Richard Lewis loss of life: Comedian’s wife Joyce Lapinsky makes first statement on sad news

Richard Lewis‘ wife says she has been “so touched” by the tributes shared within the days because the comic’s loss of life aged 76.

Lewis, identified for his performances in Curb Your Enthusiasm and Robin Hood: Men in Tights, died at house in Los Angeles on February 27 after struggling a coronary heart assault.

Now, his wife Joyce Lapinsky has spoken publicly for the first time since dropping her husband, sharing a brief message through his X (previously Twitter) account.

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“This is Joyce, Richard’s wife,” she wrote.

“Thank you for your loving tributes. He would be beyond thrilled and so touched, as am I.

“In response to the various queries, I do know Richard would admire donations in his reminiscence to the Los Angeles-based charity comedygivesback.com or the charity of your alternative.”

The couple met in 1998, reportedly at an album release party held by musician Ringo Star.

Lapinsky worked in music publishing at the time.

After that first encounter, Lewis says he told sportscaster Bob Costas, “I met the lady I’m going to marry.”

That declaration turned true in 2005, with the couple having develop into engaged a yr earlier.

Lewis’ publicist Jeff Abraham confirmed the news of his loss of life final week.

”His wife, Joyce Lapinsky, thanks everybody for all of the love, friendship and help and asks for privateness at the moment,” Abraham famous.

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The news got here virtually a yr after Lewis introduced he had been recognized with Parkinson’s illness and was retiring.

“I went to a neurologist and so they gave me a mind scan and I used to be recognized with Parkinson’s illness, and that was about two years in the past,” he said in April 2023.

“But fortunately I acquired it late in life and so they say you progress very slowly, if in any respect, and I’m on the appropriate meds, so I’m cool.”