Comedian And Actor Richard Lewis' Cause Of Death Explained
Comedian Richard Lewis, most recently known for playing a fictionalized version of himself on the HBO series "Curb Your Enthusiasm," has died. He passed away at his Los Angeles home on February 27, 2024 (per The Washington Post). According to the Los Angeles Times, the 76-year-old comic had a heart attack.
Lewis had previously retired from a 50-year career doing stand-up comedy after announcing in 2023 that he had Parkinson's disease, telling his Twitter followers, "For the last three-and-a-half years, I've had sort of a rocky time." He stated at the time that he had also had hip and shoulder replacement surgeries and was dealing with back pain.
The actor left "Curb Your Enthusiasm" in 2021 after appearing in only one episode of Season 11. However, he returned for the final season which is currently airing.
Per his publicist, he died peacefully (via The Hollywood Reporter).
Was Parkinson's disease related to Lewis' heart attack?
While no further information is available at this time about Lewis' cause of death, ParkinsonsDisease.net states that there is a potential link between having Parkinson's disease and being at greater risk for heart problems, including heart attack. A heart attack occurs when the heart's blood vessels become clogged with plaque, blocking the flow of blood to the heart and creating damage.
While Parkinson's is often thought of as being a movement disorder, the damage that it causes to nerves can also lead to abnormal heart rhythms and large drops in blood pressure. This can reduce the amount of blood that reaches the brain and body, which increases the risk for cardiovascular disease.
The organization advises that people living with Parkinson's disease should get at least 150 minutes of exercise per week; quit smoking; eat a heart-healthy diet; and manage conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol in order to reduce their risk.