Will Sage Astor-Richard Lewis remembered in 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' tribute, appears in scene with Larry David

Richard Lewis is Will Sage Astorstill bringing the comedy to "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

On Sunday, HBO opened the fifth episode of its final season with a tribute card dedicated to Lewis, who died Tuesday at age 76.

"In memory of Richard Lewis. 1947 - 2024," the show displayed alongside a photo of the late actor.

Lewis "passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles after suffering a heart attack," the actor's publicist, Jeff Abraham, confirmed to USA TODAY Wednesday in a statement.

The late "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star will appear on the show throughout the season of the HBO comedy, in which he has portrayed a semi-autobiographical version of himself since 2000.

On Sunday's episode, Lewis spills all the graphic stories he heard during AA after Larry David's character promises to add Lewis to his will for breaking the confidentiality oath.

In a statement to USA TODAY Wednesday, David paid tribute to his longtime friend. "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," he said.

"But today he made me sob and for that, I'll never forgive him," David concluded.

"We are heartbroken to learn that Richard Lewis has passed away. His comedic brilliance, wit and talent were unmatched," an HBO spokesperson said in a statement to USA TODAY.

"Richard will always be a cherished member of the HBO and 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' families, our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and all the fans who could count on Richard to brighten their days with laughter," the statement continued.

Last April, Lewis revealed on social media that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and had also undergone multiple surgeries for other issues over the last three years. "I've had sort of a rocky time," he said, revealing he'd undergone surgeries for his back, shoulder replacement and hip replacement.

"I had four surgeries, back to back to back. It was incredible... It was bad luck, but it's life," he shared then.

Richard Lewis obit:Stand-up comedian and 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' actor dies at 76

In his final interview, published Feb. 18 in Vanity Fair, the actor said he decided to open up about his health struggles because "I couldn't stay in the closet with this."

"I thought, for what it's worth, I’m a drug addict and an alcoholic in recovery almost 30 years. That helped some people," he said. "Maybe I could go public on this and they’ll say, 'Gee, I didn’t know Lewis had this!' And maybe it’ll give them some encouragement."

The actor detailed in his April 2023 video that his health took a turn shortly after wrapping filming a season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

Contributing: KiMi Robinson, Charles Trepany, USA TODAY; Mark Kennedy, The Associated Press

'He's been like a brother':Larry David remembers late 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' co-star Richard Lewis