Before his death, Richard Lewis took legal actions in a final act of life for his wife, to ensure that she could remain in their home.
As previously reported, Lewis' passing at the age of 76 was confirmed by his publicist, Jeff Abraham, who revealed that the comedian died of a heart attack in Los Angeles after battling Parkinson's disease, a condition he disclosed in April 2023.
In a statement, Abraham expressed the gratitude of Lewis' wife, Joyce Lapinsky, for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time, requesting privacy for the grieving family.
It appears as if Lewis had one final act of love for his wife before his passing so that she could keep their Los Angeles home despite facing financial uncertainty.
According to documents obtained by the New York Post, Lewis opted to switch his standard mortgage to an assignment of rents trust deed.
While a traditional mortgage relies on the property itself as collateral, this trust deed focuses on the rental income generated by it.
In the event of default, the lender gains the authority to collect rental payments directly from tenants, thus easing any outstanding debt burden.
Lewis, along with Lapinsky, 72, purchased their three-bedroom, three-bathroom Los Angeles residence in 2016 for $1.53 million. Records show they secured a $2.02 million loan for renovations.
However, as of August 2023, financial documents indicated a remaining mortgage balance of $1 million.
Previously scheduled for repayment by 2046, Lewis’s strategic move has extended the timeline to 2053, providing Lapinsky with more manageable monthly payments following her husband's passing.
Following his passing, tributes poured in for the great comedy actor, led by his friend and Curb Your Enthusiasm star Larry David.
Speaking to People, he said: "Richard and I were born three days apart in the same hospital, and for most of my life, he’s been like a brother to me.
"He had that rare combination of being the funniest person and also the sweetest. But today he made me sob, and for that, I’ll never forgive him."
The news of Lewis's passing prompted tributes from across the entertainment industry. Jamie Lee Curtis, his co-star on the ABC sitcom Anything But Love, remembered their time together and praised his talent and kindness. She also credited Lewis with helping her achieve sobriety.
Beyond his role in Curb Your Enthusiasm, Lewis left a lasting impact on television with appearances on shows like 7th Heaven, George Lopez, and Rude Awakening.