Hollywood legend Carl Reiner dies at 98
Carl Reiner, a revered and versatile comedy entertainer who won nine Emmies and stayed active into the 1990s with roles in movies such as the ‘Ocean's Eleven’ franchise, has died at the age of 98.
Showbiz friends of the writer, actor, director and producer confirmed his death, which news reports said came Monday night (local time) of natural causes at his home in Beverly Hills.
For many Americans, the Bronx-born Reiner was perhaps best known for the 1960s TV sitcom ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’, which he created and performed in as an irascible comedian. It won five Emmies.
In his early years Reiner worked with comedy legends such as Syd Caesar and Mel Brooks, a close friend.
In one hugely popular skit with the latter, Reiner played a straight man interviewer to Brooks's ‘2001 Year Old Man’.
In later years his film credits as director include ‘Oh God’ starring George Burns, in 1977; ‘The Jerk’ with Steve Martin in 1979; and ‘All of Me’ with Martin and Lily Tomlin, in 1984.
The father of director and activist Rob Reiner, Reiner Sr. did other movies with Martin, including ‘Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid’ and ‘Man with Two Brains’.
In 1995, Reiner received the Writers Guild’s lifetime achievement award for a career in TV writing.
In 2000, he won the Mark Twain Prize for Humour, presented by the Kennedy Center.
Just three days before his death, Reiner tweeted a message of gratitude for the full life he had.
"Nothing pleases me more than knowing that I have lived the best life possible,” he wrote.
Nothing pleases me more than knowing that I have lived the best life possible by having met & marrying the gifted Estelle (Stella) Lebost---who partnered with me in bringing Rob, Annie & Lucas Reiner into to this needy & evolving world.
— carl reiner (@carlreiner) June 27, 2020
‘A true gift’: Condolences for Reiner pour in
Condolences for Reiner poured in, including a tweet from New York governor Andrew Cuomo.
"Carl Reiner, Bronx born and bred, made TV comedy that endures to this day. He made America laugh - a true gift," Cuomo wrote.
Another US TV comedy legend, Alan Alda, also paid tribute.
"My friend Carl Reiner died last night. His talent will live on for a long time, but the loss of his kindness and decency leaves a hole in our hearts. We love you, Carl," Alda tweeted.
Comedy legend Carl Reiner, whose death at age 98 prompted an outpouring of tributes.
Last night my dad passed away. As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) June 30, 2020
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) June 30, 2020
— Jerry Seinfeld (@JerrySeinfeld) June 30, 2020
My idol, Carl Reiner, wrote about the human comedy. He had a deeper understanding of the human condition, than I think even he was aware of. Kind, gentle, compassionate, empathetic and wise. His scripts were never just funny, they always had something to say about us.
— Dick Van Dyke (@iammrvandy) June 30, 2020
Goodbye to my greatest mentor in movies and in life. Thank you, dear Carl. https://t.co/H7A4ZwIqfc
— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) June 30, 2020
@carlreiner was a gift to us all.
Hilarious,brilliant and always a gentleman. My relationship with him will always be cherished. He was a hero to me and all of us in comedy have lost a giant. All my love to Rob and the family.— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) June 30, 2020
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