Rob Reiner, George Clooney, Dick Van Dyke and More Stars Pay Tribute to ‘Comedy Legend’ Carl Reiner
Click here to read the full article.
Hollywood dignitaries, from Rob Reiner to George Clooney, took to social media on Tuesday to pay tribute to the late Carl Reiner. Reiner, the 98-year-old whose legendary career as a comedy writer, director and producer spanned over 60 years, died Monday of natural causes.
His son Rob Reiner wrote, “Last night my dad passed away. As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light.”
More from Variety
Carl Reiner's Twitter Musings Remained Essential and Hilarious Until the End
Carl Reiner, Comedy Legend and 'Dick Van Dyke Show' Creator, Dies at 98
Matthew McConaughey Says He Owes His Career to Joel Schumacher (EXCLUSIVE)
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
Clooney, who collaborated with Reiner on the “Ocean’s Eleven” movies, 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.”
Reiner’s longtime friend Alan Alda said, “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.”
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
Steve Martin — the star of several films directed by Reiner, including “The Jerk,” “All of Me” with Lily Tomlin, “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.”
Goodbye to my greatest mentor in movies and in life. Thank you, dear Carl. https://t.co/H7A4ZwIqfc
— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) June 30, 2020
Dick Van Dyke, star of Reiner’s classic sitcom “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” offered his condolences. “My idol, Carl Reiner, wrote about the human comedy,” Van Dyke wrote on Twitter. “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.”
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
Bernadette Peters, who starred in Reiner’s 1979 screwball comedy “The Jerk” with Martin, said, “Dearest Carl this was your last tweet always always caring til the end. We shall miss you very much.”
Dearest Carl this was your last tweet always always caring til the end. We shall miss you very much ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/5OvzIC3M5h
— Bernadette Peters (@OfficialBPeters) June 30, 2020
Jerry Seinfeld said, “Anyone in comedy who got to know or even just meet Carl Reiner felt that they had been given a great gift.”
— Jerry Seinfeld (@JerrySeinfeld) June 30, 2020
Bette Midler, who played Lilly Leonard in Reiner’s romantic comedy “That Old Feeling,” wrote, “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…”
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
Actress Amber Tamblyn, who briefly worked with Reiner on “Two and a Half Men,” shared a photo from set with Holland Taylor. She captioned the picture, “We will miss you, Carl. You were a gift to this world.”
One of the great honors of my life was working with Carl Reiner during a season of Two and a Half Men. Here’s a photo with my incredibly lovely friend @HollandTaylor during one of several episodes I did with him. We will miss you, Carl. You were a gift to this world. #CarlReiner pic.twitter.com/Mc5zVhu7ma
— Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) June 30, 2020
Three days before he died, Reiner, who was prolific on Twitter, reflected on his own life. “Nothing pleases me more than knowing that I have lived the best life possible by having met & marrying the gifted Estelle (Stella) Lebost—who partnered with me in bringing Rob, Annie & Lucas Reiner into to this needy & evolving world,” he wrote.
Nothing pleases me more than knowing that I have lived the best life possible by having met & marrying the gifted Estelle (Stella) Lebost—who partnered with me in bringing Rob, Annie & Lucas Reiner into to this needy & evolving world.
— carl reiner (@carlreiner) June 27, 2020
Read more tributes below:
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
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
Carl Reiner was comedy genius. Often that genius made other funny people even funnier. But give him a stage and he could spin laughter out of any moment. I watched him do it time and again. His contributions to comedy are eternal. And a lovely man, as well. #ripCarlReiner
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) June 30, 2020
As if 2020 weren’t cruel enough. Goodbye to one of the greatest comedic minds of all time. Thank you for always making us laugh and for always giving us joy. My deepest condolences go out to the entire Reiner family. RIP #CarlReiner pic.twitter.com/IeJ3RkG2vS
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) 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
Condolences to the family of Carl Reiner. From the writers room of Sid Caesar to recreating those times for the Dick Van Dyke show, Carl was a master at his craft. I knew him only peripherally but it was a pleasure to have known him.😞
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) 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
He was a legend, a patriot, and a beautiful, caring man. He helped me personally and inspired me. He didn’t live long enough to see his beloved country restored but he looked forward to that day.
And it will come.
I love you Carl. Thanks.@carlreiner pic.twitter.com/ThrUeSiSdl
— Steven Weber (@TheStevenWeber) 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 comedy legend @carlreiner at 98 yesterday. He was a pillar in our community and brought so much joy to our screens for so many years. I had the pleasure of working with him in 2017 and I will never, ever forget it. Thank you, Carl. pic.twitter.com/DuaiuJgTEf
— Emily Osment (@EmilyOsment) June 30, 2020
Carl Reiner, Bronx born and bred, made TV comedy that endures to this day. He made America laugh — a true gift.
New York extends our condolences to his family and many friends. https://t.co/Xmou8kabLI
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) 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
so sorry that the great Carl Reiner did not live to see the downfall of T***p. just that—it would have thrilled him no end, & he deserved it. https://t.co/SkOw8B8W4r
— Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) June 30, 2020
LEGEND. RIP Carl Reiner https://t.co/RpuGA1SBvf
— April (@ReignOfApril) June 30, 2020
RIP to one of the greats, Carl Reiner. https://t.co/EM1RvuZwuW pic.twitter.com/kjIya6qpAY
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 30, 2020
God bless Carl Reiner. A very nice, comic genius. Very sad. But what a life. A giant, comic genius, who we all learned from and influences comedy to this day. My condolences to his family and friends. #GodBlessCarlReiner
— Jon Lovitz (@realjonlovitz) June 30, 2020
Thanks for the near century of your life and gifts, Carl Reiner. Your heart, your humor, your spirit will live on in all of us. The stars are twinkling just a bit more merrily today with you there to entertain the heavens.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) 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 @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 pic.twitter.com/mazBmwznkX
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) June 30, 2020
This is Very sad news 🙏🏿✊🏿Rest In Peace and power Carl Reiner gratitude for all the laughter you have given us through the years.
— ✌🏼rosanna arquette (@RoArquette) 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
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
