Comedian/actor Richard Lewis Hosts VSDA Award Show in Las Vegas
Comedian/actor Richard Lewis hosted the Video Software Dealers Association’s award show at the organization’s annual home video convention at the Bellagio on July 27, 2005, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event was captured in a photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images.
Richard Lewis’ Contribution to the Lexicon
By February 28, 2024, Richard Lewis is set to have the idiom he coined included in Bartlett’s dictionary of quotations. He claimed credit for originating the phrase “the ___ from hell,” whether referring to a girlfriend, night, or an unpleasant airplane trip. Despite its widespread adoption, Bartlett’s initially denied him recognition. This struggle for acknowledgment was later portrayed on Curb Your Enthusiasm, a series where he played a fictionalized version of himself based on his real-life friendship with creator Larry David, whom he met and instantly disliked at camp.
Lewis, recognizable for his signature all-black attire, his stand-up comedy, and his notable roles in films like Robin Hood: Men in Tights, passed away on a Tuesday night due to a heart attack at the age of 76.
Lewis’ Resilience and Humor
Lewis had been battling illness for some time, a topic that was humorously touched upon by David on Curb Your Enthusiasm, where he jokingly asked Lewis, “When are you going to die?” Lewis’ ability to take such jests in good humor showcased his resilient and comedic nature.
From Brooklyn to Hollywood: Lewis’ Journey
Born into a Jewish family in Brooklyn and raised in Englewood, New Jersey, Lewis had a childhood marked by his father’s absence despite his success as a caterer. Reflecting on his upbringing, Lewis humorously recalled the irony of his bar mitzvah celebration being scheduled on a Tuesday due to his father’s catering commitments, highlighting moments of low self-esteem.
Transitioning his neurotic tendencies and self-deprecating humor into a thriving stand-up career, Lewis ventured into acting in 1979 with a role in Diary of a Young Comic as Billy Gondolstein, a character aspiring to fame in Los Angeles.
The Comedy Legacy of Richard Lewis
Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, Lewis made appearances on popular talk shows like Late Night and The Tonight Show with David Letterman. It was on Letterman’s show that Lewis popularized the phrase “___ from hell.” His portrayal of Prince John in Mel Brooks’ Robin Hood: Men in Tights in 1993 remains a standout performance in his career.
Lewis’ self-produced stand-up specials garnered him a devoted following and sold-out shows. However, it was his enduring collaboration with Larry David, stemming from their turbulent past at camp, that yielded some of his most memorable moments across 12 seasons of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Their on-screen dynamics, including a storyline where David reluctantly donates a kidney to Lewis, resonated with audiences.
Remembering Richard Lewis
In a heartfelt tribute, David expressed his deep bond with Lewis, likening their relationship to that of brothers. Lewis’ revelation of his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis last year coincided with his retirement from stand-up, emphasizing his love for family, friends, and fans.
In an interview with The Forward, Lewis likened his life to an extended Curb Your Enthusiasm episode, reflecting on the humor and challenges that shaped his journey. Despite his struggles, Richard Lewis leaves behind a legacy that is far from hellish, but rather one filled with laughter and lasting memories.