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Carl Reiner Biography

Birth Name:Carl Reiner

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Director, Writer, Producer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Won the Mark Twain prize for American humor and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame
  • Father to actor/filmmaker Rob Reiner, artist Lucas Reiner and playwright Annie Reiner
  • Worked in the millinery trade while participating in local theater productions, then served during World War II as a radio operator, French translator and member of an entertainment unit that toured the Pacific
  • Quote: "[on writing comedy] "You have to imagine yourself as not somebody very special but somebody very ordinary․ If you imagine yourself as somebody really normal and if it makes you laugh, it's going to make everybody laugh․""
  • Quote: "If you start thinking about what's funny, you won't be funny, actually․ It's like walking․ How do you walk? If you start thinking about it, you'll trip․"
  • Made his mark on American comedy as an actor, comedian, director, producer and writer
  • Most often recognized by younger audiences for his role in the "Ocean's Eleven" film franchise
  • Co-wrote and directed a number of early films for actor Steve Martin
  • Late wife, actress and singer Estelle Lebost, delivered the "I'll have what she's having" punch line from 1989's "When Harry Met Sally," which was directed by son Rob
  • Has published a number of books, including the memoir "I Remember Me․"
  • Is the only person to have appeared on "The Tonight Show" with each of its first five hosts

Awards

  • 1954Primetime Emmy-Best Series Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1956Primetime Emmy-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1957Primetime Emmy-Best Supporting Performance by an Actor: winner
  • 1958Primetime Emmy-Best Continuing Supporting Performance by an Actor in a Dramatic or Comedy Series: winner
  • 1962Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy: winner
  • 1963Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Humor: winner
  • 1963Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy: winner
  • 1963WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety, Any Length: nominated
  • 1964Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy or Variety: winner
  • 1964Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Comedy: winner
  • 1964WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety, Any Length: nominated
  • 1964WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Comedy: nominated
  • 1965Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Program Achievements in Entertainment: winner
  • 1965Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Achievements in Entertainment - Writers: nominated
  • 1966Primetime Emmy-Special Classification of Individual Achievements: nominated
  • 1966Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: winner
  • 1978Saturn Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 1995Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2002MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Team: nominated
  • 2002PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2002Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2003DVDX Award-Best Audio Commentary (New for DVD): nominated
  • 2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Program: nominated
  • 2007Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie: Chemistry: nominated
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Narrator: nominated