Comic Richard Lewis reveals Parkinson’s diagnosis: ‘I’m finished’
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” star Richard Lewis devastated fans after revealing that he has Parkinson’s in a heartbreaking Twitter video.
The comedian had reportedly been diagnosed with the disease two years ago but didn’t break the news publicly until Sunday via his social media post.
“I have Parkinson’s disease, but I’m under a doctor’s care and everything is cool,” declared the veteran actor-comic, 75, adding, “I’m finished with standup. I’m just focusing on writing and acting” from here on out.
In the two-minute clip, posted Sunday, the native Brooklynite announced that he’d “just wrapped” filming on Season 12 of Larry David’s iconic sitcom, adding that he was “so grateful to be part of that show.”
That’s when the conversation took a somber turn.
“But you know the last three and a half years I’ve had sort of a rocky time,” the “Leaving Las Vegas” actor lamented. “And people have said, ‘Gee I haven’t heard from you, are you still touring?’ Well, here’s really what happened.”
Lewis explained that his troubles began three and a half years ago when he was in the middle of a comedy tour and decided that he “didn’t want to be on the road” anymore.
“I said, ‘You know, I’m at the top of my game,’ ” the comic described. “After 50 years almost, I’m just going to call it quits.’ And I felt great about that. And then out of the blue, the s – – t hit the fan.”
The funnyman said he underwent four consecutive operations: back surgery, shoulder surgery, shoulder-replacement surgery and hip-replacement surgery.
Unfortunately, that was just the tip of the iceberg.
“On top of that, two years ago, I started walking stiffly, I was shuffling my feet,” described Lewis. “I went to a neurologist, and they gave me a brain scan and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves.”
“Symptoms start slowly. The first symptom may be a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand,” they write. “Tremors are common, but the disorder may also cause stiffness or slowing of movement.”
In general, the neurological disorder’s symptoms worsen as the condition progresses over time, per the medical site.
Lewis said that the one silver lining was that he “got it late in life, and they say you progress very slowly if at all.”
Friends and fans sent Lewis their positive thoughts on Twitter.
“I love you, Richard! Before I ever knew you, I loved watching you perform,” wrote “Curb” co-star Cheryl Hines. “You’re just a beautiful person. I hope the love you’re receiving from everyone will continue to make you stronger everyday.”
“I love @TheRichardLewis,” added Ben Stiller, who appeared on Season 4 of the Larry David sitcom. “One of the funniest ever. Richard you’re an amazing person and I’ve been your fan since I was about 12 which is a very long time. And we’re both still here! Stay strong.”
“Star Wars” icon Mark Hamill also offered his support, writing: “Wishing you all the best & thanking you for a lifetime of laughs.”
Lewis has been a regular cast member on “Curb” since the show premiered in 2000.
He plays a semi-autobiographical version of himself as Larry’s neurotic, nebbishy comedian friend whose relationships always seem to end in disaster.
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