RICHARD Lewis’ wife, Joyce Lapinsky, has been photographed for the first time since her husband’s death.
On Wednesday, Joyce was spotted in Los Angeles, California looking emotional and distraught in exclusive pictures obtained by The U.S. Sun.
The music publisher wore black sunglasses on a sunny day as she said goodbye to a friend who came by her home to pay their condolences.
She was also spotted wearing an all-black ensemble including a long-sleeved shirt and pants along with a few bracelets while her curly hair was left down and over her shoulders.
On February 28, it was announced that Richard died from a heart attack on Tuesday as it was confirmed by his publicist.
Richard and Joyce met in 1998. At that time, Joyce worked in music publishing.
The two reportedly met at an album release party for Beatles legend Ringo Starr.
The two were engaged in 2004 and by 2005, they had tied the knot.
While they were married for almost 20 years, the couple did not welcome any children.
MORE ABOUT RICHARD
Richard’s career spanned over four decades.
Although he first tried standup in 1971, it was not until 1974 that he first appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
He was a guest on Carson’s show 22 times over 18 years.
Richard Lewis dead at 76- Curb Your Enthusiasm comic suffered from Parkinson’s disease in ‘rocky’ years before death
His dark and self-deprecating humor won him laughs from audiences across the nation.
By the late 1970s and early 1980s, he was working on films and television shows.
In 1989, he co-starred with Jamie Lee Curtis in the popular sitcom Anything but Love for four seasons.
The TV and movie star played a fictionalized version of himself on the hit HBO series, Curb Your Enthusiasm – and even reprised his role for the 12th season alongside Larry David.
He also appeared in Robin Hood: Men In Tights, Once Upon A Crime, The Elevator, and the sitcom Anything But Love.
PAST SURGERY AND PARKINSON’S DIAGNOSIS
In April 2023, Richard took to his X, formerly Twitter, account to discuss his health.
“Three and a half years ago, I was in the middle of a tour and then I finally ended it with a show I said ‘You know, I’m at the top of my game, after 50 years almost I’m just gonna call it quits.'”
“Then, out of the blue, the s**t hit the fan. I had four surgeries back to back to back to back. It was incredible, I couldn’t believe it. It was bad luck but it’s life, you know?”
“I had back surgery, then I had a shoulder surgery, then I had a shoulder replacement surgery, and a hip replacement. So, you know, there was much where I was just focusing on [physical therapy].”
“On top of all that, two years ago, I started walking a little stiffly, I was shuffling my feet and I went to a neurologist and they gave me a brain scan and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.”
He revealed that he was lucky enough to have caught the disease early enough that it would progress slowly and he was on the right medications so he was “cool.”
He continued that he was all finished with standup comedy and that he wanted to focus on writing and acting.
‘RICHARD LEWIS FOREVER’
Former co-star Larry David shared an emotional tribute in a statement shared by HBO.
He 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.
“But today he made me sob and for that I’ll never forgive him.”
More friends and fans flooded social media to share their condolences and funny moments of Richard on Curb Your Enthusiasm.
“On a sad note, the great Richard Lewis has died,” Bette Midler tweeted.
“A brilliantly funny man who will missed by all. The world needed him now more than ever,” actor Albert Brooks said.
“Richard Lewis and Larry’s friendship was always one of the best parts of Curb. RIP,” one fan tweeted.
“Richard Lewis forever,” stated another, “Rest in peace to a comedy icon.”
A third wrote, “Richard Lewis was not just a comic but somebody who left everything on the table. His vulnerability was simply charming. We lost a good one.”
