Mel Brooks, whose close friendship with the late Carl Reiner dates back to the 1950s, has published a tribute to his former Your show of shows co-star.
“Carl was a giant,” Brooks said on Twitter, “incomparable in his contributions to entertainment. He created comedy gems.”
Brooks recalled meeting Reiner in 1950 about Your show of shows and, Brooks said, “We have been best friends ever since.”
From his experience doing The 2,000-year-old man With Reiner, Brooks recalled, “There was no better straight man in the world.” The bit became a normal thing for the duo, who later created successful albums and a book based on it, earning a Grammy in the process.
Whether writing or acting or being a best friend, “no one could do better” than Reiner, Brooks said.
In later years, according to Vanity Fair, Reiner and Brooks met every afternoon at Reiner’s house, dined, watched Danger and then watch a movie.
Last week, Reiner posted a video on social media and said that among the things he is most proud of in his life is his work with Brooks. He called Brooks “the funniest human being ever.”
On Tuesday, Brooks returned the sentiment to his 7-decade-old friend simply and deeply. “I loved him,” said Brooks. “He will be greatly missed.”
