Jamie Lee Curtis Says Richard Lewis 'Is The Reason I Am Sober:' 'Forever Grateful'
As the world mourns the loss of the iconic comedian and actor Richard Lewis, who died at the age of 76 on Tuesday, one of his Hollywood friends is honoring his memory and thanking him for their sobriety.
In a heartfelt Instagram post shared on Wednesday, Jamie Lee Curtis paid a moving tribute to her late friend and acknowledged Lewis's pivotal role in her journey to sobriety. Their bond, forged during their time together on USA's sitcom 'Anything but Love,' transcended the screen, leaving a significant mark on Curtis's life.
"Richard's last text to me, was hoping that I could convince ABC/Disney to put out another boxed set of episodes of the show," Curtis wrote. "He also is the reason I am sober. He helped me. I am forever grateful for him for that act of grace alone. He found love with Joyce and that, of course, besides his sobriety, is what mattered most to him."
"I'm weeping as I write this," the 'Halloween' star continued in the post's caption. "Strange way of saying thank you to a sweet and funny man. Rest in laughter, Richard. My Marty, I love you, Hannah!
RELATED: Did Melania Trump Undergo Surgery? Experts Believe She Had A Nose Job, Other Enhancements
Curtis, 65, has been open about dealing with opiate addiction in the past. She recently celebrated 25 years of sobriety.
Lewis would also talk about his own struggles with addiction. The Brooklyn native often joked about his problems with alcohol, cocaine and crystal meth in his stand-up comedy. He shared his journey to staying sober in his memoir, 'The Other Great Depression.' Lewis mentioned that he quit drinking and using drugs in August 1994 after almost dying in the hospital.
The 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' actor reportedly died of a heart attack.
Last April, Lewis announced he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and would retire from stand-up comedy. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Lapinsky.
