Born: March 20, 1922 – Died: June 29, 2020
Carl Reiner, an American comedy virtuoso, left an indelible mark on the entertainment world with his multifaceted career as an actor, director, writer, and producer. Born in the Bronx, New York, to Bessie (née Mathias) and Irving Reiner, his father a watchmaker, Reiner hailed from a Jewish immigrant family with Austrian and Romanian roots. His journey from a machine repairman to a Hollywood legend is a classic American tale of talent meeting opportunity.
Early Life and Career
Reiner's early life was shaped in New York City, where he honed his craft at a dramatic workshop run by the Works Progress Administration. His formal education details are sketchy, but his real schooling came from the theater of life, leading to his first industry role in a revue-style show. By 1950, he had landed his first professional gig, setting the stage for a career that would be both prolific and impactful.
His major break came with his role on "Your Show of Shows," which became a defining moment in his career. The show, and its successor "Caesar's Hour," brought Reiner critical acclaim and his first Emmy nominations. It was, however, "The Dick Van Dyke Show," which he created and starred in, that turned Reiner into a household name, earning him multiple Emmys for acting, writing, and producing.
Beyond the small screen, Reiner's personal life was as full as his professional one. He married, had children, and pursued various interests and talents, including writing and recording. Despite the inevitable controversies that accompany a life in the spotlight, Reiner was known for his philanthropy and contributions beyond the entertainment industry.
His passing on June 29, 2020, left a void in Hollywood, but his legacy endures. His innovation, versatility, and influence on American comedy earned him a place among the pantheon of greats. Carl Reiner wasn't just a star; he was a constellation in the comedy universe, whose light continues to guide and inspire.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Home Movie: The Princess Bride (TV Mini Series) | The Grandfather |
| 2019 | Forky Asks a Question (TV Series) | Carl Reineroceros (voice) |
| 2019 | *Toy Story 4* | Carl Reineroceros (voice) |
| 2018 | Angie Tribeca (TV Series) | Glenn-Allen Mixon |
| 2018 | Duck Duck Goose | Larry (voice) |
| 2017 | Young & Hungry (TV Series) | Bernie |
| 2016–2017 | Family Guy (TV Series) | Fantasy Baseball Coach | Old Man (voice) |
| 2016 | Justice League Action (TV Series) | The Wizard (voice) |
| 2015 | Shimmer and Shine (TV Series) | Santa Claus (voice) |
| 2014–2015 | Captain Jake and the Never Land Pirates (TV Series) | Captain Treasure Tooth (voice) |
| 2015 | WordGirl (TV Series) | Blue Blazer |
| 2011–2015 | American Dad! (TV Series) | Irv | Mailbox #1 |
| 2014 | Bob's Burgers (TV Series) | Henry (voice) |
| 2010–2014 | Hot in Cleveland (TV Series) | Max | Carl |
| 2009–2014 | Two and a Half Men (TV Series) | Marty Pepper |
| 2014 | Dumbbells | Donald Cummings |
| 2010–2013 | The Cleveland Show (TV Series) | Murray (voice) |
| 2012 | Parks and Recreation (TV Series) | Ned Jones |
| 2010 | The Penguins of Madagascar (TV Series) | Santa Claus (voice) |
| 2009 | Merry Madagascar (TV Movie) | Santa (voice) |
| 2009 | House (TV Series) | Eugene Schwartz |
| 2008 | The Adventures of Captain Cross Dresser (TV Short) | Dr. Fillmore (voice) |
| 2007 | Ocean's Thirteen | Saul Bloom |
| 2006 | The Blue Elephant | Tian (voice) |
| 2004–2005 | Father of the Pride (TV Series) | Sarmoti (voice) |
| 2005 | Boston Legal (TV Series) | Milton Bombay |
| 2002–2005 | The Bernie Mac Show (TV Series) | Carl Reiner | Neighbor |
| 2004 | Ocean's Twelve | Saul Bloom |
| 2004 | The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited (TV Movie) | Alan Brady |
| 2002–2003 | Life with Bonnie (TV Series) | Mr. Portinbody |
| 2003 | Good Boy | Shep (voice) |
| 2003 | The Alan Brady Show (TV Movie) | Alan Brady (voice) |
| 2002 | Globehunters (TV Movie) | Max (voice) |
| 2002 | Ally McBeal (TV Series) | Johnson Buck |
| 2002 | Crossing Jordan (TV Series) | Harry Macy |
| 2001 | The Majestic | Studio Executive (voice) |
| 2001 | Ocean's Eleven | Saul Bloom |
| 1997–2000 | King of the Hill (TV Series) | Garry Kasner | Gary Kasner (voice) |
| 2000 | The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle | P.G. Biggershot |
| 1999–2000 | Family Law (TV Series) | Al Lipton |
| 1999 | Beggars and Choosers (TV Series) | Sid Barry |
| 1998 | Hercules (TV Series) | Prometheus (voice) |
| 1998 | Slums of Beverly Hills | Mickey |
| 1997 | The Larry Sanders Show (TV Series) | Carl Reiner |
| 1996 | The Right to Remain Silent (TV Movie) | Norman Friedler |
| 1996 | Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man (TV Series) | Salacious Priest (voice) |
| 1995 | Mad About You (TV Series) | Alan Brady |
| 1993 | Frasier (TV Series) | Roger (voice) |
| 1993 | Fatal Instinct | Judge Ben Arugula |
| 1990 | The Spirit of '76 | Dr. Von Mobil |
| 1988–1989 | It's Garry Shandling's Show. (TV Series) | Carl Reiner |
| 1988 | Mickey's 60th Birthday (TV Movie) | Mel Fellini |
| 1987 | In the Mood | Alan Brady - Newsreel Narrator (voice, uncredited) |
| 1987 | Summer School | Mr. Dearadorian |
| 1984 | Faerie Tale Theatre (TV Series) | Geppetto |
| 1982 | Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid | Field Marshall VonKluck |
| 1982 | Twilight Theatre (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1981 | Skokie (TV Movie) | Abbot Rosen |
| 1981 | History of the World: Part I | voice of God speaking to Moses (uncredited) |
| 1979 | The Jerk | Carl Reiner The Celebrity (as Carl Reiner The Celebrity) |
| 1978 | The End | Dr. James Maneet |
| 1978 | The One and Only | Theater Director (uncredited) |
| 1977 | Oh, God! | Dinah's Guest |
| 1976 | Good Heavens (TV Series) | Mr. Angel |
| 1975 | Medical Story (TV Movie) | Dr. Reiber |
| 1975 | The 2000 Year Old Man (TV Movie) | Interviewer (voice) |
| 1974 | Julie and Dick at Covent Garden (TV Movie) | Ghost of Drury Lane |
| 1974 | The Carol Burnett Show (TV Series) | Various Characters |
| 1972–1973 | The New Dick Van Dyke Show (TV Series) | Announcer | Director |
| 1973 | Ten from Your Show of Shows | Unknown |
| 1972 | The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (TV Series) | Dr. Arthur Gravis |
| 1972 | This Week in Nemtim (TV Movie) | Nemtik |
| 1970–1972 | Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (TV Series) | Guest Performer | William Shakespeare | Marty Farkel ... |
| 1971 | Night Gallery (TV Series) | Professor Peabody (segment "Professor Peabody's Last Lecture") |
| 1970 | The Tim Conway Comedy Hour (TV Series) | Various |
| 1969 | Generation | Stan Herman |
| 1969 | That Girl (TV Series) | Carl Reiner |
| 1969 | The Comic | Al Schilling |
| 1967 | Good Morning World (TV Series) | Carl Reiner |
| 1967 | A Guide for the Married Man | Technical Adviser (uncredited) |
| 1966 | Funny Is Funny (Short) | Brutus (voice) |
| 1961–1966 | The Dick Van Dyke Show (TV Series) | Alan Brady | Mr. Soberman | Singer ... |
| 1966 | Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title | Bald Bookstore Customer (uncredited) |
| 1966 | The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming | Walt Whittaker |
| 1966 | Alice of Wonderland in Paris | Anatole (voice) |
| 1964–1965 | Linus the Lionhearted (TV Series) | Billie Bird (voice) |
| 1965 | The Art of Love | Rodin |
| 1964 | Burke's Law (TV Series) | Chief Inspector House | Binky Fawcett |
| 1963 | It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World | Tower Controller at Rancho Conejo |
| 1963 | The Thrill of It All | Nazi Officer | Cad | Cowboy |
| 1962 | Anatole (Short) | Anatole (voice, uncredited) |
| 1961 | Gidget Goes Hawaiian | Russ Lawrence |
| 1960 | The Comedy Spot (TV Series) | Rob Petrie |
| 1959 | The Violinist (Short) | Narrator | Harry | Agnes (voice) ... |
| 1959 | The Gazebo | Harlow Edison |
| 1959 | Happy Anniversary | Bud |
| 1959 | Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (TV Series) | George Guthrie |
| 1957 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) | Regis |
| 1955 | The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (TV Series) | Hotel Waiter |
| 1954 | Ponds Theater (TV Series) | Sir Kay |
| 1954 | Campbell Summer Soundstage (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1948 | The Fashion Story (TV Series) | Unknown |