Carl Reiner Dies at 98

Prolific actor, director, and producer Carl Reiner has died at the age of 98. TMZ reports that the actor died Monday night at his Beverly Hills, California home surrounded by family. Reiner is best known for creating iconic sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show and for his work as a director on films ranging from Summer Rental to The Jerk.

Reiner amassed dozens of awards throughout his decades-long career, including nine Emmy Awards, one Grammy Award, and The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. While the multi-hyphenate spent much of his later career as a producer and director, he first broke out as an actor in the 1950s with roles in Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows and Caesar’s Hour. In 1960, Reiner teamed with Mel Brooks on The Steve Allen Show, which quickly expanded to include five comedy albums and an animated television special in 1975.

In the early 1960s, Reiner developed The Dick Van Dyke Show, starring Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, and Larry Matthews. The sitcom immediately became a smash hit and catapulted its creator into writer/producer stardom. Reiner directed multiple episodes throughout the series’ five-season run and occasionally appeared on-screen as television host Alan Brady. From 1961 to 1966, The Dick Van Dyke Show won 15 Emmy Awards, including multiple writing awards for Reiner.

After The Dick Van Dyke Show concluded, Reiner continued to star in, write, and direct countless comedy projects. Oh God, a 1977 collaboration with George Burns, was a smash hit, as was The Jerk (1979), starring Steve Martin. Reiner went on to direct dozens of films, including John Candy’s Summer Rental, Summer School, Sibling Rivalry with Kirstie Alley and Carrie Fisher, and That Old Feeling starring Bette Midler.

In recent years, Reiner transitioned to smaller guest roles and voice work in projects like House, Merry Madagascar, and The Cleveland Show. The famed entertainer also made an appearance in 2019 Pixar hit Toy Story 4 alongside Carol Burnett and Mel Brooks.

Rest in Peace, Carl Reiner. You will be missed.

Where to stream The Dick Van Dyke Show