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MARCH 3, 2002
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269 E. FOURTH STREET ROYAL OAK, MI
Comedian Richard Lewis taps into
his heritage in latest TV role.
GERRI MILLER
Special to the Jewish News
F
on HBO's critically acclaimed
comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm,
named AFI Comedy Series of the Year
by the American Film Institute in
January. The show returns for a third
season later this year.
"Playing secondary to Larry David,
who's one of my oldest and best friends
and a true genius, is a pleasure," says
the 54-year-old unmarried comic, who
spends about 20 days a month on
stage, continuing a stand-up
career that began in 1971.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y.,
and raised in Englewood,
NJ., Lewis wrote advertising
copy after his 1969 gradua-
tion from Ohio State
University, and supplied jokes
to other comedians before try-
ing his own luck on stage.
He cites his appearance on
or five episodes starting
Feb. 25, Richard Lewis,
known for his angst-ridden,
self-deprecating comedy
routines that rely heavily on being
Jewish, joins the cast of 7th Heaven,
playing a rabbi.
In the popular series, airing
Mondays on the WB, Rabbi
Glass' daughter, Sarah
(Sarah Danielle Madison),
becomes engaged to Matt
Camden (Barry Watson),
son of the show's lead char-
acter, a minister played by
Stephen Collins.
"He's hip, funny, a little
nuts. It's going to be fun
playing this rabbi," says
Late Night with David
Richard L ewis
Lewis. "The scripts are very
intelligent. The cast is sensa- plays Rab bi Glass Letterman in 1982 as his big
on "7th Heaven. " break. "I was on like 70 times
tional. It's won so many
or so," says Lewis, who has
awards for all the right rea-
The Tonight Show just as
appeared
on
sons. It really talks about stuff that
frequently.
"I
have an open door every-
matters without being exploitative."
where and I'm proud of that."
Lewis also is pleased about working
The comedian is a recovering alco-
with old friend Laraine Newman —
holic of eight years standing. He
the Jewish comedienne was in the
writes about his demons in. The Other
original cast of Saturday Night Live —
Great Depression, his 2000 book of
who plays his wife, Rosina Glass. "I've
confessional
essays, subtitled "How I
known her for 25 years. So it's going
am
Overcoming
on a Daily Basis at
to be like a family affair," he says.
Least
a
Million
Addictions
and
Lewis reveals that Rabbi Glass, a
Dysfunctions and Finding a Spiritual
Reform Jew, will initially have reserva-
(Sometimes) Life." It has just been
tions about his daughter's interfaith
released in paperback.
relationship, "and it will take a little
Lewis spent four years on the ABC
time to feel comfortable" with it.
In the meantime, the Camden family comedy series Anything But Love with
Jamie Lee Curtis, and has fond memo-
will learn about Shabbat, circumcision,
ries of the show and his co-star. "She's
how you can't convert just to get mar-
a real soul mate of mine," he says, not-
ried and Jewish baby-naming practices.
Speaking Hebrew on the show does- ing that they're in touch "all the time."
He'd again entertain the idea of his
n't faze Lewis, and he launches into
own TV series or a film vehicle "any
the first of the Four Questions as
day of the week, if it was a worthwhile
proof. "I still know my Haftorah," he
role. But right now I'm grateful to be
adds, noting that his bar mitzvah took
touring and working with Larry and
place on a Tuesday because his caterer
on 7th Heaven," Lewis remarks.
father was booked on weekends.
"Ninety percent of the people in this
While he considers himself "more
business are looking for work. I've
spiritual than religious," Lewis consid-
been doing this for 32 years, so I feel
ers the stories of his faith "beautiful"
really fortunate." El
and says that he has "felt more in
touch with my Judaism since Sept. 11.
I go to temple on occasion, and I've
7th Heaven airs 8 p.m. Mondays
on the WB.
been going more often."
Lewis also will continue to appear as
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