2025 has been a horrendous year for Hollywood. It began with a series of destructive fires that destroyed parts of Los Angeles, and it’s ending with studio mergers that threaten the future of filmmaking. Many beloved creatives have passed away this year, including David Lynch, Diane Keaton, and Gene Hackman. This week, the unimaginable happened when Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found murdered in their home. Their son, Nick Reiner, is being charged with the crime. It’s not uncommon to live to see our heroes die, but it’s rare to see them go in such a brutal way.
We’ve spent so much of this year dealing with loss, but no one could have foreseen the death of the Reiners. This tragedy solidifies 2025 as one of the worst years in our town’s history, but we must do everything we can to ensure Rob and Michele are remembered for their lives rather than their deaths.
Meathead Memories
As the son of Carl Reiner and Estelle Reiner, Rob Reiner grew up around showbiz. He became a household name for playing Michael “Meathead” Stivic, the son-in-law of Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor) in All in the Family. The sitcom debuted in 1971 and became one of the most popular shows in television history. Throughout its run, Reiner won two Emmys for his role.
The special thing about Reiner’s character is that he always stood up against hate and bigotry. He was the face of counterculture in the 1970s, and consistently pushed back against Archie’s outdated views. The progressive show allowed different generations to connect with each other, and ultimately helped audiences to become more empathetic and understanding. All in the Family became such an instrumental part of American culture that Archie’s chair is now displayed at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.
Reiner started his career as a mouthpiece for a better world, and he never wavered. He spent his life as an activist and, along with Michele, co-founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights. The organization was instrumental in the legalization of same-sex marriage.
Even in his 70s, Reiner never stopped fighting for what he believed in. He was seen on picket lines, at protests, and wasn’t afraid to speak out against those abusing power. He’s someone everyone in the business should look up to, not only as an artist, but as a man. The Reiners used their position to try to make this world a better place, which won’t be forgotten.
Directing Masterpieces
Reiner never stopped acting after the nine seasons of All in the Family came to an end. He appeared in many iconic films, ranging from Sleepless in Seattle to The Wolf of Wall Street. However, as Reiner’s career blossomed, fans began to realize his true talents lay with directing.
Reiner’s feature directorial debut was This Is Spinal Tap in 1984. The comedy is still considered to be one of the best mockumentaries ever made. One of Reiner’s final projects was helming a sequel, which was released earlier this year. He went on to have what many consider to be the greatest run by a director. He made Stand by Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, and A Few Good Men between 1986 and 1992. Somehow, throughout his career, he was only ever nominated for one Academy Award when A Few Good Men received a Best Picture nod.
Every aforementioned film is iconic and beloved. Stand by Me is one of the greatest coming-of-age films, When Harry Met Sally is arguably the best rom-com ever made, and The Princess Bride is a cherished masterpiece. You would be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t been impacted by Reiner’s work. His films spoke to so many people, and they will live on for generations to come.
Remembering Michele
Rob Reiner was unediably prolific, but fans might not know much about his wife of over 35 years. Singer was a photographer who worked on When Harry Met Sally, which is how she met her future husband. In addition to her political activism, she also started producing in the 2010s. She was nominated for an Emmy for Albert Brooks: Defending My Life in 2023. Her credits also included Shock and Awe, God & Country, and Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.
The Reiners had three children together in addition to Rob’s daughter from his previous marriage to Penny Marshall. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.
Rob Reiner brought so much joy to the world through his art. From his time on All in the Family to directing some of the best films ever made, we were beyond lucky to have him on our screens for over 50 years. He impacted us, our parents, our grandparents, and it’s safe to assume his films will keep bringing people joy for years to come. We should continue to honor him by consuming his works, but also by continuing to stand up for what we believe in. Live your life well enough to be loved by the best of us and hated by the worst of us.
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