Richard Lewis Is Happier Sober

WASHINGTON (AP) â€” Comedian Richard Lewis jokes in his act about how miserable he is. <br><br>But for 20 years, he wasn't joking. Lewis told AP Radio this week that he nearly drank himself to death.

Friday, January 19th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) â€” Comedian Richard Lewis jokes in his act about how miserable he is.

But for 20 years, he wasn't joking. Lewis told AP Radio this week that he nearly drank himself to death.

``I'm a miracle; I should be dead,'' he said.

Lewis, who said he's been sober for more than six years, said life without alcohol is better all the way around. ``As good as I could be as a human being, I'm better now that I'm in recovery, but as a performer, I've done my best performing live and my best acting ever since this happened.''

The 53-year-old comedian has written a book about his experiences, ``The Other Great Depression.''