Carl Reiner to Deliver
Commencement Address  

Carl Reiner

      Carl Reiner emanates good-natured humor during an interview and gives the impression he's always watching for a way to generate a smile. "When you have the comic bent the whole world is your straight line," Reiner says. "You can't be or see anything without being aware of the potential to make things funny."
      Reiner says all people love to laugh, most like to get a laugh and some are actually good at it. He recognized his own talent for humor when he was young. While hanging out with friends he was the one who could deliver the punchline. "Once you get your first laugh you realize it's a wonderful way to socialize with people." Reiner says.
      Still, he could have easily missed his calling. When Reiner was just 15 years old and attending high school in the Bronx, he worked as a shipping clerk at what he calls a very cheap dress factory. He notes that "at $1.37 a dress you have to ship a lot of dresses to make any money!" When he was sixteen he moved on to a job as a machinists helper in the millinery trade and could have ended up staying with that type of work. When his brother told him about an ad for a government sponsored acting course, Reiner signed up and his life took a dramatic turn.
      He enrolled in drama school for eight months and landed a part as a second tenor in an updated version of The Merry Widow. He then served in the Air Force during World War II, first as a radio operator, then as a teletype operator and eventually as a comedian and actor with Maurice Evans' Special Services Entertainment Unit. He toured the Pacific for eighteen months in G.I. revues.
      Following his honorable discharge in 1946, Reiner won the leading role in the national company of Call Me Mister, then performed in Broadway Musicals for the next three years. When Reiner joined Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca on Your Show of Shows his career took off and by 1956 he received his first Emmy award for acting. Emmys for writing and outstanding achievement in comedy and humor followed. Just last year, he won a Grammy Award for a comedy album he created with Mel Brooks called The 2000 Year Old Man In The Year 2000.
      This man of quick quips and gentle humor has a quiet pride in the work he's done, but says his greatest accomplishment has nothing to do with his career. "The only thing that really matters is what you send out in the world. My wife and I, who have been married for 55 years, have raised three kids we're proud of. We love our kids. They're very nice, good people. You can send out something toxic into the world or you can send out something good. Our kids are wonderful."
      Reiner is committed to helping children and improving their opportunities in life. For 27 years he has held the Carl Reiner Pro/Am Celebrity Tennis and Golf Tournament to help children with learning disabilities. He also serves as master of ceremonies for many charities including Big Brothers. His son, Rob Reiner, a well known actor, writer, director and producer has taken a year off from acting to serve as Commissioner for Early Child Development in California. Carl Reiner is on the distinguished speaker series promoting his son's program and the importance of caring for and loving the most vulnerable among us.
      Reiner could easily rest on his life's accomplishments, but he continues to crank out the fun directing movies, acting, and writing books. For New England Tech graduates heading to new careers and challenges he offers congratulations, not advice. "People who have gone back to school really don't need advice," he says. "They know they're on a new, uncharted adventure and that you're never too old to follow your dream, follow you're heart. They're the ones who can give advice."
      Carl Reiner will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters at new England Institute of Technology's 59th commencement ceremony. Graduation exercises will begin at 11 a.m. at Meehan Auditorium located on the campus of Brown University on Providence's East Side.