Rob Reiner and Albert Brooks Reunite After Six Decades

Sixty years ago, Rob Reiner and Albert Brooks crossed paths at Beverly Hills High School in a drama class. Recently, they had the chance to return to their alma mater. "This is the first time both of us have been back since we graduated," shared Reiner.

"Over a certain age, it's against the law," added Brooks, who humorously reflected on memory and reunions: "When you have to confront the actual people you were with [back then] – 'Oh my God, who are you? You're my grandmother?' 'No, you were in love with me.' Oh my God!"

"You liked older women," Reiner explained.

Although they hadn't returned to their high school until now, Reiner and Brooks have remained close friends for six decades. Reiner's career has flourished, transitioning from his role as Meathead in Norman Lear's "All in the Family" to becoming a highly-regarded movie director, known for films such as "A Few Good Men," "Misery," and "When Harry Met Sally." Rob's father, the legendary comedian and writer Carl Reiner, had a keen eye for humor and during an appearance on "The Tonight Show" in 1963, he singled out his son's teenage friend, 16-year-old Albert Einstein (Brooks' birth name), as the funniest person he knew.

Brooks' Journey to Comedy Stardom

Brooks changed his name at the start of his career because of the other guy named Albert Einstein. His parents, Harry Einstein, a famous radio comic known, and his wife, Thelma, never owned up to why they burdened their son with the name of the world's most famous physicist: "I asked. Believe me, I asked," he said. "And all I got was, 'Ask your dad.' 'Ask your mom.' Nobody would tell me."

Albert Brooks went on to become the funniest comedian of his generation, relativity speaking. Reiner said, "He can't split the atom, but he can create energy through laughter."

Brooks' originality was on display as soon as he found an audience, mostly on variety shows in the late 1960s and '70s. Rather than tell jokes, he performed extended bits and created characters, like the world's least-talented ventriloquist:

Albert Brooks on "The Flip Wilson Show" in 1972:

Brooks said, "It was like an elixir. I mean, it could make dead people laugh. It made everyone laugh. So, I kept getting jobs because of it."

As Brooks kept working, Reiner kept pestering with a request: let me make a movie about your life.

Reiner's documentary, "Albert Brooks: Defending My Life," is currently streaming on Max. Why now? "Because he wouldn't do it when I wanted to do it!" Reiner said.

Albert Brooks: More Than Just a Fish

Albert Brooks, known for his voice role as Marlin in "Finding Nemo," wants people to recognize him for more than just his fish character. "There's a lot of young people who, if they know me at all, they know me as a fish. You just would like to say, 'You know, there's more to it.' And you can't [say it] yourself on a street corner, 'cause that's mental illness: 'Well, wait a minute, I'm not just a fish. Do you know that in 1975 –' 'Look, I gotta, my car is here,'" Brooks shared.

Helping him out is Carl Reiner, who is aware of Brooks' brilliance and wants others to know it too. "I knew all the things that Albert had done. I knew how brilliant he was. I wanted them to know," Reiner added.

Brooks has had a diverse career, starting with a piece he wrote for Esquire Magazine in 1971 about the fictional Albert Brooks Famous School for Comedians. Despite it being a joke, Brooks received 2,000 applicants. "I had a two-page 'talent test,' the silliest test you ever saw," Brooks recalled.

Following this, Brooks created a short film about the non-existent school, which became a pioneering example of the mockumentary genre.

Despite turning down the opportunity to be the permanent host of "Saturday Night Live" in 1974, Brooks made short films for the show's first season. This led to his true calling as a writer, director, and actor in some of the funniest and most deliberately uncomfortable movies of their time, including "Real Life," "Modern Romance," "Lost in America," "Defending Your Life," and the semi-autobiographical "Mother" which co-starred Debbie Reynolds.

In addition to his career as an actor, he is also known for his work in the film "Broadcast News." He has been described as a combination of the Marx Brothers and Richard Pryor, which he finds flattering.

Recently, he and his old friend were reunited at their high school, where they shared laughs and memories.

During their visit, his friend serenaded the school with the hymn, while Brooks called out for help.

To watch a trailer for his latest project, "Albert Brooks: Defending My Life," click on the video player below:

For more information:

• "Albert Brooks: Defending My Life" is available on HBO and streaming on Max
• Thanks to Beverly Hills High School for their hospitality

Story produced by Gabriel Falcon. Editor: George Pozderec.