Carl Reiner, prolific comedy legend who created ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show,’ dead at 98

Carl Reiner, prolific comedy writer and legend who was most well-known for creating ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show,’ died on June 29, 2020 at the age of 98 in Beverly Hills.

His longtime writing partner Mel Brooks said he treasured Carl Reiner as a colleague and friend.

“Whether he wrote or performed or he was just your best friend — nobody could do it better,” Brooks said. “He’ll be greatly missed. A tired cliche in times like this, but in Carl Reiner’s case it’s absolutely true. He will be greatly missed."

The Bronx-born Reiner worked in a machine shop after high school as he took free acting classes sponsored by the Works Progress Administration. He made $1 a week for his first paid acting gig but had to promise not to brag about his good fortune to the other cast members at a Manhattan theater.

He first came to national attention in the 1950s on Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows,” where he wrote alongside Mel Brooks, Neil Simon and other comedy legends. He remained lifelong friends with Brooks; in their later years, the two often shared dinner and a movie at Reiner’s home.

Additional information can be read from article written by Steve Chawkins and Dennis McLellan of The Los Angeles Times by clicking HERE.

"I've done a lot in my life but have to say that show is what I'm most proud of," said Reiner. "We couldn't afford to shoot it originally in color and make a profit, but I'm so pleased with the colorized episodes – they look fantastic."

Reiner's 2017 HBO documentary, "If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast," was also recently released on DVD in which he narrates a series of interviews with active nonagenarians.

"In my opening section, I'm reading the newspaper obituary section and remark if I'm not in it, I'll have breakfast," he said. "They thought that would make a good title."

The documentary features 90+ year-old guests still active in areas such as sports, fashion, music, comedy and acting, such as Dick Van Dyke, Kirk Douglas, and Reiner's long-time cohort in comedy Mel Brooks. "Truly a collection of remarkable people," said Reiner.

 "Truly a collection of remarkable people," said Reiner.

His son, famous director and actor, Rob Reiner tweeted, "Last night my dad passed away. As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light."