Larry David is mourning the loss of his longtime friend Richard Lewis. The fellow stand-up comedian and actor died on Tuesday February 27, 2024 at the age of 76. His publicist, Jeff Abraham, shared that the cause of death was a heart attack. Larry released a statement the next day. “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 statement read. "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.”
The two comedians first met at the age of 12. According to Richard, however, they were initially “arch rivals.” He considered Larry to be “cocky” and admitted to even trying to hit him with a ball while playing baseball.
Over a decade later, when they were both stand-up comedians living in New York City, the two reunited after recognizing each other during a night out. From there, their unbreakable friendship was born.
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“He loves me and I’m his dearest friend,” Richard once said of Larry, though he didn't expect his friend to shower him in the same kind of adoration. “It would be rare for him to go deep like that."
Other celebrities took time out to pay tribute to Richard as well.
"He would take time to tell the people he loved what they meant to him," actress Cheryl Hines wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). "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. You will be missed."
Jamie Lee Curtis also shared a touching post on Instagram. "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," the post read in part. "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!"
Director Paul Feig also made a post on X. "Absolutely devastated by this news. Richard was my hero when I was a standup," he said. "I was lucky enough to get to know him and he was the most wonderful man. So supportive and kind and truly one of the funniest people on the planet. You will be missed, my friend."
Actor Ben Stiller also shared a post on X. "I never met a kinder, more empathetic comedy genius," he wrote. "He was so funny. And deep. As a stand up he was really iconic in the 70s. Cool, funny, self deprecating and hip. He was a friend to my parents and the whole Stiller family."
"As a kid i remember seeing him at the Improv and how nice he was to me and my sister. Over the years he would always reach out with support and love or a kind word – sometimes out of the blue," he continued. "It always felt special to hear from him. I feel very lucky to have known him over all these years. I’m sad I won’t see him again. We’ll miss him very, very much. A true comedy great. Sending love to all of Richard’s family and friends."
