Comedian Richard Lewis, died in L.A. after suffering a heart attack, at the age of 76.
Lewis got his start in comedy in the 70s along with, Andy Kaufman, Richard Belzer and Elayne Boosler, he became a late show darling appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. His stage persona was as dark as the black clothes he'd always wear, as his comedy walked the line between comedy and therapy.
He would make his acting debut in the 1979 with Diary of a Young Comic, but his profile grew over the next two decades as his comedy specials gained popularity on Showtime and HBO. He would eventually get into the world of sitcoms, co-starring with Jamie Lee Curtis on Anything but Love, Don Rickles on 1993’s Daddy Dearest, and co-starred with Kevin Nealon in the sitcom Hiller and Diller. Although he retired from performing, after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, he still appeared periodically on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Lewis wrote two memoirs: The Other Great Depression in 2000 and, co-authored with Carl Nicholas Titolo, on Reflections From Hell: Richard Lewis’ Guide on How Not to Live in 2015.
His career has spanned over 40 years, with a comedic style that is as signature to the man as virtuoso's like Van Halen are to him. The world of comedy has been rocked today and the outpour of condolences has lit up Twitter by celebs and fans.
Rest In Peace Richard, yours is one of the most unique in entertainment history.