Departures

Brian Mulroney

A conservative Canadian prime minister who came to power as free market conservatives dominated the Anglo­sphere, Mulroney died Feb. 29 at age 84. After a failed attempt at taking over leadership of the Progressive Conservative party in 1976, Mulroney successfully unseated the incumbent in an 1983 election and took a place in Canada’s Parliament as the Tory leader. In 1984, the party’s landslide win at the polls vaulted Mulroney to the position of prime minister. His close ties to U.S. President Ronald Reagan helped Mulroney forge a bilateral free trade deal with the United States in 1987. Mulroney also became one of the strongest voices in the English-speaking world opposing South Africa’s apartheid regime—earning Nelson Mandela’s thanks in 1990.

Richard Lewis

A self-deprecating comedian and actor whose dark and neurotic stand-up set made him a star in the comedy world, Lewis died Feb. 27. He was 76. Lewis honed his act at open mic nights in New York City in the 1970s before breaking into the late-night TV circuit. His early comedy specials included I’m in Pain (1985) and I’m Doomed (1990). He’d ultimately go on to appear on Late Night With David Letterman nearly 50 times. After his stand-up career tailed off, Lewis forged a second act playing a stylized version of himself on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, improvising petty grievances with fellow comedian and friend Larry David.