Why Larry David Says He’ll ‘Never Forgive’ Richard Lewis
HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Actor/comedian Richard Lewis and Larry David attend the 41st AFI Life Achievement Award Honoring Mel Brooks after party at Dolby Theatre on June 6, 2013 in Hollywood, California. Special Broadcast will air Saturday, June 15 at 9:00 P.M. ET/PT on TNT and Wednesday, July 24 on TCM as part of an All-Night Tribute to Brooks. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for AFI)
Larry David has revealed the heartbreaking reason he will “never” be able to forgive Richard Lewis, who died on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at age 76.
The Curb Your Enthusiasm star and creator penned a short tribute to Lewis on Wednesday, Feb. 28, as news of the comedian’s death spread. In the touching statement, David remembered his longtime friend and shared how the death was impacting him.
“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,” David’s statement said. "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.”
Curb Your Enthusiasm, on which Lewis also starred as himself, shared David’s statement on Instagram.
Lewis’ publicist told The Associated Press that Lewis passed away after suffering a heart attack. His death comes less than a year after the Robin Hood: Men in Tights actor announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
David, 76, was one of many actors and comedians who paid tribute to Lewis on social media. Their Curb co-star, Cheryl Hines, also remembered Lewis in a statement on X, writing that to “be loved” by Lewis was a “true gift.”
“He would take time to tell the people he loved what they meant to him,” Hines tweeted. “In between takes on Curb, he would tell me how special I was to him and how much he loved me.”
He would take time to tell the people he loved what they meant to him. 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. #RichardLewis pic.twitter.com/7zJzKVPSfH— Cheryl Hines (@CherylHines) February 28, 2024
Lewis’ Robin Hood: Men in Tights co-star, Cary Elwes, also paid tribute to the late actor, recalling that they were “literally just making plans to get together.”
“Besides your remarkable talent there was no one sweeter or more generous than you, my friend,” Elwes tweeted. "I miss you already & forever. Rest in Power, Richard.”
Noooo….. We were literally just making plans to get together. Besides your remarkable talent there was no one sweeter or more generous than you, my friend. I miss you already & forever. Rest in Power, Richard. Our sincere condolences to Joyce, his family & fans @TheRichardLewis pic.twitter.com/4vqxagwqiw
— Cary Elwes (@Cary_Elwes) February 28, 2024
Fellow comedian Bill Burr meanwhile remembered Lewis as a “true original.”
“An absolutely fearless comedian who did and said what he wanted,” Burr said on X.
R.I.P. to a true original @TheRichardLewis An absolutely fearless comedian who did and said what he wanted. ????
— Bill Burr (@billburr) February 28, 2024
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