Entertainment

Carl Reiner's grieving son Rob mourns death of Dick Van Dyke Show creator and comedy legend at 98


The Dick Van Dyke Show creator and comedy legend Carl Reiner has died at 98. 

The legendary Hollywood entertainer died of natural causes on Monday night at his home in Beverly Hills, surrounded by his family.   

The comedian, actor, director, screenwriter and publisher had an impressive career in the entertainment business that spanned seven decades. 

Reiner was arguably best known for creating the iconic American sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, that aired from 1961 to 1966 and produced a total of 158 episodes spanning five seasons. 

He had remained very active in his later life and career, most recently voicing the character Carl Reineroceros in last year’s Toy Story 4.

RIP: The Dick Van Dyke Show creator at star Carl Reiner - pictured above in February 2015 - has died at 98

RIP: The Dick Van Dyke Show creator at star Carl Reiner – pictured above in February 2015 – has died at 98

A staunch critic of Donald Trump, in 2018, Reiner said he wanted to live to see the President voted out of office, saying it was his ‘personal goal’ to ‘stick around until 2020’ while urging citizens to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. 

His filmmaker son and political activist Rob Reiner tweeted on Tuesday: ‘Last night my dad passed away. As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light.’

On Saturday, Carl took to social media to reflect about his life and wife Estelle who passed away in 2008 as he talked about Rob and his siblings in one of his last tweets.

Proud: His filmmaker son and political activist Rob Reiner tweeted on Tuesday: 'Last night my dad passed away. As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light'

Proud: His filmmaker son and political activist Rob Reiner tweeted on Tuesday: ‘Last night my dad passed away. As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light’

Inseparable: Carl and son Rob pictured together in Hollywood back in April 2017

Inseparable: Carl and son Rob pictured together in Hollywood back in April 2017

'Nothing pleases me more': On Saturday, Carl took to social media to reflect about his life and wife Estelle who passed away in 2008 as he talked about Rob and his siblings in one of his last tweets

‘Nothing pleases me more’: On Saturday, Carl took to social media to reflect about his life and wife Estelle who passed away in 2008 as he talked about Rob and his siblings in one of his last tweets

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.’

Several other celebrities followed in Rob’s footsteps in taking to social media to react including Stephen Colbert, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Amber Tamblyn, Steve Martin, John Cusack, Stephen King and Bette Midler. 

The 56-year-old host of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert kept it simple as he shared an old black and white headshot of Reiner with the caption: ‘The Greatest.’ 

English comedian and actor Bhaskar, 56, shared a sweet photo of Carl with Mel Brooks and daughter Annie as they all sported Black Lives Matter shirts.

He captioned it: ‘Taken just two days ago, #CarlReiner #AnnieReiner (Daughter) and #MelBrooks on his 94th birthday.’

In memory: Reiner (pictured in 1962) was arguably best known for creating the classic American sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, that aired from 1961 to 1966

In memory: Reiner (pictured in 1962) was arguably best known for creating the classic American sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, that aired from 1961 to 1966

A role to remember: Carl Reiner (as Alan Brady) on the iconic sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show

A role to remember: Carl Reiner (as Alan Brady) on the iconic sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show

The Dick Van Dyke Show – that created a star in Mary Tyler Moore who was cast as Van Dyke’s TV wife – featured Reiner himself as the capricious variety show host Alan Brady.

In 1950, Reiner got his start in acting, performing on several Broadway musicals including Inside U.S.A and Alive and Kicking. 

However, he got his first TV break the same year in Sid Caesar’s variety show Your Show of Shows, where he appeared on air in skits while also got the opportunity of writing with Mel Brooks and Neil Simon. 

For his efforts, Reiner was awarded two Emmys in 1956 and 1957 in the supporting category. 

His working relationship with Mel Brooks would become fruitful, as they teamed up as a comedy duo, appearing in films such as It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, World (1963) and The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966), as well as the Ocean’s film series from 2001 to 2007. 

Family: Carl pictured with his famous film director son Rob Reiner (left) in 2017 in Hollywood

Family: Carl pictured with his famous film director son Rob Reiner (left) in 2017 in Hollywood

Reiner and Brooks have a long-running friendship that started with their famous ‘2000 Year Old Man’ sketches, where Brooks plays a 2000-year-old man, interviewed by Reiner.

The entertainer – who was born in The Bronx, New York City in 1922 to his Jewish immigrant parents – then went on to have great success as a film director in the 1970s and 1980s. He collaborated with Steve Martin on his movies including The Jerk (1979).

The last movie he directed himself was the 1997 rom-com That Old Feeling, starring Bette Midler and Dennis Farina. 

During the 1990s he enjoyed a guest role on Frasier, won another Emmy for a guest role playing Alan Brady on Mad About You in 1995, and also had roles on Ally McBeal, Boston Legal, and House. 

Impressively, Reiner even remained in hot demand well into his 80s and his 90s, enjoying recurring roles on hit sitcoms including Two and a Half Men and Hot in Cleveland, where he starred alongside The Golden Girls star Betty White.  

Recently, he was also an in-demand voice actor, working on popular shows including Family Guy, American Dad, King of the Hill, and Bob’s Burgers. 

In demand: Reiner remained active in his career well into his 80s and 90s, and appeared in the show Hot in Cleveland, where he starred alongside The Golden Girls star Betty White (above)

In demand: Reiner remained active in his career well into his 80s and 90s, and appeared in the show Hot in Cleveland, where he starred alongside The Golden Girls star Betty White (above)

In 2017, Reiner appeared in the HBO documentary If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast, alongside many of his nonagenarian peers including his comedy partner Mel Brooks and Kirk Douglas. 

The comedy legend had three children with his wife Estelle Lebost, who died in 2008, Lucas, Annie, and Rob. His son Rob Reiner went on to become a successful Hollywood film director, known for The Princess Bride (1987) and A Few Good Men (1992).  

His other children, Annie Reiner, went on to become an playwright and poet, while son Lucas Reiner is a painter and print maker. 

Golden oldies: Dick Van Dyke, Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks and Norman Lear at the LA Premiere of If You're Not In The Obit, Eat Breakfast from HBO Documentaries on May 17, 2017 in LA

Golden oldies: Dick Van Dyke, Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks and Norman Lear at the LA Premiere of If You’re Not In The Obit, Eat Breakfast from HBO Documentaries on May 17, 2017 in LA

Before his showbiz career, Reiner had graduated school at 16 and worked as a machinist while also studying acting. He joined the Army during WWII where he toured South Pacific bases entertaining troops with his acting talents in G.I. revues.

Outside of his entertainment career, Reiner has recently turned his efforts to being a staunch opponent of Donald Trump, alongside his activist son Rob Reiner, the filmmaker. 

He posted a powerful anti-Trump video in October 2018 where he began by saying: ‘I’ve seen a lot of things in my lifetime. I lived through the Great Depression. I served in World War II in our fight to defeat fascism. I’ve seen the invention of television and performed on television even before my family owned one.’

Loving couple: Carl and his wife Estelle Reiner in Los Angeles in 1986

Loving couple: Carl and his wife Estelle Reiner in Los Angeles in 1986

He then challenged Trump’s honesty, saying: ‘But what I’ve never seen is the American people being lied to every single day about everything. Lies about climate change. Lies about protecting Medicare and Social Security. Lies about Russia attacking our elections. Lies about protecting people with preexisting conditions.’ 

‘In my 96 and a half years, I’ve seen a lot of things,’ he concluded. ‘But the one thing I cannot bear to see is America being destroyed by racism, fear-mongering and lies. Fortunately, there is something we can do about that. On November 6, we can vote for elected officials who will hold this president accountable.’

Reiner had previously been vocal about his disapproval of Trump, tweeting 2018: ‘At 96 and 6 months I have an incentive to hang around [until] I’m 98 so I can vote for whoever runs against our fake President Trump.’

People were heartened by his message, and in response, he wrote back: ‘Your reaction to my desire to live at least until I can vote for someone who will put the Trumpser in the dumpster, has caused me to smile the widest smile my lips are capable of…-the one that broke out when I first looked into the faces of my 3 infant children.’

Remembering: Carl Reiner at the 47th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 9, 1999 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California

Remembering: Carl Reiner at the 47th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 9, 1999 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California

Carl Reiner’s son Rob leads celebrity tributes to his legend father after death at 98

By JUSTIN ENRIQUEZ 

Carl Reiner died at 98 as he was surrounded by his family at his home in Beverly Hills. 

His filmmaker son and political activist Rob Reiner led the celebrity tributes posted on social media for his legendary father.

The 73-year-old actor and filmmaker tweeted on Tuesday: ‘Last night my dad passed away. As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light.’

'He was my guiding light': Comedy legend Carl Reiner died at 98 as his filmmaker son and political activist Rob Reiner led the celebrity tributes posted on social media

‘He was my guiding light’: Comedy legend Carl Reiner died at 98 as his filmmaker son and political activist Rob Reiner led the celebrity tributes posted on social media 

Family first: Rob's actress daughter Romy, 23, shared a snap of herself with her grandfather and the caption: 'Love you so much [dove emoji]'

Family first: Rob’s actress daughter Romy, 23, shared a snap of herself with her grandfather and the caption: ‘Love you so much [dove emoji]’

Rob’s actress daughter Romy, 23, shared a snap of herself with her grandfather and the caption: ‘Love you so much [dove emoji]’ 

Several other celebrities followed in Rob’s footsteps in taking to social media to react  including Stephen Colbert, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Amber Tamblyn, Steve Martin, John Cusack, Stephen King and Bette Midler. 

The 56-year-old host of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert kept it simple as he shared an old black and white headshot of Reiner with the caption: ‘The Greatest.’

English comedian and actor Bhaskar, 56, shared a sweet photo of Carl with Mel Brooks and daughter Annie as they all sported Black Lives Matter shirts.

'The Greatest.': kept it simple as he shared an old black and white headshot of Reiner

‘The Greatest.’: kept it simple as he shared an old black and white headshot of Reiner

'Taken just two days ago': Sanjeev Bhaskar, 56, shared a sweet photo of Carl with Mel Brooks and daughter Annie as they all sported Black Lives Matter shirts

‘Taken just two days ago’: Sanjeev Bhaskar, 56, shared a sweet photo of Carl with Mel Brooks and daughter Annie as they all sported Black Lives Matter shirts

'One of the greatest honors of my life': Amber Tamlyn gushed about Carl as they worked together on highly-popular CBS sitcom Two And A Half Men

‘One of the greatest honors of my life’: Amber Tamlyn gushed about Carl as they worked together on highly-popular CBS sitcom Two And A Half Men

'[I] consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world': Bette Midler worked with Reiner on 1997 romantic comedy, That Old Feeling, as she starred alongside Dennis Farina

‘[I] consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world’: Bette Midler worked with Reiner on 1997 romantic comedy, That Old Feeling, as she starred alongside Dennis Farina

He captioned it: ‘Taken just two days ago, #CarlReiner #AnnieReiner (Daughter) and #MelBrooks on his 94th birthday.’

Amber Tamlyn gushed about Carl as they worked together on highly-popular CBS sitcom Two And A Half Men. 

She wrote: ‘One of the great honors of my life was working with Carl Reiner during a season of Two and a Half Men. Here’s a photo with my incredibly lovely friend @HollandTaylor during one of several episodes I did with him. We will miss you, Carl. You were a gift to this world. #CarlReiner.’

Aww: John Stamos shared some sweet snaps with Carl on Instagram

Aww: John Stamos shared some sweet snaps with Carl on Instagram

Sweet: He captioned the photos: 'These pictures make me equally happy as they do sad. Although heaven just got a whole lot funnier. #ripCarlReiner #missyouGarry'

Sweet: He captioned the photos: ‘These pictures make me equally happy as they do sad. Although heaven just got a whole lot funnier. #ripCarlReiner #missyouGarry’

'I felt the stars lining up': Comedian Jerry Seinfeld shared a fun story of when Carl was a guest on his show Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee

‘I felt the stars lining up’: Comedian Jerry Seinfeld shared a fun story of when Carl was a guest on his show Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee

Homage: Comedy actor and writer Albert Brooks said Carl was 'like a second dad to me' as he attended Beverly Hills High School with Rob

Homage: Comedy actor and writer Albert Brooks said Carl was ‘like a second dad to me’ as he attended Beverly Hills High School with Rob

Bond: English actor Cary Elwes wrote: 'The world has lost a legend and I have lost a friend. There will never be another #CarlReiner'

Bond: English actor Cary Elwes wrote: ‘The world has lost a legend and I have lost a friend. There will never be another #CarlReiner’

'As if 2020 weren't cruel enough': Josh Gad, 39, wrote a sweet tribute on Twitter as he posted a photo of Carl

‘As if 2020 weren’t cruel enough’: Josh Gad, 39, wrote a sweet tribute on Twitter as he posted a photo of Carl

Bette Midler worked with Reiner on 1997 romantic comedy, That Old Feeling, as she starred alongside Dennis Farina.

The 74-year-old singer and actress wrote: ‘The great #CarlReiner has gone to that Show of Shows in the sky. I worked with him, loved him, and consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world to have once attended lunch with his hilarious, guarrulous gang…’ 

John Stamos shared some sweet snaps with Carl on Instagram which he captioned: ‘These pictures make me equally happy as they do sad. Although heaven just got a whole lot funnier. #ripCarlReiner #missyouGarry.’

'A great loss but a truly wonderful life': John Cusack shared a sweet tribute

‘A great loss but a truly wonderful life’: John Cusack shared a sweet tribute

'Thank you, dear Carl': Fellow comedy legend Steve Martin also paid tribute

‘Thank you, dear Carl’: Fellow comedy legend Steve Martin also paid tribute 

'He was a great entertainer and a fine man': Bestselling author Stephen King shared his thoughts

‘He was a great entertainer and a fine man’: Bestselling author Stephen King shared his thoughts

'He is one of the true legends of American comedy': New York Senator Chuck Shumer also paid tribute

‘He is one of the true legends of American comedy’: New York Senator Chuck Shumer also paid tribute 

'Thank you for my joy-filled youth': Tom hanks shared a snap of Carl with a cigar in his mouth

‘Thank you for my joy-filled youth’: Tom hanks shared a snap of Carl with a cigar in his mouth

 Josh Gad, 39, wrote a sweet tribute on Twitter as he posted a photo of Carl with the caption: A’s if 2020 weren’t cruel enough. Goodbye to one of the greatest comedic minds of all time.  

‘Thank you for always making us laugh and for always giving us joy. My deepest condolences go out to the entire Reiner family. RIP #CarlReiner’

 English actor Cary Elwes wrote: ‘The world has lost a legend and I have lost a friend. There will never be another #CarlReiner.

Beloved: Several took to social media to post about Carl including comedians Seth Meyers,  Jason Alexander, and filmmaker Ron Howard

Beloved: Several took to social media to post about Carl including comedians Seth Meyers,  Jason Alexander, and filmmaker Ron Howard

‘Truly a towering figure in entertainment. We send our deepest, heartfelt condolences to Rob and the whole Reiner family. A sad, sad day.’

The comedian, actor, director, screenwriter and publisher had an impressive career in the entertainment business that spanned seven decades. 

Reiner was arguably best known for creating the iconic American sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, that aired from 1961 to 1966 and produced a total of 158 episodes spanning five seasons. 



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