Carl Reiner was born on March 20, 1922, in the Bronx, New York. Before he became a well-known celebrity, Reiner was an active soldier with the U.S. Army during World War II. Early in his career, he appeared in several Broadway musicals, and also appeared in the sketch comedy show Your Show of Shows, which owed its success in part to the talented writers Mel Brooks and Neil Simon. He also worked on Sid Caesar’s follow up effort, Caesar’s hour, alongside many talented actors and writers, including Woody Allen.

In 1961, Carl made what is perhaps his best known contribution to the world of television when he created The Dick Van Dyke Show. Starring Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore, the show stayed on the air for five successful seasons. Reiner himself occasionally appeared on screen as Alan Brady, where he portrayed the brother-in-law of actor Richard Deacon. Reiner’s other producing efforts include Enter Laughing, featuring Shelley Winters and Jack Gilford; and The Comic, featuring Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, and Cornel Wilde. None of his other producing and writing efforts resulted in the same popularity and publicity for Reiner as The Dick Van Dyke Show, however, which earned him three Emmy’s.

Aside from his producing and directing efforts, Reiner has also made a substantial number of on-screen appearances in both film and television. His television appearances include those in Head of the Family, with Barbara Britton and Gary Morgan; an appearance in Frasier, the witty sitcom featuring Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce; appearances in Mad About You, with Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser; and a regular spot on the short lived 2004 comedy series Father of the Pride, with John Goodman, Cheryl Hines, and David Herman.

Reiner has also been active on the big screen as well, boasting countless appearances in Hollywood flicks throughout the years. His early film appearances include those in The Gazebo, an Oscar nominated film that also starred Glenn Ford and Debbie Reynolds; The Art of Love, with James Garner and Angie Dickinson; Generation, with David Janssen, and Kim Darby; and the 2000 flick Globehunters, starring Brian Beacock.

Over the last decade, Carl’s film appearances have not been as frequent. However, he did manage to appear in all of the Ocean’s films. The highly popular films feature a powerhouse of Hollywood talent, boasting names like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta Jones, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, and Al Pacino in its list of cast members.

Carl has been married to his first and only wife Estelle since 1943. During their long and happy marriage, the couple has had three children. Two of Carl’s sons, Lucas Reiner and Rob Reiner, have followed in their father’s footsteps to become actors, writers, directors, and producers.

YUDDY