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DICK VAN DYKE SHOW Creator Carl Reiner Dies at 98

Photo via Sarah Silverman on Twitter

DICK VAN DYKE SHOW Creator Carl Reiner Dies at 98

By Tess Farrand, Associate Content Editor

DICK VAN DYKE SHOW Creator Carl Reiner died in his home in Beverly Hills, California at 98 years old.

“Last night my dad passed away. As I write this, my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light,” said Rob Reiner, Carl’s son.

Reiner’s assistant told Variety that his death was due to natural causes.

Although Reiner was born Jewish, the Holocaust caused him to turn away from God, but the comedic legend still maintained family values.

CNN Entertainment reported on Reiner’s early days:

He was born in the Bronx on March 20, 1922. According to his autobiography, his father was a watchmaker, his mother a homemaker, and young Reiner wanted to be an actor. The shy teenager got a needed push when his older brother suggested joining a Depression-era acting class. By 17, Reiner was working regularly.

“Every week for a year, I did two shows at the Gilmore Theater. I was a very good, solid, serious actor. That’s what I wanted to do,” he told Moment magazine.

But serious, dramatic acting was not in the cards for Reiner. After entering the Army in 1942, he became a teletype operator in the Signal Corps. In 1943, he was assigned to an entertainment unit and ended up touring the South Pacific as a comedian.

The WWII veteran’s comedic talents catapulted him into stardom in entertainment in the 1950s. In 1961, he created THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW which went on to win him six Primetime Emmy’s.

Even with all the fame, Reiner knew it meant nothing without family.

“Show business is only 8 to 12. And, the rest is your family. You’re only doing it so you can have a family and a house,” Reiner told the Boston Globe.  “Without a wife and children, show business means nothing. You’re doing it to make a living, but enjoying doing it and getting paid for something you love to do.”

In an interview with PBS, Reiner said that meeting his longtime wife, Estelle, was the best thing that ever happened to him.

“65 years with the right woman, you can’t ask for anything more,” Reiner said.

The Reiners had three children and their oldest, Rob, went on to be an actor in movies like THE PRINCESS BRIDE and WHEN HARRY MET SALLY.

In his later years, Reiner appeared in the OCEANS 11 movie franchise and voiced a character in TOY STORY 4.

Reiner was best friends with Mel Brooks (LITTLE RASCALS, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA).

Movieguide® Founder Dr. Ted Baehr said, “Carl Reiner brought joy to the world and cared about his audience”

Celebrities mourned Reiner on social media.

Please keep the Reiner family in your prayers.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.