Comedic legend Carl Reiner, best known for “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “The 2000-Year-Old Man” has passed away at 98 years old.
Reiner died from natural causes in his home in Beverly Hills. The news of his death was announced by his son, Director Rob Reiner on twitter.
“Last night my dad passed away,” Rob Reiner wrote. “As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light.”
Carl Reiner left his mark in Hollywood. The Brooklyn native began his career as an actor before shifting to stand-up comedy. With a career that spanned over seven decades, Reiner has written, directed, and produced some of Hollywood’s most beloved programs. Reiner reached audiences in live television, Broadway, motion pictures, and even record albums.
Some of his most notable work includes a comedy duo with Mel Broooks on The Steve Allen Show, a lead role in the Broadway musical Call Me Mister, and the films The Jerk, Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid, and All of Me.
Reiner’s most memorable creation came in 1960 when he wrote the script for a TV pilot called Head of the Family, which was a TV sitcom that was based off Reiner’s professional life. The show took off once Dick Van Dyke was casted as the lead and Reiner’s pilot became famously known as The Dick Van Dyke Show. The show ran from 1961 to 1966 and was a huge milestone in American TV sitcoms. He has since directed more than a dozen movies and won nine Emmy’s, as well as a Grammy. Reiner continued his career well into his nineties, doing voice-overs for the TV series Bob’s Burgers and had a role on Parks and Recreation.
With all the success he has had throughout his career, Reiner deems his family as the biggest prize. He was married for almost 65 years and leaves behind children who will continue to carry out his legacy in the arts.