JUDY WOODRUFF: And 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, Actor: 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, Actor: 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, Actress:
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.