AceShowbiz - Rob Reiner has shared poignant details about his father, Carl Reiner, and his close friend Mel Brooks during the final moments of Carl's life. This reflection comes from a documentary recorded before Rob's own passing in December 2023. In the upcoming HBO two-part documentary, Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man, Rob recounts how Mel was present during Carl's last moments.

“Mel was there when my dad died,” Rob stated, recalling the events surrounding his father’s death in 2020. He recounted how Carl collapsed in the bathroom and how Mel quickly sensed something was wrong. “He just collapsed in the bathroom, and Mel came back and realized, ‘Uh oh, something’s wrong,’” Rob explained.

Sadly, Carl passed away shortly thereafter from a heart attack, but during that critical moment, Mel found himself pleading with emergency responders for more time. “I was still hoping that they would put the stuff on him and boom, get him up,” Mel reminisced in the documentary. “I kept yelling at them, ‘Keep it up, keep it up,’ and they thought I was crazy after an hour of yelling.”

Following the loss of their wives—Carl’s partner Estelle Reiner died in 2008 and Mel’s spouse Anne Bancroft passed away in 2005—the two men grew even closer. According to the documentary, they spent nearly every evening together at Carl's home, sharing simple meals and enjoying films. “I just didn’t want him to go,” Mel expressed about his bond with Carl. “I just couldn’t—I wouldn’t accept it. I loved him so much.”

In the months that followed Carl Reiner’s death, Rob noted that Mel Brooks continued this tradition, spending nearly every evening with Rob and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner. Tragically, Michele was killed alongside Rob in their home on December 14, 2023. Their son, Nick Reiner, has since been charged with their murders.

Rob reflected on the significance of Mel's presence, stating, “He was that close to my dad, where he wanted to be close to him even when my dad was gone.” He elaborated that despite the age difference—Mel being only four years younger than Carl—he often looked to Carl as a father figure.

The documentary also features an interview with Carl Reiner, who lavished praise on Mel Brooks and his creative genius. “He hates the word genius… and I use the word genius not lightly,” Carl shared. “I understand the word. Genius has to not only produce something really good, but a volume of it. And Mel, look at the volume he has produced. And if somebody wants to argue, they can, but they won’t win.”

This heartfelt tribute mirrors the outpouring of love and admiration following Rob’s untimely death. Many celebrities have spoken about Rob and Michele’s generosity and kindness, highlighting their lasting impact in Hollywood. As Jane Fonda noted on social media, “Rob and Michele Reiner were wonderful, caring, smart, funny, generous people, always coming up with ideas for how to…”