One of the biggest names in comedy who helped define the genre in America with shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show, Carl Reiner, is dead at 98.
Born on March 20, 1922 to Jewish immigrants from Austria and Romania, Reiner grew up in the Crotona neighborhood of The Bronx. He attended nearby PS 57 before heading to Evander Childs for High School.
It was there in high school that he was bitten by the acting bug as recounted to Arlene Alda in her book, ‘Just Kids from The Bronx’.
Despite having worked with huge names in Hollywood like Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks, and Neil Simon since the 1950s, it wasn’t until 1961 that he got his big break when his show, The Dick Van Dyke Show finally aired.
Throughout the decades he worked with some the biggest names in comedy from Steve Martin to Amy Poelher, Lily Tomlin and he even kept working in his later years including Parks and Recreation and voicing a character from Bob’s Burgers.
His 98 years were that of a legend and like many famous Bronxites, he changed the world leaving an indelible mark on it.
Rest in Peace, Carl.
