Hollywood is saying goodbye to a legend. Carl Reiner, creator of The Dick Van Dyke Show and an acclaimed actor director and producer, died Monday night at his Beverly Hills home. He was 98.
"Last night my dad passed away. As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light," his son, Rob Reiner, tweeted on Tuesday morning.
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After news broke of Carl Reiner's death, his friends and colleagues took to social media and beyond to honor the late star.
George Clooney, who starred alongside Reiner in Ocean's 11, released a statement about his co-star. "Carl Reiner made every room he walked into funnier, smarter, kinder," he said. "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."
Meanwhile, Betty White's rep told ET, "I know she loved him dearly. They had many laughs together."
In another statement to ET, Mark Harmon said of Reiner, "Carl was so smart, loving, interested, precise, funny. A gentleman. A professional's professional. Always made time to listen. Thoughts of him make me smile. Such a remarkable life."
The Instagram of Dick Van Dyke also posted a tribute to the late star, writing: "100% pure mensch. We love you so much."
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
Reiner's longtime pal, Ed Asner, expressed what a mark his friend has left on Hollywood, tweeting: "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."
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
The comedy legend's other longtime friend, Alan Alda, was one of the first to honor him. "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," Alda wrote.
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
Melissa Rivers remembered Reiner fondly for his performance at her late mother, Joan Rivers', roast.
"Another legend has left us. Carl Reiner was FUNNY, smart and kind. I’ll never forget how he mustered the strength and courage to call my mother a C**T at her roast, and did it so cleverly and sweetly, that it was a true honor," she tweeted. "Rest in peace, Carl."
From Melissa Rivers: Another legend has left us. Carl Reiner was FUNNY, smart and kind. I’ll never forget how he mustered the strength and courage to call my mother a C*NT at her roast, and did it so cleverly and sweetly, that it was a true honor. Rest in peace, Carl. pic.twitter.com/0iqerI8OJw
— Joan Rivers (@Joan_Rivers) June 30, 2020
Reiner's The Jerk co-star, Bernadette Peters, wrote that he was "always caring til the end," while actor Josh Gad praised Reiner as "one of the greatest comedic minds of all time."
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
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
Even New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo paid tribute to Reiner, who was born in the Bronx. "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," he tweeted.
Here's a look at the other celebrity tributes that came flooding in after news of Reiner's passing.
— Jerry Seinfeld (@JerrySeinfeld) June 30, 2020
@carlreiner was a gift to us all.
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) June 30, 2020
Hilarious,brilliant and always a gentleman. My relationship with him will always be cherished. He was a hero to me and all of us in comedy have lost a giant. All my love to Rob and the family.
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
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
I'm so sorry to hear that Carl Reiner has passed on. He was a great entertainer and a fine man.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) June 30, 2020
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of show business legend Carl Reiner. An innovator, entertainer and beloved icon, his nearly century of life was like a roadmap through American culture. His wit and courage never left him. My heartfelt condolences to his family.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) 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
The brilliant and hilarious Carl Reiner hosted the Director’s Guild awards for decades before his health forced him to take the night off.
— Jon Cryer (@MrJonCryer) June 30, 2020
They asked me to sub in for him. Here’s the letter he sent me:#RIPCarlReiner https://t.co/dkvtzXtKfA pic.twitter.com/eUy2E9b0B0
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
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
RIP to one of the greats, Carl Reiner. https://t.co/EM1RvuZwuW pic.twitter.com/kjIya6qpAY
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) 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
The Greatest. pic.twitter.com/AjlGKQXezG
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) 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
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
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
.@carlreiner was one of the greats. My love to @robreiner, @michelereiner and his whole family who he absolutely adored #RIP #CarlReiner https://t.co/YoWxbFmqyT
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) June 30, 2020
“I want to thank the hotel for hosting us here. This was kind of a last minute thing, and Tom Arnold’s asshole was booked.” - Carl Reiner at Larry Sanders roast #ripCarlReiner
— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) June 30, 2020
One of the many gifts @carlreiner gave me; inviting me to be a groupie for the Dick Van Dyke Show reunion 🥰 pic.twitter.com/hoeOWDtJ3U
— Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) 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
Honoring the hilarious life of Carl Reiner, Bronx born and raised, he played the Broadway stage and helped make New Rochelle famous as the home of Rob and Laura Petrie. He was one of the true legends of American comedy.https://t.co/eJbz71dDmI
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 30, 2020
Check out ET's exclusive interview where Reiner reminisces with Dick Van Dyke about their time working on The Dick Van Dyke Show.
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