Reiner, Carl (1922-2020), was an American comic actor who became a popular television and motion-picture writer and director. From 1956 to 1967, Reiner won eight Emmy Awards for his work as a producer, writer, and performer on television. Reiner created “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (1961-1966), one of the most popular comedy series in television history.
Reiner was born on March 20, 1922, in New York City. He made his first impact in show business as a regular performer on Sid Caesar’s famous comedy-variety TV series “Your Show of Shows” (1950-1954). Reiner wrote an autobiographical novel, Enter Laughing (1958), which he adapted into a hit Broadway comedy in 1963. He also directed and co-wrote the motion-picture version in 1967.
Reiner made his debut as a motion-picture actor in Happy Anniversary (1959). His other film appearances include It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! (1966), The End (1978), Fatal Instinct (which he also directed, 1993), and Bullets over Broadway (1994). After making his debut as a movie director with Enter Laughing, Reiner directed such films as Where’s Poppa? (1970), Oh, God! (1977), The Jerk (1979), Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982), All of Me (1984), Sibling Rivalry (1990), and That Old Feeling (1997).
Reiner teamed up with the American motion-picture director, actor, writer, and producer Mel Brooks in the early 1960’s to record several hit comedy albums, beginning with The 2,000 Year Old Man. In the albums, Reiner interviewed Brooks, who portrayed a man who was 2,000 years old.
Reiner wrote a number of books, including the memoirs My Anecdotal Life (2003), I Remember Me (2013), and Too Busy to Die (2017). Reiner’s son Rob Reiner became a popular comic actor and film director. Carl Reiner died on June 29, 2020.
