Rob Reiner, Alan Alda, more pay tribute to comedy legend Carl Reiner: 'He is irreplaceable'
The news of comedy legend Carl Reiner's death at age 98 sent shockwaves through the comedy industry on Tuesday. Reiner delighted viewers with comedic film and TV work over the decades, from playing the straight man to Mel Brooks to creating The Dick Van Dyke Show. Over the course of his long life, Reiner personally worked with many other famous comedians as an actor and performer. He was also the father of three children, including actor and director Rob Reiner.
"Last night my dad passed away. As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light," Rob tweeted on Tuesday.
In an eloquent tweet, Dick Van Dyke described Reiner as "my idol" and wrote, "his scripts were never just funny, they always had something to say about us."
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Friends, fans, and collaborators alike shared their memories and condolences online. Harry Shearer, who co-created This Is Spinal Tap with Rob, called Reiner's work on The Dick Van Dyke Show "the first great TV show about TV." The Good Place creator Michael Schur, who knows a thing or two about making good sitcoms and whose Parks and Recreation Reiner appeared on in recent years, wrote that "The Dick Van Dyke Show debuted in 1961 and it's still funny. That's a magic trick." Steve Martin, who Reiner directed in hit comedy films like The Jerk, saluted him as "my greatest mentor in movies and in life."
"My friend Carl Reiner died last night. His talent will live on for a long time, but the loss of his kindness and decency leaves a hole in our hearts," Alan Alda tweeted. "We love you, Carl."
Below, check out more messages celebrating Reiner's life and legacy.
Last night my dad passed away. As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) June 30, 2020
My idol, Carl Reiner, wrote about the human comedy. He had a deeper understanding of the human condition, than I think even he was aware of. Kind, gentle, compassionate, empathetic and wise. His scripts were never just funny, they always had something to say about us.
— Dick Van Dyke (@iammrvandy) June 30, 2020
My friend Carl Reiner died last night. His talent will live on for a long time, but the loss of his kindness and decency leaves a hole in our hearts. We love you, Carl. pic.twitter.com/QWyNOYILhW
— Alan Alda (@alanalda) June 30, 2020
Very sad to awake to the news that @carlreiner has passed. There will forever only be one of him. May his memory be forever blessed. He leaves us with so much laughter. My heart goes out to @robreiner and the entire Reiner family.
— Ed Asner (@TheOnlyEdAsner) June 30, 2020
We have lost the great Carl Reiner. My condolences to his family. He is irreplaceable. pic.twitter.com/pA1Tc4I5uR
— Joy Behar (@JoyVBehar) June 30, 2020
Goodbye to my greatest mentor in movies and in life. Thank you, dear Carl. https://t.co/H7A4ZwIqfc
— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) June 30, 2020
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1277991007892549632%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.latimes.com%2Fentertainment-arts%2Fstory%2F2020-06-30%2Fcarl-reiner-dead-rob-reiner-celebrity-reactions-tweets-twitter
The world lost an amazing voice with the loss of #comedylegend and #activist @carlreiner at 98. Do yourself a favor and stream #thedickvandykeshow #alanbrady or listen to the #2000yearoldman audio with #melbrooks pic.twitter.com/mSywM1Qryw
— Al Roker (@alroker) June 30, 2020
Comedy giant Carl Reiner has left the room. I got to know him a bit, not that long after he had made the first great TV show about TV. Legendarily funny, but, fortunately, not "always on".
Wrote, acted, directed. Did it all, except trumpet.— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) June 30, 2020
We lost a person who gave us great times-countless laughs. He was brilliant. And kind. I met him only once but will never forget his gentle thoughtfulness. He was with us through good times and hard times. Thank you Carl Reiner. His memory will be a blessing. . https://t.co/hbfPrO0eRe
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) June 30, 2020
The brilliant and hilarious Carl Reiner hosted the Director’s Guild awards for decades before his health forced him to take the night off.
They asked me to sub in for him. Here’s the letter he sent me:#RIPCarlReiner https://t.co/dkvtzXtKfA pic.twitter.com/eUy2E9b0B0— Jon Cryer (@MrJonCryer) June 30, 2020
RIP to the comedy legend Carl Reiner. who gave us so much laughter in film and TV, in front of and behind the camera. Apart from anything else, thank you for this, the most romantic bedroom scene of all time. https://t.co/9yDBWwE7GX
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) June 30, 2020
The Dick Van Dyke Show debuted in 1961, and it's still funny. That's a magic trick. RIP Carl Reiner, one of comedy's greatest magicians.
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) June 30, 2020
The Greatest. pic.twitter.com/AjlGKQXezG
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) June 30, 2020
Carl Reiner was a legend. Writer, director, actor, innovator. He helped shape so much in comedy. If you have time today put “Mel brooks and Carl Reiner” into youtube and enjoy two of the funniest humans making each other laugh for over 50 years.https://t.co/Owxx5Vgwq4
— Ben Schwartz (@rejectedjokes) June 30, 2020
So sad to hear about the passing of Carl Reiner. The man was a titan of comedy. None of us in the business haven’t been affected by his work. It’s hard to imagine a world without him. RIP Carl.
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) June 30, 2020
RIP #Carl Reiner - 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. https://t.co/95dleAFveQ
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) June 30, 2020
R.I.P. Carl Reiner. Growing up Carl was like a second dad to me. He was the greatest. Not just as a comic legend but as a man. There was no one else this funny and this nice. I loved him.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) June 30, 2020
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...
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) June 30, 2020
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1277986140298100736%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.latimes.com%2Fentertainment-arts%2Fstory%2F2020-06-30%2Fcarl-reiner-dead-rob-reiner-celebrity-reactions-tweets-twitter
.@TheSimpsons RIP Carl Reiner godfather to generations of comedy writers.
— Al Jean (@AlJean) June 30, 2020
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1277971220248444928%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.latimes.com%2Fentertainment-arts%2Fstory%2F2020-06-30%2Fcarl-reiner-dead-rob-reiner-celebrity-reactions-tweets-twitter
We join in mourning the loss of comedy legend, "Dick Van Dyke Show" creator, and #TwainPrize recipient @carlreiner.
Watch #CarlReiner's full, heartfelt acceptance speech from that unforgettable night. ▶ https://t.co/AW7P9jpDXk pic.twitter.com/95v2VUasHi— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) June 30, 2020
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1277975360810844161%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.latimes.com%2Fentertainment-arts%2Fstory%2F2020-06-30%2Fcarl-reiner-dead-rob-reiner-celebrity-reactions-tweets-twitter
Related content:
