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Carl Reiner, who helped create The Dick Van Dyke Show and acted in films like Ocean’s Eleven, has died aged 98.
The prolific writer, comedian, director and actor also directed several films including Steve Martin vehicles The Jerk (1979) and All of Me (1984).
He was in 2001’s Ocean’s Eleven and its two sequels as conman Saul Bloom, and had a double act with Mel Brooks.
He died of natural causes on Monday at his home in Beverly Hills, his assistant Judy Nagy told Variety.
Reiner also acted in films such as The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming (1966).
He was a close friend of fellow sketchwriter Brooks, and the pair found a new audience with their 2000 Year Old Man routines, which spawned books and an animated TV special.
In his 90s, virtually every day in Beverly Hills, Reiner met with Brooks, after they both lost their wives, and they would sit on Reiner’s sofa watching movies, telling jokes and recalling a lifetime of comedy.
Reiner started acting in the US army during World War Two. In the 1950s, fellow writers on Your Show of Shows included Brooks and Neil Simon, creating a combination of silliness and satire.
He leaves three children, artist Annie, artist Lucas and actor and director Rob Reiner – behind the likes of This is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, Stand By Me, A Few Good Men and When Harry Met Sally.
Tributes have been paid by stars including William Shatner and Rosanna Arquette.
