RICHARD LEWIS
Perhaps Mel Brooks put it best when he said, "Richard Lewis may
just be the Franz Kafka of modern day comedy."
Lewis has taken his lifelong therapy fodder and
carved it into a commanding, compelling art form. His early career
as a stand-up brought him to the top of his ranks and over time he
broadened the scope of opportunities so others could share in his
brilliantly warped world. The NY Post recently said; “Richard
Lewis built the strongest stand-up comedy career on a blazing trail
of neuroses since Woody Allen.”
Lewis can currently be seen on his sixth season
of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and is on his “Misery
Loves Company Stand-Up Tour.” Lewis is also in the process of
updating his book “The Other Great Depression” to be reprinted,
with updates, through Public Affairs Books in April ’08. He’s
furthering along the development of his own "dark ensemble comedy,”
and all the while praying that Mr. David will be inspired for a seventh
season of "Curb."
SAG nominated Lewis for his work in the ensemble category for his
recurring guest star role, playing true-to-life as one of Larry David’s
closest friends in “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” the Seinfeld
co-creator’s hit HBO series. The show has garnered many awards
to include five Emmy nominations and high praise. Vanity Fair stated,
"The supporting cast of Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm is
a murderer's row of stand-up comedians-Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman,
Richard Lewis, Cheryl Hines, Shelley Berman--cutting loose in character
roles with killer instinct." Through the years Richard has received
much kudos for his work alongside his buddy, Larry David. The New
York Times commented that, "...not nearly enough of Richard Lewis,
whose job is the hardest of all because his character must truly suffer
and endure in a context where feelings are as anathema as M&M's
in a dentist's office. Never upsetting the show's distinct tenor of
emotional apathy, Mr. Lewis here showcases his particular genius through
a bout with kidney failure. He needs a new one, and oh, by the way,
guess who isn't donating?" The Los Angeles Times added, ..."But
it's comedian Richard Lewis--himself famous for an act built on despair--who
memorably sulks his way through a pair of early episodes as one of
the few people in the business who can match David hang-up for hang-up,
neurosis for neurosis...David and Lewis reluctantly help a blind man
move furniture in his new apartment. It's a classic."
Lewis is often compared to a jazz musician for his wild riffs that
fly out into space but always find a way to float back into rhythm
as they splatter recurring themes against a spiraling, lyrical backdrop.
After Mort Saul's’ 80th birthday tribute this summer, featuring
a who’s who of comic genius, Mark Groubert writing for the web
site, Crooksandliars.com, commented.: “But this Night at the
Opera belonged to none other than Richard Lewis…..has hit his
comic stride entering the free form worlds of both Lenny Bruce and
the under appreciated Lord Buckley. Groovin’ high, and dressed
in a zippered black suit possibly designed by the mistress of the
Dali Lama, the ‘Prince of Pain’ came to compete. Melting
the house and forcing grown men to weep openly Richard Lewis bombarded
the crowd from one obtuse comedy angle after another. If this was
the comedy World Series, Lewis was the King in his Court. For nearly
twenty minutes he induced non-stop howling by every living, breathing
thing in the house.”
Howard Reich, of the Chicago Tribune reflected
on his history with Lewis. "Nearly 20 years ago... I headed for
Zanie's and witnessed the most audacious comic wordsmith this side
of Lenny Bruce: a young neurotic comedian named Richard Lewis. Ever
since that revelatory evening I've followed Richard's ascent as perhaps
the most gifted comedian of his generation." Indeed others agree.
The Baltimore Jewish Times said, "Lewis is oftentimes compared
to the late Lenny Bruce, the prolific, dissenting comedic voice of
the '60's. And the two share many things in common--Judaism, an uncommon
intelligence and irreverence for topics considered untouchable. Like
Bruce, Mr. Lewis lays his soul bare on the stage, with fearlessness
and many times, recklessness..."
Comedy Central has recognized Mr. Lewis as one of the top 50 stand-up
comedians of all time and he was charted on GQ Magazine’s list
of the '20th Century's Most Influential Humorists'. Philadelphia’s
City Paper says, “Indeed, he is the Jimi Hendrix of monologists,
whose virtuoso free-form riffs on ex-girlfriends, family and other
antagonistic denizens from hell are delivered in a mesmerizing, stream-of-consciousness
frenzy, a piss-yourself-laughing assault on the senses. Not only is
he one of the undisputed masters of postmodern comedy, but also to
incurable, self-loathing neurotics he is a patron saint who deserves
to be canonized”.
Lewis has in release a boxed set of his Concerts from Hell" (The
Vintage Years) containing three comedy specials: HBO originally aired
"I'm Exhausted," earning him an ACE nomination for Best
Stand-Up Comedy Special and I'm Doomed, his second for HBO, also earned
an Ace nomination. His cable-special debut, "I'm In Pain"
had aired on Showtime. Playboy says, "Kvetching is elevated to
surreal art in these great comedy performances. The titles say it
all. Don't miss." He's also featured in two books; one an upcoming,
high profile book on comedy, “I'm Dying Up Here,” which
chronicles the collective coming of age of the standup comedians who
defined American humor during the past three decades: Letterman, Leno,
Robin Williams, Andy Kaufman, Richard Lewis and Garry Shandling among
others, by author William Knoedelseder. The other is a behind the
scenes look at the making of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Additionally, in
the fall of ’06, Yale Book of Quotations attributed the now-common
phrase, “the ____ from hell” to him in that fresh edition.
Lewis added author to his credits in 2000 with his highly acclaimed,
autobiographical, “The OTHER Great Depression” due back
on bookshelves in April of ’08. In the memoir he is brave, insightful
and forthcoming as he is in his comedy. He disrobes his substance
abuse and recovery, skewing it his unique way. First published by
the prestigious Perseus/ Public Affairs Books, the book is a collection
of fearless, essay style riffs featuring Lewis' dark stream-of-consciousness
personal observations. In 2002 it appeared in paperback on Plume Books,
a division of Penguin Putnam Inc. --New York Magazine said, “Lewis’s
standard of total honesty [has] allowed him to unearth neuroses he'd
never even touch onstage—or on the couch.”; Entertainment
Weekly added, [An] urgent, nervous, heartfelt book . . .Lewis writes
with an addict’s jumpy restlessness, staggering from hurt to
hurt, from tensely jokey confession to confession, from twitchy spiritual
discovery to discovery.”; –USA Today said it was “Candid
and inspirational.” ; While the Cleveland Plain Dealer notes,
“Lewis…has narrative gifts few celebrity authors exhibit.”
In continuing to redefine himself, he has always expanded on his acting
career by making unexpected choices. He took on his first dramatic
role in the theatrical release, “Drunks,” co-starring
Dianne Weist, Faye Dunaway and Amanda Plummer. Built around an AA
meeting, he received rave reviews as the central character, Jimmy
Epstein, an addict fighting for his life. With scores of other guest
acting appearances in TV series and films he tries to be as diverse
as possible in his choices from appearing on such shows as 21/2 Men
and The Dead Zone to such polar opposites in the past such as Alias
and Seventh Heaven. Yet, most close to his heart was his four year
run in ABC’s critically acclaimed series "Anything But
Love," co-starring with Jamie Lee Curtis, "Anything but
Love", now out on DVD with Volume One of the four year situation
comedy. "Diary of a Young Comic," which he starred in and
co-wrote, first aired on NBC in the "Saturday Night Live"
time slot and is considered a cult classic. Late night TV viewers
and media junkies in general are familiar with his frequent guest
appearances. He may hold title to having the most late night appearances,
chalking up well over 100 appearances with Dave, Jay, Conan, Jon and
Maher.
Regarded by his peers as a 'comic's comic', Lewis' neuroses have become
a part of our language as in the now infamous, "I had a date
from Hell!" In July '95 Lewis performed live stand-up comedy
for the first time in over two years with his "Magical Misery
Tour." Shot at New York's historic Bottom Line HBO aired the
one-hour special in December '96, making it a rare accomplishment
in completing his fourth full hour-long cable special. In December
of 1989, Lewis achieved a very personal goal...he performed at Carnegie
Hall to a standing room only audience. To close, in his own words--"I
go on a long tour and make people happy that they're not me and go
home."
102007
