Renowned comedian Richard Lewis has announced his diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. The Curb Your Enthusiasm star revealed that he was diagnosed with the disease two years ago and has been facing several health issues in recent times.
The 75-year-old actor also announced that he would be retiring from stand-up comedy, but will continue his acting career. Lewis made the revelation in an emotional video on social media on Sunday. Read on to know more about the development.
Richard Lewis Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease
Lewis took to Twitter on April 23rd to share the news with his fans. He posted an emotional message in the form of a video and said, “Hey listen, I just wrapped a couple of weeks ago season 12 of Curb Your Enthusiasm and it was just an amazing season and I’m so grateful to be a part of that show.”
He further talked about why he has not been much active and revealed, “Here’s really what happened. Three and half years ago I was in the middle of a tour and I finally ended it with a show. I said, ‘You know I’m at the top of my game, after 15 years almost I’m going to call it quits,’ and I felt great about that and then out of the blue the s*** hit the fan.”
— Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) April 24, 2023
The comedian said that he felt stiffness while walking two years ago and ‘was shuffling his feet.’ He then went to a neurologist and got a brain scan done, which diagnosed Parkinson’s disease. “But 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,” said Lewis.
The Actor had Multiple Surgeries in Recent Years
Lewis, who appeared in only one episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm season 11, also revealed that he had four surgeries, including one on his back, two on his shoulders, and a hip replacement surgery which he underwent while being treated for Parkinson’s disease.
“I had four surgeries back to back to back, it was incredible, I couldn’t believe it, it was bad luck, but that’s life.” Parkinson’s disease is defined as ‘a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves.’
‘Symptoms start slowly. The first symptom may be a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder may also cause stiffness or slowing of movement,’ says Mayo Clinic. There is no cure for the condition, but medication can help improve symptoms.
Lewis Says He is Done with Stand-Up Comedy
Lewis, who started his career as a stand-up comedian in the early 1970s, now says that he is done with the stage. “I’m finished with stand-up, I’m just focused on writing and acting,” he announced in the video.
The actor is now under a doctor’s care. “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 of my friends and my fans, and now you know where it’s been at the last three and a half years” Lewis stated further.
For more news and updates, keep watching this space.
