The Comic is a 1969 comedy film co-written, co-produced and directed by Carl Reiner. It stars Dick Van Dyke as Billy Bright – the original title of the film – and Michele Lee as Bright's love interest, Reiner himself and Mickey Rooney as Bright's friend and work colleagues. Reiner wrote the screenplay with Aaron Ruben, which was inspired by the end of silent film era, and in part, by the life of silent film superstar Buster Keaton.