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Richard Lewis (at a basketball game in 2012)

Photo: Alex Gallardo / AP

For decades, Richard Lewis was an integral part of the US comedy scene.

Always dressed in black, he exposed his neuroses on the stand-up stages, among other things.

He didn't get his nickname “Prince of Pain” without reason.

Despite this – or precisely because of this – he was just as popular with the audience as he was with his colleagues.

Now the US comedian and actor, who starred alongside “Seinfeld” producer Larry David in the sitcom “Leave it, Larry!” (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), has died.

His spokesman Jeff Abraham said on Wednesday (local time) that he died peacefully in his home in Los Angeles after a heart attack.

Lewis was 76 years old.

He announced last year that he had Parkinson's disease.

He therefore no longer appeared on stage.

Nevertheless, he can be seen in the current season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm”.

Comedian David described Lewis as a "rare mix, the funniest and at the same time the sweetest person."

In the improv sitcom “Leave it, Larry!”, which has been running since 2000, Lewis had a supporting role as a cynical, neurotic comedian who plays a fictional version of himself.

Many stars pay tribute

Lewis made his breakthrough in the United States in the 1980s as a stand-up comedian with his typically biting and dark humor.

He became known to a wider audience through his role in “Robin Hood” by Mel Brooks in the early 1990s, where Lewis played Prince John.

He also repeatedly had guest appearances in the hit series “Leave it, Larry!”.

Numerous colleagues paid tribute to the late comedian.

Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis described him as a wonderful actor and "incredibly funny."

She is eternally grateful to him for helping her overcome her addiction problems.

She recalled their joint sitcom “Everything but Love” (1989 to 1992), in which they played lovers.

Stars like Bette Midler, Steve Martin, Albert Brooks and Ben Stiller also expressed their sadness and praised his talent.

In addition to TV series, he also made feature films such as the Western parody "Wagons East" (1994) and "Leaving Las Vegas" (1995) alongside Nicolas Cage.

jok/dpa