Earlier today, we reported that Hollywood legend Carl Reiner passed away on Monday night at the age of 98. Now, his “best friend” and former collaborator Mel Brooks is speaking out to pay tribute to him.
Brooks released a statement on Tuesday to honor Reiner, who he had been close friends with since 1950.
“Carl was a giant, unmatched in his contributions to entertainment,” wrote Brooks, 94. “He created comedy gems like ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show,’ ‘The Jerk,’ and /Where’s Poppa?’ I met him in 1950 when he joined Sid Caesar on ‘Your Show of Shows,’ and we’ve been best friends ever since. I loved him.”
“When we were doing ‘The 2000 Year Old Man’ together there was no better straight man in the world,” he added. “So whether he wrote or performed or he was just your best friend — nobody could do it better. He’ll be greatly missed. A tired cliché in times like this, but in Carl Reiner’s case it’s absolutely true. He will be greatly missed.”
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) June 30, 2020
Brooks and Reiner collaborated frequently over the years, and they won a Grammy together for best spoken word comedy album for their album “The 2000 Year Old Man in the Year 2000,” according to Fox News.
Tributes have been pouring in for Reiner from Hollywood all day, including from his son Rob Reiner of “All In The Family” fame.
“Last night my dad passed away. As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light,” he wrote on Twitter.
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
Other Hollywood legends paid tribute to Reiner as well.
“Very sad to awake to the news that @carlreiner has passed,” tweeted “Mary Tyler Moore Show” star Ed Asner. “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
Alan Alda, who starred on the iconic television show “M.A.S.H.,” paid tribute to Reiner as well.
“My friend Carl Reiner died last night,” he tweeted. “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
Though he had a career that spanned decades, from the 1940s right up until last year, Reiner always said that creating and guest starring in “The Dick Van Dyke Show” was his proudest achievement.
“When asked, ‘Of all the theatrical projects you’ve done in your life, what are you most proud of?’ I always say, hands down, it’s creating and producing ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show,'” Reiner said last year. “It was a labor of love.”
This piece originally appeared in UpliftingToday.com and is used by permission.
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