Richard Lewis says he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease: ‘Everything is cool’

Richard Lewis said he has been battling Parkinson’s disease the past two years.

The comedian, 75, took to social media Sunday with the update on his health and career as he sat in his home.

The Brooklyn, New York native said that he was happy too have finished filming Curb Your Enthusiasm’s 12th season recently, and is ‘grateful to be part of that show.’

The Robin Hood: Men in Tights actor said that ‘the last three and a half years, [he’s] had sort of a rocky time.’

The Anything But Love star said that people have been asking him about when he will hit the road again to tour amid an extended absence.

‘Well, here’s really what happened,’ he said, adding that he decided to stop touring three-and-a-half years back, feeling like the time had come.

‘I said, “You know, I’m at the top of my game – after 50 years almost, I’m just going to call it quits,”‘ he said. ‘And I felt great about that. And then out of the blue, the s*** hit the fan.’

Lewis said he underwent four consecutive surgeries on his back, shoulder and hip, adding that ‘it was bad luck, but that’s life.’

Lewis said that ‘on top of all of that,’ he began ‘walking a little stiffly’ and ‘shuffling’ his feet two years ago, leading him to visit a neurologist.

He said he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease following a brain scan.

‘Luckily I got it late in life, and they say you progress very slowly if at all and I’m on the right meds and it’s cool,’ Lewis said. ‘I just wanted you to know that that’s where it’s been at.

‘I’m finished with standup, I’m just focusing on writing and acting. I have Parkinson’s disease but I’m under a doctor’s care and everything is cool and I love my wife, I love my little puppy dog and I love all of my friends and my fans.’

According to the Mayo Clinic, Parkinson’s disease ‘is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves. Symptoms start slowly. 

‘Tremors are common, but the disorder may also cause stiffness or slowing of movement.’