Comedian Richard Lewis is battling Parkinson’s disease and has retired from stand-up comedy.
The “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star, 75, announced the news Sunday night in a video shared on social media.
“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,” Lewis explained. “And I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.”
Lewis had been absent from the stand-up circuit for a few years.
“People have said, ‘Gee, I haven’t heard from you,’ and ‘Are you still touring?’” Lewis said. “Three and a half years ago, I was in the middle of a tour, and then I finally ended with a show. I said, ‘You know, I’m at the top of my game. After 50 years, almost, I’m gonna just call it quits.’ And I felt great about that.”
But even if Lewis hadn’t wanted to retire, his body made the choice for him. The veteran funnyman had a total of four surgeries on his back, hip and shoulder.
At one point, he even thought the procedures would keep him off “Curb Your Enthusiasm” for season 11, but showrunner Larry David brought him back for an episode. He recently wrapped up filming season 12.
Lewis said he received the Parkinson’s diagnosis shortly after he finished recovering from the various surgeries.
“It was bad luck, but it’s life,” Lewis said Sunday. “Luckily, I got it late in life, and they say you progress very slowly if at all. And I’m on the right meds, so I’m cool. So, I guess I just wanted you to know 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.”
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