaboration.
Featured in the documentary House of a Lifetime: Richard Lewis (2014).
Named one of Comedy Central’s 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time in 2004.
Nominated for a CableACE Award for Best Stand-Up Comedy Special (1989).
Received critical acclaim for Curb Your Enthusiasm, appearing in over 40
Won praise for his dramatic role in Drunks (1995).