Who was Rob Reiner? Know all about the famed director behind ‘The Bucket List’ and ‘All in the Family’

Famous director Rob Reiner, best known for his work in ‘All in the Family’, ‘When Harry Met Sally’, ‘The Princess Bride’, and ‘The Sure Thing’, passed away on December 14, along with his wife, in a homicide case. He had been active in the industry since 1966 and has left behind a long list of iconic movies as well as his social work, as his legacy.

About Rob Reiner

Born in the Bronx, New York, on March 6, 1947, Reiner had a childhood heavily influenced by cinema and music. He was born to famed singer and actress Estelle Reiner and actor Carl Reiner, both of whom were well-celebrated names in their time. After studying at the UCLA Film School, Reiner began his career by picking up small roles in the 1960s. He also worked as a trainee at a famed production company at the time as well.




His first credited work as an actor was in 1967, when he starred in the film ‘Enter Laughing.’ He also starred in a small side role in the show ‘That Girl’ in 1966 as well. Later on, Reiner slowly ventured into writing, directing, and producing TV shows as well as big-budget films. His rise to success came with the hit TV sitcom ‘All in the Family’, where he worked as a TV writer as well as the recurring role of Mike "Meathead" Stivic.

In 1987, he started his own production company and eventually worked on a lot of hit films that went on to get nominated for big awards, including the Oscars. Some of these films include ‘When Harry Met Sally’, ‘Misery’, and ‘A Few Good Men.’

Rob Reiner on succeeding independently and away from his father’s image

Over the years, Reiner had expressed time and time again that he felt as if he had to beat his father, Carl Reiner’s success, who has been credited as the creator of ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show.’ In 2016, while featuring on ‘The Howard Stern Show’, he had stated, “I didn’t take any money from him (his father). I didn’t take any advice. … I knew I was going to get that [nepotism] stuff. … But I knew in my head what I had done.”

The director and his work as an activist

Beyond his career as an actor, director, writer, and producer, Reiner was well active in the political and social reform field as well. He has been credited as co-founding the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which is an official group that acted as an advisory for same-sex marriage.

He regularly attended rallies and other social reform events and even advocated social change. He also stood up and spoke out against topics and issues of society, including domestic violence and tobacco use.

Over the years, he has had many cameo roles in various hit shows, which include ‘The Simpsons’, ‘Hannah Montana’, as well as in films such as ‘The First Wives Club’, and ‘Bullets Over Broadway.’



Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here