‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ star Richard Lewis shares his Parkinson’s diagnosis

April 25, 2023

“Fortunately, I caught it late,” said Lewis, who has been off his feet for three and a half years. “I’m taking the right medicines, so I’m calm.”

“Curb Your Enthusiasm” fan favorite Richard Lewis recently opened up about his “rocky time” amid a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

Lewis shared a video on social media about his multiple surgeries over the past three years, including a hip replacement. The comedian used to announced in 2021 that he will not be appearing in the 11th season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” due to ongoing health issues. Lewis appeared in a cameo role and will return as a main character for the upcoming 12th season.

“Hey, listen, I just finished season 12 of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ a couple of weeks ago and it was an amazing season and I’m so grateful to be a part of this show,” Lewis said in the video. “But you know I’ve been going through really rough times for the last three and a half years and people were like, ‘I haven’t heard from you, are you still touring?’

He continued: “This is what actually happened: Three and a half years ago I was in the middle of a tour and I ended up doing a show. I was like, ‘You know I’m at the top of my game, I’m about to call it quits after 15 years,’ and I felt really good about it, and then all of a sudden the crap hit the fan. He underwent four operations in a row, it was unbelievable, I couldn’t believe it, it was bad luck, but that’s life.”

Lewis said that two years ago he “started walking a little stiffly” and was “shuffling” on his feet.

“I went to a neurologist and they did a brain scan and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and that was about two years ago,” he said. “But luckily I got it late and they say you progress very slowly, if at all, and I’m on the right medication so I’m relaxed.”

Lewis added: “I just wanted to let you know that this is where it happened. I just focus on writing and acting. I have Parkinson’s but I am under medical supervision and everything is fine. I love my wife, I love my little puppy, and I love all my friends and fans. And now he knows where he’s been for the past three and a half years. God bless you.”

Michael J. Fox, who lived with Parkinson’s disease for years, recently chronicled his health journey in the Sundance documentary “Still.” Director Lars von Trier similarly shared his diagnosis in August 2021.