Stand-up comedian Richard Lewis, who first gained fame in the 1980s for his trademark biting, dark sense of humor, later parlayed that trait into his own roles in films such as 'Robin Hood: Men in Tights' and in HBO's 'Curb Your Enthusiasm.' The man who played the role died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 76 years old.
His publicist, Jeff Abraham, said the cause was a heart attack. Mr Lewis announced last year that he had Parkinson's disease.
Mr. Lewis was one of the best-known names of the generation of comedians who came of age in the 1970s and '80s, characterized by a world-weary, sarcastic wit that matched the malaise of the city where many of them made their profession. . .
He became a regular on late-night talk shows, and was loved as much for his tight acting as for his casual and open friendliness as an interviewee. And he was at the forefront of the stand-up comedy boom that came with the spread of cable television in the late 1980s.
Mr. Lewis later moved into acting. He starred in the sitcom “Anything but Love” opposite Jamie Lee Curtis from 1989 to 1992. Beginning in 1999, he had a regular, semi-fictional role as Larry's good friend and golf buddy in “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” David, the show's star and creator.
Although he did not appear in every episode, he appeared regularly, including this season, the show's final season.
A full obituary will be forthcoming.
Orlando Mayorquin contributed to the report.