Carl Reiner death: Dick Van Dyke show creator, actor and comedian dead aged 98

Comedy pioneer died on Monday in California

Carl Reiner attends a screening of his film ‘The Jerk’ at the 2017 TCM Classic Film Festival in Los Angeles (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for TCM)

Carl Reiner, the actor and comedian behind The Dick Van Dyke Show, has died at the age of 98.

Reiner died on Monday night of natural causes at his home in Beverly Hills, California, his assistant told Variety.

Throughout his career, Reiner won nine Emmy Awards, including five in the 1960s for The Dick Van Dyke Show.

He left an indelible mark on show business as a comedian, actor, producer, and filmmaker, directing comedy movies such as Oh God! (1977) and All of Me (1984).

In the 2000s, Reiner became a part of the Ocean’s film series, starring as Saul Bloom, a career con artist brought out of retirement to assist Danny Ocean’s team in Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve, and Ocean’s Thirteen.

Born on 20 March 1922 in the Bronx, New York, Reiner began his career in theatre in the late 1940s. By the 1950s, he had scored regular credits on television, including as a cast member on Your Show of Shows, starring Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca, and the comedy show Caesar’s Hour.

With Mel Brooks, he developed the comedy routine “The 2,000-Year-Old-Man”, with Brooks as the titular character and Reiner as his interviewer. The skit was developed into a TV special in 1975, and into the Grammy-winning performance The 2,000-Year-Old-Man In the Year 2000 in 1997.

The Dick Van Dyke Show, created and co-written by Reiner, aired from 1961 to 1966, earning 15 Emmys along the way. Reiner had a supporting role as Alan Brady, while Van Dyke portrayed protagonist Rob Petrie and Mary Tyler Moore played Laura Petrie.

The 1960s and 1970s saw Reiner developing his activities as a director, both on TV and on the big screen. He notably directed the 1979 comedy The Jerk starring Steve Martin.

Reiner kept directing and acting throughout the Eighties. In the 1990s, he made TV appearances on shows such as Frasier, Mad About You, and Hercules.

In addition to his Ocean’s role in the 2000s, Reiner appeared on Ally McBeal, Boston Legal, and House, among other programmes. He later did some voice acting on The Cleveland Show, American Dad! and Family Guy.

His most recent credits include the TV series Young & Hungry and Toy Story 4.

After the news of his death broke on Tuesday, many across the entertainment industry paid tribute to Reiner, highlighting his legacy as a pioneer of comedy.

His son, actor, comedian, and filmmaker Rob Reiner wrote on Twitter: “Last night my dad passed away. As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light.”

George Clooney, who collaborated with Reiner on the Ocean’s franchise, told Variety: “Carl Reiner made every room he walked into funnier, smarter, kinder. It all seemed so effortless. What an incredible gift he gave us all. His was a life well lived and we’re all the better for it. Rest in peace my friend.”

Steve Martin, star of several films directed by Reiner including The Jerk, All of Me, Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid and The Man With Two Brains, tweeted on Tuesday: “Goodbye to my greatest mentor in movies and in life. Thank you, dear Carl.”

Filmmaker Ron Howard praised Reiner as “a brilliant comedy talent w/heart & intellect whether writing, directing, producing or performing. Try estimating how many times in your life this fella’s work made you laugh. I count well over 3k for me & growing. Thank you, Carl.”

Comedian Sarah Silverman tweeted: “So sad to hear about @carlreiner. Not only did he make my favorite TV& movies (see: Where’s Poppa) but his humanity was beyond compare. His heart was so full of love. Never left his house empty handed – book, space pen, Swiss Army knife. RIP to a man that embodies the word mensch.”