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Featured: Richard Lewis
What’s in This Episode
- Richard Lewis retirement from stand-up comedy
- Richard Lewis Parkinson’s disease diagnosis
- Richard Lewis health struggles and surgeries
- Richard Lewis continues work on Curb Your Enthusiasm season 12
Questions Answered in This Episode
Did Richard Lewis retire from stand-up?
Yes, Richard Lewis announced he has retired from stand-up comedy after nearly 50 years in the business. He decided to call it quits while he felt he was at the top of his game.
Does Richard Lewis have Parkinson’s disease?
Yes, Richard Lewis was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease two years ago after visiting a neurologist. He reports that he progressed very slowly, if at all, and is on the right medication.
Why has Richard Lewis been inactive for three and a half years?
Lewis underwent four consecutive surgeries (back surgery, two shoulder surgeries including a replacement, and hip replacement) over several months, followed by recovery and physical therapy. He was also dealing with his Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Is Richard Lewis still acting?
Yes, Richard Lewis recently wrapped season 12 of Curb Your Enthusiasm and is focusing on writing and acting rather than stand-up comedy.
When was Richard Lewis diagnosed with Parkinson’s?
Richard Lewis was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease approximately two years before his announcement in April 2023, after he noticed he was walking stiffly and shuffling his feet.
Full Transcript
This transcript was automatically generated and may contain spelling and/or transcription errors.
The Shark Deck. Hey guys, a quick bonus episode. Richard Lewis has announced that he has retired from stand up He has also revealed he has Parkinson’s disease. He put out a statement via Twitter, let’s listen, Hey, listen. I just wrapped a couple of weeks ago of season twelve of Curb Your Enthusiasm, and it was just an amazing season and I’m so grateful to be part of that show.
But you know, in the last three and a half years, I had sort of a rocky time and people who said I haven’t heard from you, and are you still touring? Well, here’s really what happened. Three and a half years ago. I was in the middle of a tour and then I finally ended it with a show. I said, you know, I’m at the top of my game after fifty years almost I’m going to just call it quits.
And I felt great about that, and then out of the blue, I had four surgeries back to back to back to back. It was incredible. I mean, I couldn’t believe, you know, it was bad luck, but it’s life, you know. I had a back surgery, then I had to shoulder surgery. Then I had to shoulder replacement surgery, and then I had what was another thing I had?
Oh, I had a hip replacement. So you know, there was months where I was just focusing on PT like I am now. And on top of all of that, two years ago, I started walking a little stiffly. I was shuffling my feet, and I went to a neurologist and they gave me a brain scan and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. And I was about two years ago, but luckily I got it late in life.
And they say, you progressed very slowly, if at all. And I’m on the right mad so I’m cool. So I guess I just wanted you to know that that’s where it’s been at. I’m finished with stand up. I’m just focusing on writing and acting.
I have Parkinson’s disease, but I’m under a doctor’s care and everything is cool. And I love my wife, I love my little puppy dog, and I love all my friends and my fans.
And now you know where it’s been at the last three and a half years.
God bless you, Best of lucky. Richard Lewis back in the Morning with a regular episode