Richard Lewis was a staple of stand-up comedy for decades before he announced that he was hanging up the mic. When the comedian revealed he’d been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in 2023, he also announced that he was retiring from stand-up. While many hoped that they could see a potential return of Lewis to the comedic stage, he knew he was done.
He told Vanity Fair in February 2024, “On my last tour, I knew it was my last. It was the best I’ve ever been onstage. I said, ‘This is it. Fifty years. I’m exhausted.’ I did about six cities. People showed me how much they care about my work. And I would never go on again. Not to mention, my body’s been beaten up by four surgeries.” While he may have retired from stand-up, Lewis did reveal that he was going to continue writing and acting.
The comedian, who starred on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” alongside Larry David for 24 years, had most recently been seen in Season 12 of the show. His final episode aired in February 2024, just weeks before his death. Lewis had even shared his excitement for the episode on X, writing, “What a night! I loved Episode 3 of #curbyourenthusiasm…” From acting to comedy, there was nothing that Lewis couldn’t do, and his comedy will be remembered long after his death.
