The sad news coming out of Beverly Hills is that one of the all-time comedy greats, Carl Reiner, has passed away from natural causes. He was 98.
Along with the likes of Mel Brooks, Woody Allen and Neil Simon, Reiner contributed to a number of shows starring Sid Caesar that laid the foundations for Saturday Night Live and the late night talk shows, which have become a cornerstone of American television.
Father of Rob who's made his own enormous contribution to Stateside comedy, Reiner's writing and acting CV also included The Cleveland Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Man With Two Brains, The Jerk, Toy Story 4, Family Guy, Bob's Burgers, American Dad, Hot In Cleveland, Ocean's Eleven through Thirteen and countless other small and big screen hits.
Also renowned for his activism and opposition to Donald Trump, he recently joined daughter Annie Reiner and old pal Mel Brooks in donning Black Lives Matter t-shirts.
David Simon speaks for many when he says: "Already, I am upset to be living in a world without Carl Reiner." Here's a small selection of the other things that are being said about him this afternoon:

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. pic.twitter.com/QWyNOYILhW

— Alan Alda (@alanalda) June 30, 2020

This is Very sad news 🙏🏿✊🏿Rest In Peace and power Carl Reiner gratitude for all the laughter you have given us through the years.

— ✌🏼rosanna arquette (@RoArquette) June 30, 2020

Condolences to the family of Carl Reiner. From the writers room of Sid Caesar to recreating those times for the Dick Van Dyke show, Carl was a master at his craft. I knew him only peripherally but it was a pleasure to have known him.😞

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) June 30, 2020

The brilliant and hilarious Carl Reiner hosted the Director’s Guild awards for decades before his health forced him to take the night off.

They asked me to sub in for him. Here’s the letter he sent me:#RIPCarlReiner https://t.co/dkvtzXtKfA pic.twitter.com/eUy2E9b0B0

— Jon Cryer (@MrJonCryer) June 30, 2020

A writer, producer, director and actor whose career spanned 7 decades, Carl Reiner was as much responsible for the creation of American prime time TV programming as any single individual. https://t.co/EjfMvKTZDn

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) June 30, 2020

MY HEROS CARL REINER ANNIE REINER & MEL BROOKS pic.twitter.com/yimJbwoqCU

— George Shapiro (@georgeshapiro) June 28, 2020

What a talent! RIPhttps://t.co/PKlbNtKq6Q

— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) June 30, 2020

RIP, Carl Reiner. An absolute giant of 20th century comedy. Part of Sid Caesar's hall of fame writers room, created The Dick Van Dyke Show, directed The Jerk, and was an all-time straight man with best friend Mel Brooks: https://t.co/SZ1nb80Ok4

— Alan Sepinwall (@sepinwall) June 30, 2020

Carl Reiner: "My personal goal will be to stick around until 2020 and vote to make sure we have a decent, moral, law-abiding citizen in Washington who will make us all proud again to live in America.”

We'll win this one for you, Carl! Rest in power! And thanks for the laughs! pic.twitter.com/39JSqKQ85H

— Russell Drew (@RussOnPolitics) June 30, 2020