Remembering 2024’s Losses: Richard Lewis

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Since I love comedy, it hurts to see someone who was so good at it pass away. Among the losses we suffered in 2024 was this comedic great, and that’s why I’m highlighting him today as we look back at what we lost in 2024. Richard Lewis I’m paranoid about everything. I have a rear-view mirror on my stationary bike at home. Richard Lewis was the king of paranoia/anxiety comedy. A more cerebral Rodney Dangerfield, I think would be a good descriptor of him. That’s pretty stereotypical of Jewish humor: the “guilt,” the anxiety of the overbearing mother, and all of those typecasts we get from the Jewish comedians (although the Jewish people I know swear it’s NOT a joke about the Jewish mothers!). In addition to his long career as a comedian, Lewis was an actor, most notably on Curb Your Enthusiasm. He also wrote his autobiography, The Second Great Depression. I really got to know and laugh at Lewis’ comedy with his 1985 Showtime special I’m in Pain. He had a great set-up: he’d dress in all black, to emphasize his neurotic life. And oh, was it neurotic. Sadly, a lot of it was true: he did suffer from depression, anxiety disorder, and had a bout with addictions. He also had a bad back, and late in life he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He died of a heart attack in February 2024, leaving a lot of heartbroken people…but still grateful for his great comedy. Richard Lewis Born Richard Philip Lewis, June 29, 1947, New York, New York Died February 27, 2024, Los Angeles, California (heart attack) (age 76) A clip of Lewis on Jimmy Kimmel’s show: