Rob Reiner 1947 - 2025

Actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner has passed away at 78. 

 

The son of entertainment legends Carl and Estelle Reiner, he was born in the Bronx and received his early training at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA. In the late 1960’s he acted in small roles in TV shows such as BATMAN, THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, and THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES. In 1971 he had his breakout role as Mike “meathead” Stivic in the sitcom ALL IN THE FAMILY. 

 

In the 1980’s he made the move to directing, and helmed some of the most iconic films of the last 40 years. His debut came in 1984 with the mockumentary THIS IS SPINAL TAP. Next came the coming-of-age drama STAND BY ME (1986), and the fantasy THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987). 

 

He continued to direct hits through his Castle Rock Entertainment. The romantic comedy WHEN HARRY MET SALLY from 1989 has been regarded as the best of its genre. In 1990 he would direct the thriller MISERY, which earned Kathy Bates an Oscar for Best Actress. In 1992 he helmed the ensemble courtroom thriller A FEW GOOD MEN, which was nominated for Best Picture. Other films included THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT (1995), GHOSTS OF MISSISSIPPI (1996), and THE BUCKET LIST (2007). His final film would be THIS IS SPINAL TAP II from 2025. 

 

He continued to act and appeared in THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN (1987), SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (1993), PRIMARY COLORS (1998), and THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (2013). His career would bring three Directors Guild of America awards and four Golden Globes nominations for Best Director. 

 

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Rob Reiner leaves behind a legacy of films that have stood the test of time. Everyone knows the thundering courtroom sequence of A FEW GOOD MEN, the swordfights from THE PRINCESS BRIDE, the tension of MISERY, and the romance of Harry and Sally. With his perfect yet delicate balance of drama and comedy, he made films that clicked something inside of us and stayed there. With THIS IS SPINAL TAP, he drew the curtain back on the world of rock n’ roll bands, poking fun at them in an honest way that no headbanger could argue. He was the most human director we have seen in the last 40 years, and cinema will miss him.