RICHARD
LEWIS
BIOGRAPHY Perhaps
Mel Brooks put it best when he said, Lewis
has taken his lifelong therapy fodder and carved it into a commanding,
compelling art The NY Times said, “This renowned comedian, often considered to be the heir to Lenny Bruce, is a master of long form storytelling who turns his endless neurotic energy into brilliant comedy.” 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'. In December of 1989, Lewis achieved a very personal goal...he performed at Carnegie Hall to a standing room only audience. Wrapping
up 2015 In May, his book “Reflections From Hell: 'Richard Lewis' Guide on How Not to Live", was published by PowerHouse. He collaborated with longtime friend and patron of his, the extraordinary NY artist, Carl Nicholas Titolo, who put his artistic imagery to Lewis’s wildly warped and often profound musings, which turned into a dream team of "poignant craziness." Larry David, Lewis' lifelong friend and also a patron to the artist, contributed a mind-blowing Foreword. His 2 DVD package box set, “A Bundle of Nerves” is a collective creative cross section spanning 40 years. It includes a vintage 1997 HBO comedy special, “Magical Misery Tour”; the dramatic television film “Diary of a Young Comic” in which he starred and co-wrote, aired in 1979 in the SNL time slot; and his documentary, “House of a Lifetime”, where Lewis takes the viewer on a tour of his home with its collection of artifacts and art from generations of those who have inspired him. Television: 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." StandUp: Another time Reich reflected on his history with Lewis. "Nearly 20 years ago... I headed for Zanies 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..." City Weekly of Salt Lake City concurred, "Nowhere will you find an entertainer so committed to his craft as comedian Richard Lewis.... His ability to keep people laughing at his self-loathing and dark views on every aspect of his life is what keeps him one of the greatest comedians of all time." At Mort Sahl’s 80th birthday tribute in 2007, featuring a who's who of comic genius, Mark Groubert writing for Crooksandliars.com, commented: "But this Night at the Opera belonged to none other than Richard Lewis who has hit his comic stride entering the free form worlds of both Lenny Bruce and the underappreciated 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." In the New York Times, Elise Czajkpwski recently wrote, "This renowned comedian, considered an heir to Lenny Bruce, is a master of long-form storytelling who turns his endless neurotic energy into brilliant comedy." Philadelphia's
City Paper commented, "Indeed, he is the Jimi Hendrix of monologists,
whose virtuoso free-form riffs on exgirlfriends, family and other antagonistic
denizens from hell are delivered in a mesmerizing, stream-of-consciousness
frenzy, a piss-yourself-laughing assault on the senses. Vintage
Lewis is available in the box set of his “Concerts from Hell”
(The Vintage Years), containing three Literary: The Huffington Post said this of the book: "Other than Lewis's paperback catharsis, which probably belongs in the alienated, dyspeptic Jewish-American canon along with Philip Roth, Henry Roth, Lenny Bruce, and all the rest, comedians' memoirs tend to be pretty breezy--and very short--reads...” 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." Lewis has been a contributing writer for Playboy Magazine, writing numerous pieces over the years and has penned many articles for numerous publications over the years. He has been featured, mentioned and has contributed to countless books and most recently, "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. Film: In
closing: Regarded
by his peers as a 'comic's comic', Lewis' neuroses have become a part
of our vernacular as in the Richard is especially grateful for his 22 years of sobriety. In Richard’s own words --"I go on a long tour and make people happy that they're not me and go home." Follow Richard on Twitter @TheRichardLewis Media Contact: Michelle Marx 719.231.2882 michelle@mmarxinc.com |