The Secrets to Vitality as You Age are Featured in “If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast”

What do Dick Van Dyke, legendary comic author Stan Lee, and Mel Brooks have in common? They are all thriving well into their 90s! HBO Documentary Films is taking a look at aging with their latest film, “If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast.” The title was inspired by comedy legend Carl Reiner’s philosophy on life. “Every morning before having breakfast, I pick up my newspaper, get the obituary section, and see if I’m listed – if I’m not, I’ll have my breakfast.”

Reiner, together with his nephew – documentary producer George Shapiro – ventured out to find the secret as to why some people live and thrive. “Was it luck, genes, modern medicine, or are we doing something right?” asks Reiner. Reiner hosts the documentary as they track down both celebs and others who reveal that the later years of life can be the most rewarding. The film’s opening title song, “The Best Is Yet to Come,” is performed by Tony Bennett, 90, and the original song, “Just Getting Started,” is co-written and performed by Alan Bergman, 90.

The film features segments with familiar names like Betty White, Norman Lear and Kirk Douglas. In addition, we get to take a look at Harriette Thompson, 93, the oldest woman to run and finish a marathon; Tao Porchon-Lynch, a 98-year-old yoga teacher who marched with Gandhi and recently took up tango; and Jim “Pee Wee” Martin, 95, who fought on D-Day and still parachutes! The full-length documentary film premieres on HBO on Sunday, June 5th. Check it out here!