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News of his death broke Wednesday, and social media quickly filled with tributes.
Lewis was known for his wit but also his warmth and care for fellow comics.
FormerSimpsonsshowrunner Mike Scully wrote on Twitter about meeting Lewis at the Improv and saying he was a fan.
Lewis thanked him and asked if he was also a comic.
He couldve just said thanks and left, Scully wrote.
He had that rare combination of being the funniest person and also the sweetest.
But today he made me sob and for that Ill never forgive him.
Albert Brooks called Lewis a brilliantly funny man and a person the world needed now more than ever.
Comedian Paula Poundstone posted a photo of her with Lewis and Robin Williams.
Ran into Richard Lewis in Improv bathroom 1982, said I’m a fan.
RL: “Thanks.
You a comic?”
me: ‘no, just open mics’ RL: “Do you go on stage?”
me: ‘yeah’ RL: “Do you tell jokes?”
me: ‘yeah’ RL:“Then you’re a comic.”
He could’ve just said thanks and left.
Never forgot it
I was so sorry to hear that we lost Richard Lewis.
I will miss him very much.
But I was even luckier to have him in my life.
My hero has passed away.
Hes the main reason I wanted to be a standup.
I wanted to be half as good as him.
He was so funny.
As a stand up he was really iconic in the 70s.
Cool, funny, self deprecating and hip.
He was a friend to my parents and the whole Stiller family.
As a kid i remember seeing him at the Improv and…https://t.co/0aRA3xLTGR
RIP Richard Lewis.
A brilliantly funny man who will missed by all.
The world needed him now more than ever.
On a sad note, the great Richard Lewis has died.
So long, Richard Lewis.
Truly one of a kind.pic.twitter.com/QtbaOLdxlL
Absolutely devastated by this news.
Richard was my hero when I was a standup.
I was lucky enough to get to know him and he was the most wonderful man.
So supportive and kind and truly one of the funniest people on the planet.
You will be missed, my friend.https://t.co/NX4G9i39xX
pic.twitter.com/vu8KgzQbiu
