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Rob Reiner, Mel Brooks, Dick Van Dyke, and More Stars Pay Tribute to Carl Reiner: 'His Talent Will Live On for a Long Time'

The comedy legend passed away Monday at the age of 98

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Kelly Connolly

Hollywood is paying tribute to comedy legend Carl Reiner, who died Monday at the age of 98. Reiner, a nine-time Emmy winner who shaped TV comedy when he created The Dick Van Dyke Show, was a titan of show business. He was a regular collaborator with longtime friend Mel Brooks, an actor in films like the Ocean's series, and a director of movies like The Jerk and Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid. His passing has prompted memorials on social media from those who knew and loved him, including his son, director Rob Reiner, as well as other stars who were inspired by his work.

"Last night my dad passed away. As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light," Rob tweeted on Tuesday.

Brooks addressed Reiner's passing in a statement on Twitter. "Carl was a giant, unmatched in his contributions to entertainment," he wrote. "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. 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."

Dick Van Dyke, star of The Dick Van Dyke Show and Reiner's frequent collaborator, shared his own message on Twitter, writing, "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."

Reiner's friend Alan Alda shared a photo of himself with Reiner and Mel Brooks, writing, "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." 

Legendary producer Norman Lear wrote, "I had more laughs with this glorious man than anyone is entitled to in a dozen lifetimes. I couldn't love and miss you more, Carl."

Ed Asner wrote of Reiner, "There will forever only be one of him. May his memory be forever blessed. He leaves us with so much laughter." Bernadette Peters, who starred in The Jerk, tweeted, "We shall miss you very much."

Reiner's comic genius was on display in a letter shared by Jon Cryer, written by Reiner when Cryer subbed in for him as host of the Directors Guild Awards in 2009. The letter reads, "Thank you for filling in for me tonight. I wish with all my heart that you fail, or if you don't, that you are no more than adequate. I don't want to have to compete with you for this non-paying job."

"Working with, and getting to know Carl Reiner were two of the great thrills of my career," Cryer tweeted. "A lovely man who lived a wonderful life and brought joy to literally millions."

See more tributes to Reiner below from stars like Bette Midler, Ron Howard, Stephen Colbert, Al Roker, George Takei, William Shatner, and more.