Remembering Carl Reiner, beloved comedy actor and director

Transcript

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Judy Woodruff: Beloved comedy writer, actor, and director Carl Reiner died last night of natural causes at his home in Beverly Hills, California. Reiner’s prolific career spanned seven decades, and touched virtually every entertainment genre, from television to Broadway theater.

Amna Nawaz takes a look back at his accomplished life.

Carl Reiner: Mel, let him slice his own baloney, huh?

(LAUGHTER)

Amna Nawaz: From the start, Carl Reiner was a television comedy pioneer, first appearing in 1950 as the sharp-witted straight man on Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows.”

Carl Reiner: Well, look, honey, we’re right in the middle of a poker game. That’s right.

Amna Nawaz: There, he met Mel Brooks, with whom he created comedy classics, like this bit about a 2,000-year-old man.

Carl Reiner: Is that true, sir?

Mel Brooks: Yes. You want to see my drivers license?

Amna Nawaz: Reiner created, produced and acted in one of the most celebrated comedies in television history, “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” And in the 1970s, he saw success on the big screen, directing films including “Oh, God!” and “The Jerk” with Steve Martin.

Film was a family affair. His son Rob directed films like “When Harry Met Sally.” Carl Reiner’s wife, Estelle, had this infamous cameo:

Estelle Reiner: I’ll have what she’s having.

Amna Nawaz: Reiner was actively at work well into his years on sitcoms, in movies like the “Ocean’s 11” franchise and on Twitter, where he would share his musings, movie reviews, and political views, right up until yesterday evening about President Trump.

Back in 2016, Reiner spoke with the “NewsHour” about how his love of comedy was born and how it stuck with him.

Carl Reiner: My influences in comedy started because my parents loved comedy. My parents always sought out comedies. The Marx Brothers were their favorites. Those people who have a sense of humor get through life more comfortably than those who don’t.

Amna Nawaz: Carl Reiner was 98 years old.