Richard Lewis, the comedian and Curb Your Enthusiasm star, passed away at the age of 76 from a heart attack. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, his close friend and co-star in the sitcom Anything But Love (1989–1992), paid an emotional tribute on Instagram. She credited Lewis as the reason she became and remained sober, calling his support one of the greatest gifts of her life.

Curtis recalled first noticing Lewis from a billboard and insisting that he be cast as Marty Gold in Anything But Love due to their instant chemistry. She shared fond memories of his unique acting style—such as hiding lines on props or even her face during filming—and praised his talent for both comedy and depth.

She highlighted their shared grief over the deaths of mutual friends, including Richard Frank and John Ritter, and revealed that in his final text, Lewis had hoped for the release of another box set of their show. Curtis also emphasized how important sobriety and his marriage to Joyce Lapinsky were to him, describing them as the center of his happiness.

Other tributes poured in: Larry David described Lewis as “like a brother” and one of the rare people who was both extremely funny and genuinely kind. Cheryl Hines remembered her admiration for him as a young fan, later working with him on Curb Your Enthusiasm and cherishing his constant expressions of love and kindness toward those close to him.

Jamie Lee Curtis concluded her message with gratitude, love, and the wish that Richard Lewis may “rest in laughter.”