Larry David (left) and Richard Lewis.Photo:Stephen Shugerman/Getty
Stephen Shugerman/Getty
Richard LewisandLarry David’s friendship spanned decades, both onscreen and off.
Born just three days apart in the same hospital in 1947, they were fated to become the best of friends. At 12-years-old, they met for the first time at summer camp, though they instantly came to odds upon introduction.
In a 2023 interview withThe Spectator, Lewis recalled how he “disliked him intensely.”
“When we played baseball, I tried to hit him with the ball," he shared. “We were arch rivals. I couldn’t wait for the camp to be over just to get away from Larry. I’m sure he felt the same way.”
Larry David (left) and Richard Lewis.Charley Gallay/FilmMagic
Charley Gallay/FilmMagic
However, the stars aligned and Lewis and David met again 11 years later while working the New York comedy scene. The late actor confessed he didn’t recognize him until they shared a few drinks one night and he was finally able to put a face to a name.
“I looked at his face and I said, ‘There’s something about you, man, that spooks me.’ Just saying that spooks everyone! It clicked. ‘You’re Richard Lewis!' ‘You’re Larry David!’ … I was yelling at him, he was yelling at me,” he recalled to The Spectator with a laugh.
In a2002 conversationat the Paley Center for Media, David recalled their early memories fondly and shared how they became “instant best friends.”
The pair both went on to dominate comedy in Hollywood, and Lewis eventually joined David’sCurb Your Enthusiasmin 2000. On the HBO series, Lewis and David played fictionalized versions of themselves with Lewis appearing in more than 40 episodes.
Larry David and Richard Lewis in ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’.John P. Johnson/ HBO
John P. Johnson/ HBO
“Our relationship in life is very much, I would say almost exactly what it is in life as what it is on the show,” David said at the Paley Center. “We scream at each other. We fight all the time, but we have a lot of fun. We have a great time. It’s a great friendship. I love him.”
In 2021, Lewis announced he would be stepping back from the series and retiring from comedy in order to focus on his health. Two years later, in April 2023, he announced he had been privatelydealing with Parkinson’s disease.
He eventually returned for the 12th and final season ofCurb Your Enthusiasm,which is currently airing on HBO.
Larry David, Richard Lewis and Jeff Garlin in ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’.Everett
Everett
On Tuesday, PEOPLE confirmed that Lewis haddied peacefullyin his home after suffering a heart attack. He was 76.
Shortly after, David shared his ownreaction to the sad newsand reflected on their lifelong friendship. “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,” he said in a statement. “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.”
In an episode ofCurb Your Enthusiasmthat aired earlier this month, Lewis joked about writing theSeinfeldco-creator into his will while playing a round of golf.
Richard Lewis and Larry David on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’.John Johnson/HBO
John Johnson/HBO
“I have better news for you. I’m leaving you in my will. I’m tweaking it, and you’re in it,” Lewis told David while discussing the good fortune they had been experiencing in their lives.
“When I die, I want you to know how much I cared about you,” he explained after David’s protests, adding, “You’re my best friend. You’re getting it.”
David kept repeating that he didn’t want the money, to which Lewis said he would be giving it to him anyway, causing David to say, “Oh my god. F— you.”
Lewis' will wasbrought up again later in the episodewhen the two went golfing once more, and he said he would be seeing an estate attorney later that week.
Richard Lewis on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’.John Johnson/HBO
“You know, it’s kind of starting to dawn on me what’s going on. You’re putting me in your will because you want me to put you in my will,” said David, to which Lewis asked him, “Are you out of your f—ing mind?” He noted how that move would be “shallow” and “manipulative.”
After Lewis called it a “low point in their friendship,” David said he would put Lewis on his will, and the two discussed how they would work out what each other gets.
“By the way, what makes you think I’m going to die before you?” David later asked Lewis, who responded, “You’re a little ragged right now. I’m in a little better shape than you.”
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New episodes ofCurb Your Enthusiasmare available to stream Sundays on Max.
source: people.com
