Comedian and «Curb Your Enthusiasm» actor Richard Lewis revealed in a video posted Sunday on Twitter that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
The comedian said he has had «a tough time» in the last three years with his health. In addition to Parkinson’s disease, Lewis had several surgeries on his shoulder, back, and hip. For these reasons, Lewis is focusing strictly on «writing and acting» these days and no longer performs in stand-up.
“Listen, I just wrapped ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ Season 12 a couple of weeks ago and it was an amazing season and I’m so thankful to be a part of that show,” Lewis said. «But you know, in the last three and a half years, I’ve had a tough time and people were like, ‘I haven’t heard from you, are you still on tour?'»
«This is really what happened,» Lewis continued. “Three and a 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 I’m almost going to call it quits,’ and I felt really good about it and then all of a sudden the m— hit the fan. I had four surgeries in a row, it was amazing, I couldn’t believe it, it was bad luck, but that’s life.»
«I just wanted you to know that that’s where he’s been,» he concluded. “I’m done with stand-up. I’m just focusing on writing and acting. I have Parkinson’s disease, but I am under a doctor’s care and everything is fine. I love my wife, I love my puppy, and I love all my friends and fans. And now you know where he’s been for the last three and a half years. God bless you.»
Lewis said his Parkinson’s diagnosis came after he «went to a neurologist and they did a brain scan» because he noticed some changing movements in his feet.
And he added: “That was about two years ago. But luckily I got it late in life and they say you progress very slowly if you do and I’m on the right meds so I’m fine.»
In «Curb Your Enthusiasm,» which is expected to premiere its 12th season on HBO before the end of the year, Lewis plays a fictionalized version of himself. The comedian is also known for starring in the sitcom “Anything but Love” and the movie “Robin Hood: Men in Tights”. Despite recent reports that “Curb Your Enthusiasm” would end after its 12th season, the series is expected to continue for as long as creator Larry David wants to continue.