Jamie Lee Curtis Celebrates Sobriety Milestone with Tribute to Late Co-Star Richard Lewis
Hollywood actress Jamie Lee Curtis has marked a significant personal achievement while paying heartfelt tribute to her late friend and colleague Richard Lewis, whose support she credits with helping her overcome addiction.
Emotional Instagram Post Marks 27 Years of Sobriety
The 67-year-old Freaky Friday star took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a lengthy, sentimental message alongside a throwback photograph of herself with Lewis. In her post, Curtis revealed she was celebrating an impressive 27 years of sobriety while remembering the comedian who played a crucial role in her recovery journey.
Curtis wrote about how Lewis, whom she described as "an old colleague and friend," once "reached out and took my hand" during a difficult period. She reflected on how this simple act of connection proved transformative, stating: "The miracle of sobriety is that it just takes one other person to relate to how you're feeling and THAT can change everything."
How Richard Lewis Guided Her Recovery Journey
The actress explained that Lewis introduced her to recovery networks that became fundamental to her sobriety. "Richard introduced me to many others and for these 27 years I have met so many people who share our common link of addiction and recovery from that daily prison," she shared in her emotional post.
Curtis has previously spoken about her struggle with pain medication addiction, which began following eye surgery in 1989. She managed to achieve sobriety in 1999, with Lewis's guidance proving instrumental during those challenging early years of recovery.
Lasting Friendship from On-Screen Partnership
The pair first worked together as an on-screen couple in the hit sitcom Anything but Love, which ran for four seasons from 1989 to 1992. Their professional collaboration blossomed into a decades-spanning friendship that endured long after the show concluded.
In her tribute, Curtis expressed how she continues to "miss my friend" while acknowledging the enduring impact of his support. "I'm honored to be open with strangers, many who know me better than people I have spent my entire life with," she wrote, adding that she tries to "honor all of their courage and strength" by following Lewis's example of reaching out to others in need.
Previous Tributes Following Lewis's Passing
When Lewis passed away in February 2024 at age 76 after suffering a heart attack at his Los Angeles home, Curtis penned an emotional tribute describing him as "the reason I am sober." She recalled their time auditioning for Anything but Love and the years of filming together, noting that because Lewis "helped" her, she remains "forever grateful for him for that act of grace alone."
In that earlier tribute, she wrote: "Strange way of saying thank you to a sweet and funny man. Rest in laughter, Richard. My Marty, I love you, Hannah!" referencing their characters from the sitcom.
The Ongoing Impact of Lewis's Support
Curtis concluded her recent Instagram message by reflecting on the lasting legacy of her friend's kindness. "I miss my friend but his gift to me IS the gift that keeps on giving," she wrote, emphasizing how Lewis's support continues to influence her life nearly three decades later.
The actress, who was recently spotted stepping out while grieving another close friend, actress Catherine O'Hara, has become increasingly open about her recovery journey in recent years. Through her tribute to Lewis, she highlights the profound importance of connection and support in overcoming addiction, while honoring a friendship that began on a television set and grew into a bond that helped save her life.
