Summary
- Daddy Dearest showed Lewis' comedic talent alongside Don Rickles, proving his versatility in TV sitcoms despite a short run.
- Lewis shined in Game Day as the snarky, non-traditional sports coach, adding a unique charm to the unlikely role.
- Vamps highlighted Lewis' emotional depth in a horror-sex comedy, proving his interest in diverse projects beyond traditional comedy.
Best known for his stand-up comedy, Richard Lewis was still a prominent figure in movies and television, which can be seen in his best work. Although comedy rarely receives the critical acclaim it deserves, especially compared to dramatic endeavors, Lewis transcended this and made his mark as an influential part of comedy history in film and TV shows. His dark and sartorial style was revolutionary when he began his career and inspired many comedians who came after him.
His career picked up with sitcoms and movies alike due to his fantastic timing and penchant for taking on unique roles in innovative projects.
His most recent prominent role was as himself, Lewis, in Curb Your Enthusiasm. He and creator Larry David were longtime friends, and this elevated their chemistry onscreen. When he was first starting, Lewis performed stand-up comedy in New York City, eventually getting notices and booking slots on late-night talk shows like The Tonight Show. After that, his career picked up with sitcoms and movies alike due to his fantastic timing and penchant for taking on unique roles in innovative projects.
|
Movie / TV Show |
IMDb Rating |
|
Daddy Dearest (1993) |
7.3 / 10 |
|
Game Day (1999) |
5.3 / 10 |
|
Wagons East (1994) |
4.8 / 10 |
|
Vamps (2012) |
5.3 / 10 |
|
Once Upon A Crime... (1992) |
5.8 / 10 |
|
Drunks (1995) |
6.4 / 10 |
|
Anything But Love (1989 - 1992) |
6.9 / 10 |
|
Leaving Las Vegas (1995) |
7.5 / 10 |
|
Robin Hood: Men In Tights (1993) |
6.7 / 10 |
|
Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000 - 2024) |
8.8 / 10 |
10 Daddy Dearest (1993)
As Steven Mitchell
Though Daddy Dearest was canceled after season 1, it's still a recognizable moment in Lewis' career. He proved that he could pull his weight next to a veteran like his co-star Don Rickles and that he still had more left in him after the conclusion of his high-profile sitcom Anything But Love. Daddy Dearest was similar in tone to Frasier, as it also involved a successful young psychologist living with his difficult father. Unfortunately, Frasier was much more successful, but Lewis was still able to bring his trademark brand of fast-paced wit to a series with such a short run.
9 Game Day (1999)
As Steve Adler
The late '90s sports comedy Game Day put Lewis in one of his most unlikely roles as a washed-up professional coach. While Lewis can blend into roles outside his persona with ease, part of the appeal of having him take on the role of Steve is that his personality is so different from that of the coach of a sports team. He finds himself in a tiny town coaching a second-rate team, and Lewis perfectly encapsulates the snark and dry humor that the situation calls for. His character is the best part and raises the overall quality easily.
Game Day is available for rent on Prime Video.
8 Wagons East (1994)
As Phil Taylor
Lewis stars as Phil, a man who wants to leave the West behind and go back East alongside John Candy in Wagons East. The film is a satirical send-up of the Western genre, carefully picking apart the tropes and archetypes that can be seen throughout those films. Though the film was critically bombed, its importance comes from Lewis' prominent role and the fact that it was Candy's last film. Audiences might come around to consider Wagons East a cult classic in later years, but for now, its highlights come from Lewis and Candy's roles.
Watch Wagons East on Tubi.
7 Vamps (2012)
As Danny
Vamps
*Availability in US
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
- Director
- Amy Heckerling
- Release Date
- August 25, 2012
- Writers
- Amy Heckerling
- Cast
- Krysten Ritter , Sigourney Weaver , Alicia Silverstone , Asim Ahmad , Richard Lewis , Kristen Johnston
- Runtime
- 93 minutes
Vamps is an underrated edition of Lewis' filmography and a solid comedy that went under the radar. Lewis plays Danny, the ex-boyfriend of the vampire Goody (Alicia Silverstone), who left him so he could have a normal human life. It's not a prominent role, but it is memorable as one that involves the movie’s most emotional scene. Additionally, it speaks to Lewis’ interest in up-and-coming films that he was interested in a horror-sex comedy. It received mixed reviews but is a fun ride that shouldn't be taken too seriously.
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6 Once Upon A Crime... (1992)
As Julian Peters
Many comedic heavyweights teamed up for Once Upon A Crime..., and put a fun comedic twist on the classic mystery movie. While the mystery is a genre rife with camp in and of itself, Once Upon A Crime has all the makings of a film bordering on so bad it's good. However, many critics failed to realize it wasn't trying to revolutionize the genre but to create a movie that made the audience laugh. Lewis's role is notable for his plotline with a beloved dog that isn't the most original but will have the viewer laughing along with the film.
Watch Once Upon A Crime... on Prime Video.
5 Drunks (1995)
As Jim
Drunks is one of the few dramatic roles Lewis ever took on, and involved the delicate subject of alcohol abuse. Parker Posey's best movies are also primarily comedies, and she stars in the film along with a young Sam Rockwell. In Drunks, Lewis' Jim attends an AA meeting and tells the story of his sobriety, then spends the rest of the night trying not to relapse. It's a dark movie that illustrates a range Lewis rarely got to show off. Overall, the performances received the highest praise and made it obvious that Lewis should have been in more dramatic projects.