Bob Einstein, best known for his role as Marty Funkhouser in Curb Your Enthusiasm, has died at the age of 76.
The Emmy-winning actor featured in the Larry David sitcom from its fourth season, returning for the comeback series in 2017. He also appeared in Arrested Development, Anger Management, and Ocean’s Thirteen.
Einstein is said to have passed away in Indian Wells, California after recently being diagnosed with cancer.
His brother and comedian Albert Brooks tweeted: “R.I.P. My dear brother Bob Einstein. A great brother, father and husband. A brilliantly funny man. You will be missed forever.”
R.I.P. My dear brother Bob Einstein. A great brother, father and husband. A brilliantly funny man. You will be missed forever.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) January 2, 2019
Einstein’s Curb Your Enthusiasm co-star Richard Lewis also expressed his shock, describing the actor’s role in the series as “excruciatingly brilliant”. “Our cast and crew will be devastated,” he added. “He was so loved. He told me how much he loved LD and Curb. RIP buddy.”
I’m in shock.
I knew him forever. ♥️to his loved ones. His long career is hard to match. His role on #curbyourenthusiasm was excruciatingly brilliant! Our cast and crew will be devastated.
He was so loved. He told me how much he loved LD and Curb. RIP buddy. @HBO pic.twitter.com/G8f5PoffuF— Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) January 2, 2019
Radiohead‘s Jonny Greenwood later paid tribute – revealing that he checked into hotels under the name Marty Funkhouser on recent tours.
The guitarist posted: “So sad to hear this. He was amazing in Curb: I was Marty Funkhouser on the last two Radiohead tours in tribute to his beautifully pitched performance. So subtle. And to think it was all improvised.”
— Jonny Greenwood (@JnnyG) January 2, 2019
Einstein’s career was launched on Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, where he was part of the writing team and won his first Emmy. Steve Martin also worked on the show.
His second Emmy win came from his role of producer on the 1977 Dick Van Dyke show, Van Dyke and Company.
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