CARL REINER: Dead at 98Breaking News
Carl Reiner, prolific comedian, actor, director and producer, died last night (Monday). He was 98 years old. He is best remembered for his work creatingThe Dick Van Dyke Show, and younger audiences may recognize him as the senior thief Saul Bloom in theOcean’s Eleventrilogy.
- Born March 20th, 1922 in the Bronx
- Created and wrote forThe Dick Van Dyke Show
- Co-starred onYour Show of Shows
- Father ofRob Reiner
- Partnered withMel Brooksin a long-running comedy routine, "The 2000 Year Old Man."
Reiner was born on March 20th, 1922 in Bronx, New York toBessieandIrving Reiner. His first experience in show business was in an eight-month drama course he took during high school, after which he landed a part as a second tenor in a remade “The Merry Widow.” Reiner served in World War 2, spending some of that time as a comedian and actor inMaurice Evans’ Special Services Entertainment Unit.
After his honorable discharge in 1946, Reiner performed in several Broadway shows, likeCall Me MisterandInside U.S.A.Three years of Broadway prepared him for what would be one of his biggest television roles as co-star onYour Show of Shows. Reiner earned two Emmys for best supporting comedy actor, in 1957 and 1958, while working withSid Caesaron his related shows. In 1957, Reiner also wrote a semi-autobiographical novel,Enter Laughing, which was adapted to a successful Broadway play in 1963. This play, in turn, was adapted as his first directed film in 1967.
After Caesar’s shows, Reiner began writingThe Head of the Family, which was renamed toThe Dick Van Dyke Showby CBS.TV Guidehas named the show number-13 on a list of the 50 greatest TV shows of all time, and the show has won 15 Emmy Awards.
Reiner continued writing, producing, and acting in comedy films for much of his career. FromDead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982) toOcean’s Thirteen (2007).
Reiner leaves behind his sonsRobandLucas Reinerand his daughterSylvia Anne Reiner, all accomplished actors, comedians and artists in their own rights.