“You can’t handle the truth.” “I’ll have what she’s having.” Rob Reiner was responsible for bringing some of the most memorable language into our culture’s lexicon.
Nick Reiner, 32, is in custody on $4M bail after being arrested on suspicion for the murder of his parents, actor and director, Rob Reiner, and his mother, Michele Singer Reiner, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department records.
Early Career
Born in the Bronx in 1947 to a show business family, Reiner said his number one inspiration was his father, Carl Reiner, a comedy genius, from the early days of television. In the 1950s, the elder Reiner worked with Sid Caeser, Mel Brooks and Neil Simon. In the 1960s, he created The Dick Van Dyke Show.
Rob started his career in the 1960s and made it big on the groundbreaking TV sitcom All in The Family in the 1970s. Reiner played Michael Stivic, the progressive son-in-law nicknamed “Meathead” by the bigoted but loveable Archie Bunker. They often butted heads about everything from politics to how to put on your shoes. The program was a US remake of British comedy, Till Death Us Do Part, and scored him two Emmy Awards.
Reiner talked about how influential and controversial All in the Family was while speaking to Fresh Air’s Terry Gross in September.
“I was 23” he recalled, “and it was groundbreaking at the time. Nobody had done a show like this. CBS, when they put it on, they had a big disclaimer at the beginning, saying—’The views that are represented in the show don’t represent the views of’—basically, it was a disclaimer saying, ‘I don’t know how this show got on here, but… watch it at your own risk.’
All In The Family, as Reiner pointed out, was the number one TV show in America for five years straight.
Reiner achieved futher success with cult mockumentary, “This Is Spinal Tap” in 1984, which he directed, as well as playing on-screen director Marty DiBergi.
Films That Touched the World
That began a run of classic Hollywood movies directed by Reiner, that touched the hearts of all that watched them, including “Stand By Me” (1986), “The Princess Bride” (1987), “When Harry Met Sally” (1989), “Misery” (1990), and “A Few Good Men” (1992)—the latter of which scored him an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
As an actor, he also appeared in “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Postcards from the Edge,” and “Bullets Over Broadway,” as well as TV shows, including, New Girl and The Bear.
Reiner also co-founded the successful Castle Rock Entertainment production company.
Personal Life
He was married to Laverne & Shirley actress Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981 and is the adoptive father to Marshall’s daughter, actress Tracy Reiner.
He married Michele Singer Reiner, an actress, photographer and producer, in 1989, later recalling that they met during the making of “When Harry Met Sally.” The couple had three children together.
Michele’s Accomplishments
Singer Reiner was a producer and actress, known for “Misery” (1990), “Mixed Nuts” (1994) and “Albert Brooks: Defending My Life” (2023), the latter of which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
Michele owned the Reiner Light photography agency and production house.
Tributes Pour In
Rob Reiner was also an active campaigner for social and political causes, and for Democratic political candidates.
Politicians who paid their tributes include President Barack Obama, who released a statement through his office that said: “Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen. But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people—and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.”
Tributes continued to pour in late Sunday following news of the death of filmmaker Reiner and his wife, Michele.
The estate of Norman Lear—the legendary producer who created All in the Family and cast Reiner in the series, remembered their close relationship, saying:
“Norman often referred to Rob as a son. The world is unmistakably darker tonight.”
Mira Sorvino, who appeared with Reiner in the 2020 TV series Hollywood, said on Instagram, that she was “in absolute shock.”
“Rob Reiner was a legend and a kind, brilliant man, a wonderful actor to work opposite on Hollywood, an iconic director,” she wrote, adding that Michele was “a lovely generous person.”
Frozen actor Josh Gad described Reiner on his Instagram as “one of the greatest directors of our time,” adding, “Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle were two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine. He cared so much for those who had no voices.”
James Woods, who was nominated for an Oscar for starring in Reiner’s 1996 drama, “Ghosts of Mississippi,” wrote on X that he was “devastated by this terrible event.”
Kathy Bates, who starred in Reiner’s film, “Misery,” in 1990, told NBC News that the late director was “a man who made films of every genre to challenge himself as an artist,” and his wife Michele was a “gifted photographer,” Bates added.
The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes posted a photo of two chairs bearing both of their names on the film’s set along with the caption: “No words…”
Monty Python star Eric Idle wrote on X that he had spoken to Reiner “for over an hour” the previous night. The two first met 50 years ago. Idle said Reiner was, “a clever, talented and very thoughtful man.”
Those also paying tribute included author, Stephen King, whose books provided the basis for both “Misery” and “Stand By Me.” He said on X that he was “horrified and saddened” by the news.
“Wonderful friend, political ally, and brilliant filmmaker (including 2 of mine),” he wrote. “Rest in peace, Rob. You always stood by me.”
Director Ron Howard said on X, “He proved to be a superlative filmmaker, a supportive colleague, and at all times a dedicated citizen.”
Sir Elton John, who made an appearance in this year’s “Spinal Tap” sequel, said, “I am in disbelief at today’s news of Rob and Michele. They were two of the most beautiful people I’d ever met, and they deserved better.”
“Spinal Tap: The End Continues,” star Harry Shearer shared, “It’s devastating, knowing the two of them and knowing how the story ended. It’s just horrible, unspeakable. It’s a Greek tragedy come to our lives in the most traumatic and awful way. Rob still had more work to be done, and it’s a loss.”
Rob and Michele, you will be forever remembered. Rest in peace.
Main image: Rob Reiner, Photographer, Jay Godwin, Source
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