At a Glance
- Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner shared a nightly routine that became legendary.
- After Reiner’s death in 2020, Brooks kept the ritual alive, honoring his friend.
- The story is told in the HBO documentary Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!.
- Why it matters: It shows how friendship can shape the lives of two comedy icons.
The HBO documentary Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! brings to light the extraordinary bond between two comedy legends, Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner. Before his own passing on December 14, 2023, Rob Reiner spoke about his father’s decades-long friendship with Brooks, revealing how the two men coped with loss and kept a nightly ritual alive.
The Documentary and Its Story
The film, produced by HBO, follows the lives of Brooks and Reiner as they navigate grief and friendship. It includes interviews with Rob Reiner, Sarah Silverman, Jerry Seinfeld, and other comedians who witnessed the duo’s unique bond.
Rob Reiner, who died on December 14, 2023, shared that he had filmed an interview for the documentary before his death. In it, he reflected on how the friendship between his father and Brooks deepened after both lost their spouses.
The Deep Friendship
- Carl Reiner’s wife, Estelle, died in 2008.
- Anne Bancroft, Brooks’ second wife, died in 2005.
- After each loss, the two men would spend nights together at Carl’s house, eating dinner, and watching a different movie.
Sarah Silverman, in the film, describes the nights: “Mel lost his wife, and then Carl lost his wife, and then every night they spent together at Carl’s in his little living room with TV trays, eating dinner and watching a different movie every night.” She added, “I just love that kind of friendship… I want to be able to have that kind of community with comics like they had with each other.”
Jerry Seinfeld echoed the sentiment: “What a great thing that that exists. You get to see what they did, where a lifetime of gigantic achievements leads you. A living room with deli sandwiches, watching Wheel of Fortune. That’s where you get if you succeed in every possible way in life.”
After Carl’s Passing
When Carl Reiner died from a heart attack in 2020, Brooks was by his side in the final moments. Rob Reiner recalled how Brooks found comfort in continuing their nightly routine.
Rob said, “After my father died, he would come to the house, sit there, watch television and have dinner, and he did that for months.” He added that Carl told the family, “Let me know when you’re gonna sell the house.”
He tried to lighten the mood with a joke: “I said, ‘Maybe it would be better to stage the house with you in it… It’ll up the value. You get Mel Brooks sitting here.'”
Mel’s Continued Ritual
Speaking to News Of Los Angeles for the week’s issue, Brooks explained why he kept returning to Carl’s home. “There was such love and comfort in Carl’s house,” he said. “Even after he was gone, I felt that in the walls and the furniture. It was a place of happiness.”
Brooks continues to honor Carl’s memory by staying close to his family. “I still try to have dinner with his daughter Annie once a month,” he says.
Rob noted that Brooks’ devotion spoke volumes about the depth of his bond with Carl. “He was that close to my dad, where he kept, he wanted to be close to him even when my dad was gone.” He added, “I always thought even though Mel was only like four years younger than my dad, I think he looked to my dad as a father figure.”
Legacy and Reflection
The documentary captures not only the humor and success of two comedy giants but also the quiet, enduring friendship that sustained them through loss. It shows how a simple nightly ritual-dinner, TV, and a movie-became a lifeline.
Both episodes of Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! are available to stream on HBO Max, offering viewers a chance to witness the warmth and resilience of a friendship that defied time.
Key Takeaways
- Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner shared a nightly routine that became a cornerstone of their friendship.
- After Reiner’s death in 2020, Brooks honored the ritual, showing deep respect for his friend.
- The HBO documentary provides intimate insights from comedians and family members.
- The story reminds us that friendship can be a powerful source of comfort and continuity.
About the Film
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! is a two-episode series that explores the lives of Brooks and Reiner, focusing on their shared history, personal losses, and the rituals that kept them connected. The series is produced by HBO and is available on HBO Max.
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