Carl Reiner, Comedy Legend, Dies at 98
Carl Reiner, whose seven-decade career influenced generations of comedic talent, has died. He was 98.
Reiner’s passing was first reported by TMZ who said he died at his Beverly Hills home Monday evening surrounded by his family. His death was confirmed by his assistant, Judy Nagy, who said he died of natural causes to Variety.
Reiner’s career includes countless writing, directing, producing and acting credits, but he was best known as the creator of The Dick Van Dyke Show, which ran form 1961-1966 for 158 episodes. Reiner also was a supporting character on The Dick Van Dyke Show playing Alan Brady, the star of The Alan Brady Show where Dick Van Dyke’s character of Rob Petrie served as head writer.
Reiner was also known for his partnership with fellow comedy icon Mel Brooks. The two first met during their time on Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows in the 1950’s and would go on to famously create the sketch The 2000 Year Old Man, which would yield a series of five comedy albums. The final album in that series, 1997’s The 2000 Year Old Man in the Year 2000, would go on to win the Grammy for Spoken Comedy Album.
Other notable credits in Reiner’s career include directing many Steve Martin films, including 1979’s The Jerk, and numerous acting roles including his turn as Saul Bloom in the Ocean’s films.
Reiner married Estelle Lebost in 1943 and were married for 64 years. Lebost died in 2008. Reiner and Lebost had three children: Rob Reiner, Annie Reiner and Lucas Reiner.
Carl Reiner: Through the Years
