Celebrities, including close friend and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” co-star Larry David, praised Richard Lewis as “brilliantly funny” after news of the comedian’s death at 76 became public Wednesday.
David told Fox News Digital Lewis was “like a brother.”
“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,” the “Seinfeld” co-creator said. “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.”
Cheryl Hines, who also co-starred on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” told Fox News Digital having known Lewis was a “true gift.”
RICHARD LEWIS, ‘CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM’ STAR AND COMEDIAN, DEAD AT 76
Larry David said Richard Lewis was “like a brother” to him. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for AFI)
“When I was young, I had the biggest crush on Richard Lewis,” Hines said. “He was the funniest person on stage and the most handsome comedian. Then, when I was cast on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’ I got to work with him, and it was a dream come true.
“Through the years, I learned who Richard really was and the gifts he gave. 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. I love you Richard.”
RICHARD LEWIS REVEALS PARKINSON’S DISEASE DIAGNOSIS: ‘I’M FINISHED WITH STAND-UP’
Richard Lewis with Cheryl Hines and “Curb” co-stars Jeff Garlin and Susie Essman in 2005. (Lee Celano/WireImage)
Actor and comedian Albert Brooks wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “RIP Richard Lewis. A brilliantly funny man who will missed by all. The world needed him now more than ever.”
Nancy Sintra called the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star’s death “dreadful news. I will always love Richard.”
Beatles drummer Ringo Starr posted on X, “God bless Richard Lewis we will all miss you man love to Joyce peace and love Ringo.”
Bette Midler posted, “On a sad note, the great Richard Lewis has died.”
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Jamie Lee Curtis, who worked with Lewis on the early ‘90s sitcom “Anything But Love,” wrote a lengthy note about the comedian on her Instagram along with publicity photos of the two of them embracing, adding he is the reason she is sober.
“I’ve just read that my friend Richard Lewis has died. I remember exactly where I was when I saw a billboard of him about a stand up special on Sunset Boulevard when we were casting the ABC pilot Anything But Love and asked the casting people to bring him in to audition to play my best friend/maybe boyfriend, Marty Gold,” the “Halloween” star wrote.
“I thought he was handsome. He made me laugh, which is the one thing that a strong, capable woman, can’t really do for herself. He got the part when I snort laughed when he mispronounced the word Bundt cake. He blew everyone else away It was a love triangle show and they didn’t pick up that pilot but they came back to me and said that the chemistry with Richard was so great and could we revamp the original pilot which is the show we ended up making for a couple years.
Lewis died at the age of 76. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
“He was also a stand-up comic and hated the live audience, where I, who had never done a play, loved it. He used to hide his lines everywhere on the set, on props, door frames, on my face in a close up and was always carrying a clipboard with his lines on them. It turns out he was a wonderful actor. Deep and so freaking funny.
“We went through the death of our friend and costar, Richard Frank, together and grieved the loss of our producer and friend, John Ritter. Richard’s last text to me, was hoping that I could convince ABC/Disney to put out another boxed set of episodes of the show.
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“He also is the reason I am sober. He helped me. I am forever grateful for him for that act of grace alone. He found love with Joyce and that, of course, besides his sobriety, is what mattered most to him. I’m weeping as I write this. Strange way of saying thank you to a sweet and funny man. Rest in laughter, Richard. My Marty, I love you, Hannah!”
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Comedian Patton Oswalt shared a throwback black-and-white headshot of Lewis smiling at the camera. The “King of Queens” star also posted “We love you Richard” last summer after Lewis posted about turning 76.
According to his publicist, Jeff Abraham of Jonas Public Relations, Lewis died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles Tuesday night after suffering a heart attack.
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Lewis announced his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis and retirement from stand-up in April 2023.