The bestRichard Lewismovies and TV shows reveal just why the stand-up comedian and writer had such an easy and successful transition to both the big and small screens. Born in New York in 1947, Richard Lewis found his footing performing at open mic nights in New York’s Greenwich Village in the early 1970s. After moving to L.A. at the advice of fellow comedian David Brenner, Lewis started getting regular slots onThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Thanks to his incredibly self-deprecating and, often, dark comedic style, Richard Lewis managed to gain the attention of many network executives. This led to his big break in 1979 with the leading role in the NBC direct-to-TV movieDiary of a Young Comic,which he also co-wrote. From there he quickly became a household name, especially after appearing alongside lifelong friendLarry David inCurb Your Enthusiasm.While he tragically passed away in 2024, the best Richard Lewis movies and TV shows leave an enduring legacy for one of the most unique comedic talents of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Diary of a Young Comic
Cast
Diary of a Young Comic is a film set in the 1970s L.A. comedy scene, featuring Richard Lewis as a fictionalized young New York comic. The narrative follows his journey to Los Angeles in pursuit of fame and fortune within the comedic landscape of the era.
One of the comedian’s earliest performances still stands as one of the best Richard Lewis movies, and this is 1971’sDiary of a Young Comic.Richard Lewis plays Billy Goldstein in the satirical comedy, a character loosely based on himself. The movie follows Goldstein as he attempts to make it as a stand-up comedian in New York - though, when he changes his last name to Gondola, he earns the ire of his family.
Directed by Gary Weis, the NBC made-for-TV film is every bit as sharp and witty as many of the Richard Lewis’ movies from his later career,Diary of a Young Comicshould be considered essential viewing for his fans. It was clear from this early appearance that Lewis had a bright future ahead of him.What’s more, he co-wrote the story and script forDiary of a Young Comic(partnering with Bennett Tramer), meaning every character and scene contains a part of Lewis’ unique comedic mind in some way.
Wagons East
Wagons East is a comedy released in 1994, starring John Candy and Richard Lewis. The film follows a group of misfit settlers who, disillusioned with their pioneer lifestyle, decide to head back East. Enlisted to lead the journey is the drunk and bumbling wagon master, played by Candy. The film blends humor with the trials of the Old West in a lighthearted portrayal of American frontier life.
Starring alongside theequally legendary John Candy,Wagons Eastsees Richard Lewis take on the Western genre in a satire that sees two former pioneers get fed up with Manifest Destiny. Directed by Peter Markle,Wagons Eastfollows Richard Lewis’ Phil Taylor and John Candy’s James Harlow as they give up their dreams of settling the Wild West and decide to head back to the East Coast.
Richard Lewis and John Candy have some incredible chemistry, and the two make great co-leads. The movie was panned by critics upon its release, though has been looked upon more fondly in retrospect (especially since it was Candy’s final movie before his death).While the plot and slapstick comedy moments satire may not be groundbreaking in and of itself, Richard Lewis’ performance as Phil Taylor secures it as one of the best movies of his career.
Game Day
Game Day follows Steven Adler, a former high-profile college basketball coach plagued by past failures, now leading a mediocre program in a modest town. As he guides his underdog team to the finals, the film examines his struggle with personal demons and questions his ability to reclaim his life’s direction.
1999’sGame Dayis incredibly under the radar as far as the best Richard Lewis movies go, but deserves recognition thanks to how much of the comedian’s range he managed to show compared to his other roles. The sports comedy, directed by Steve Klein, stars Lewis as Steve Adler, a formerly successful college basketball coach who, after a career slump, finds himself managing a team of misfits and low-energy athletes in a backwater town.
Game Daysees Richard Lewis adopting a dry, sarcastic, and snarky persona that works incredibly well. While not the most widely known or critically celebrated Richard Lewis out there, it’s definitely an important performance in his wider filmography, as it sees him take a step out of his comedic comfort zone.This results in Steve Adler being a hilarious character, and one that props up the rest of the otherwiseby-the-numbers sports comedy(though one that still manages to net an 82% audience score onRotten Tomatoes).
Once Upon a Crime
Once Upon a Crime is a comedic film featuring an ensemble cast, centered around a group of travelers, including Marilyn and Neil, who become prime suspects in a murder investigation in Monte Carlo. As Inspector Bonnard pursues the case, the travelers are entangled in chaos, driven by a missing dog and a substantial reward.
1992’sOnce Upon a Crimefinds Richard Lewis sharing a screen with some of the most well-known comic actors of the early 1990s. The cast includes the likes of John Candy and James Belushi, as well as sci-fi legend Sean Young and celebrated dramatic actress Cybill Shepherd. Like many of the best Richard Lewis movies,Once Upon a Crimewas misunderstood by critics upon its release, though audiences loved director Eugene Levy’s crime mystery.
Richard Lewis stars inOnce Upon a Crimeas Julian Peters, a man who has traveled to Monte Carlo to return a dachshund to a wealthy heiress. However, he (along with many of the other characters), find themselves caught up in a Poirot-style murder investigation.As is often the case when Lewis finds himself part of an ensemble cast, the comedian more than holds his own, and he also once again displays great chemistry with the likes of John Candy as seen in 1994’sWagons East.
Vamps
Vamps is a film directed by Amy Heckerling, featuring Alicia Silverstone and Krysten Ritter as two modern-day vampires navigating nightlife in New York. Their carefree existence is threatened by romantic encounters, forcing them to confront choices that could compromise their immortality.
One of the best Richard Lewis movies from his later career is undoubtedlyVamps,the 2012 comedy horror from director Amy Heckerling. Lewis plays Danny Horowitz, the ex-boyfriend of the immortal vampire Goody Rutherford (Alicia Silverstone). However, when the pair run into one another in the present day, he’s still unaware that she’s a vampire, and believes her to be the daughter of his former flame.
While not a central member of the cast as he was inOnce Upon a Crime,for example, Richard Lewis delivers one of the strongest and most surprising performances of his career inVamps.He shares some genuinely emotionalscreentime with Alicia Silverstone, and few of the best Richard Lewis movies showcase this side of his range as an actor. What’s more,by the end of the film, many viewers will leave thinking that Danny reconnecting with Goody should have been the central story, rather than a side-narrative.
Drunks
Drunks, directed by Peter Cohn, explores the experiences of attendees at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. As Jim, a participant, shares his struggles and then disappears into the night, the group members recount their own stories of addiction and recovery, revealing their battles and personal journeys.
Much like 2012’sVamps,1995’sDrunkssecures a spot among the best Richard Lewis movies not because of how it showcases his skills as a comedian, but because it’s an example of how adept he was in more serious, dramatic roles too. Directed by Peter Cohn,Drunksfocuses on several members of an Alcoholics Anonymous group. Richard Lewis takes the central role of Jim, a recovering alcoholic whose struggles to maintain his sobriety have come to dominate his life.
Drunksis a standout role among Richard Lewis’ best movies, and reveals that he could have had considerably more career success in dramatic roles had he taken on fewer comedy movies. The film was well received by critics, with many citing the performance of Richard Lewis as Jim as a key strength.Lewis brings a surprising level of authenticity to Lewis’ story as viewers follow him resisting the urge to relapse, and it’s a genuine surprise that the comedian didn’t take on more similar roles.
Anything But Love
Anything But Love is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from 1989 to 1992. The series stars Richard Lewis and Jamie Lee Curtis as coworkers with a romantic attraction in a Chicago magazine office. Created by Wendy Kout, it explores their attempt to maintain a professional relationship.
When it comes to the best Richard Lewis TV shows, the ABC sitcomAnything but Loveis inarguably among the strongest - and it’s perhaps his most prominent role on the small screen. Running from 1989 to 1992,Anything but Lovesaw Richard Lewis co-leading the castalongside Jamie Lee Curtis. The pair played Marty Gold and Hannah Miller, two co-workers at a Chicago magazine publisher doing everything they could to resist a mutual romantic attraction.
The classic will-they-won’t-they sitcom storyline was played to perfection by Richard Lewis and Jamie Lee Curtis, with their chemistry managing to keepAnything but Loveon the air for 56 episodes across 4 seasons.Not only wasAnything but Lovean important career stepping-stone for Richard Lewis, but Marty Gold remains one of the most hilarious characters he played.
Leaving Las Vegas
Leaving Las Vegas is a drama directed by Mike Figgis, featuring Nicolas Cage as Ben Sanderson, an alcoholic screenwriter who decides to drink himself to death in Las Vegas. Elisabeth Shue stars as Sera, a prostitute who forms a complex relationship with Ben. The film explores themes of addiction, despair, and human connection.
Directed by Miki Figgis,Leaving Las Vegasis the most critically acclaimed of all the best Richard Lewis movies. What’s more, likeDrunks,it showcases a more serious side of Lewis’ abilities as an actor, as it’s a down-to-earth drama rather than a bombastic comedy (one that, also likeDrunks,explores the struggles of alcoholism). Among the awards earned byLeaving Las Vegaswere the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Actor for Nicolas Cage - though the lack of accolades for Lewis doesn’t preclude it from being one of his best movies.
Richard Lewis doesn’t lead the cast ofLeaving Las Vegas,but his performance as Peter is both incredible and career-defining in many ways.He has incredible chemistry withleading man Nicolas Cage, and the pair share many poignant and emotional scenes as Peter attempts to help Cage’s character, Ben Sanderson, find his way out of his self-destructive alcohol dependency.
Robin Hood: Men in Tights
Robin Hood: Men in Tights is a comedic reimagining of the classic Robin Hood legend, directed by Mel Brooks. Cary Elwes stars as Robin Hood, leading a group of merry men in a fight against the tyrannical Prince John and the Sheriff of Rottingham. This parody film combines humor and satire, featuring memorable performances and musical numbers that poke fun at the genre and various pop culture elements.
When it comes to the comedian’s appearances on the big screen, none are more deserving of being thought of as the best Richard Lewis movie as 1997’sRobin Hood: Men In Tights.Not only was the hilarious adventure comedy written and directed by the legendary Mel Brooks, butRobin Hood: Men In Tightsalso had Richard Lewis as one fo the most central roles - that of Prince John, the villain in more-or-less every interpretation of Robin Hood.
Richard Lewis was incredible in the role, bringing a unique and zany spin to the character of Prince John that perfectly suited thedistinctly Mel Brooks toneofRobin Hood: Men In Tights.Like many of the best Richard Lewis movies, the response from critics was markedly mixed when the film released in 1997s, but audiences fell in love with it.The cult classic remains Richard Lewis’ most celebrated appearance on the big screen, and inarguably one of the comedian’s funniest performances.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Curb Your Enthusiasm is a Comedy television show created by Larry David, the same creative mind behind the wildly popular sitcom, Seinfeld. Starring Larry David himself, along with Cheryl Hines, and Jeff Garlin, the show acts as a semi-fictionalized look at Larry’s every day life and the people he would come in contact with.
Curb Your Enthusiasmis the groundbreaking sitcom created by Larry David, loosely based on his own life. However, as strong as David’s performance and writing is, it’s the many supporting characters that makeCurb Your Enthusiasmso renowned - and few have been as integral to its success as Richard Lewis as the semi-fictionalized version of himself. Appearing in 45 episodes of the sitcom overall, Richard Lewis became a fan-favorite presence onCurb Your Enthusiasm,and it’s hard to argue against it being the best TV show of his career.
Richard Lewis and Larry David were best friends in real life, but on the show, the pair are constantly at odds.Whether it’s season 1’s “The Bracelet”, season 3’s “The Benadryl Brownie”, or season 5’s “Lewis Needs A Kidney”, many fans consider the Richard Lewis episodes ofCurb Your Enthusiasmamong the best in the series, and few other projects so rightly deserve the title of the best Richard Lewis TV show.
