Rob Reiner, Legendary TV Star and Movie Director, Dead at 78

Rob Reiner, a well-known director and actor, and his wife, Michele, have been found dead at their home, according to reports from TMZ and CNN. Police are investigating the deaths as a possible homicide after a family member discovered their bodies. Sources indicate the couple suffered knife wounds.

Reiner, age 78, recently released his latest film, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, in September.

I first became aware of Rob Reiner as ‘Meathead’ on All in the Family – that role really launched his career! It’s amazing to think he earned two Emmys over those eight seasons. But what many don’t realize is his background – he’s Carl Reiner’s son, and he actually studied film at UCLA. Before All in the Family made him a household name, he was getting small acting gigs and even writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, which was a huge deal back then.

Reiner kept acting throughout his life, with a recent role in Season 4 of The Bear, but he primarily moved into directing after All in the Family. He made his directorial debut with This Is Spinal Tap, a hugely influential mockumentary about a struggling heavy metal band.

I first saw This Is Spinal Tap and was blown away! It was directed by Rob Reiner, who also played the filmmaker following the band. What I didn’t realize then was that he actually created the whole thing with the stars – Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer – who were the band, Spinal Tap! It wasn’t a huge blockbuster when it came out, but now everyone recognizes it as one of the funniest movies ever made. It practically invented the mockumentary style, using a lot of improv on camera in a way that hadn’t really been done before. It was truly groundbreaking!

Three years after that, Reiner directed The Princess Bride, which has become another beloved film from the 1980s and is now enjoyed by families across generations. The movie, written by the famous William Goldman, playfully spoofs traditional fairy tales and showcases fantastic acting by Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, and particularly Mandy Patinkin.

Two years after his previous success, Rob Reiner made another iconic film. When Harry Met Sally…, starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, is still considered one of the best romantic comedies of all time. Even today, people still quote lines and copy scenes from the movie, particularly the famous one at Katz’s Deli. It’s safe to say that scene has sold countless pastrami sandwiches at the deli over the years.

Rob Reiner has directed a variety of successful films, including the Stephen King adaptations Stand By Me and Misery, the romantic comedy The American President, and the critically acclaimed legal drama A Few Good Men, among numerous other projects.

Rob Reiner enjoyed his greatest success in the 1990s, but he’s remained active in the 21st century. In just the last three years, he’s directed three movies, including the documentary Albert Brooks: Defending My Life and Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. The latter film brought back the original cast and crew for another mockumentary about the hilariously loud British band from the first Spinal Tap movie.

The unexpected passing of Reiner is a devastating loss for his loved ones, the entertainment industry, and fans everywhere.

The Best Netflix Movies of 2025

Plankton: The Movie

It’s a bit surprising to see a movie related to SpongeBob on a list of the best Netflix films of the year, especially since it hasn’t been a standout year for original Netflix content. However, Plankton: The Movie – the second in Netflix’s planned series of SpongeBob SquarePants films – is actually quite good. The movie centers on Plankton, SpongeBob’s tiny rival, as he tries to win back his wife, Karen. Karen is a computer who turns into a massive robot and decides to take over the world on her own. While the animation is mostly 3D CGI – a change for fans of the original 2D show – the filmmakers also include scenes with different animation styles, demonstrating their creativity and love for the art form.

Nonnas

Netflix released the feel-good movie Nonnas on Mother’s Day. It stars Vince Vaughn as Joe Scaravella, a man who honors his late mother by opening a restaurant run entirely by Italian grandmothers. These nonnas bring generations of cooking experience and cherished family recipes. While the movie follows typical small business challenges – staff disagreements, inspections, and a tough critic – it’s ultimately enjoyable thanks to its lovable cast and sweet premise. It’s a heartwarming story that celebrates the wisdom and cooking of grandmothers.

KPop Demon Hunters

If you haven’t heard of KPop Demon Hunters, the latest Netflix sensation, you’ve really been missing out! The movie is exactly what it sounds like: a K-pop girl group who are secretly highly trained martial artists. They protect the world from demons by using their singing to power a magical shield called the “Honmoon.” Things get complicated when they face a rival boy band who are actually demons in disguise, determined to break the shield and unleash chaos. The movie features catchy songs, stunning animation, and a plot with enough surprises to keep you engaged. We bet you’re already humming their hit song, “Golden!”

Broke

Wyatt Russell plays a struggling bronc rider facing a tough situation in the Western drama Broke. He’s already dealing with a head injury that could end his career and lacks any other skills to fall back on. Things get even worse when a sudden blizzard traps him, forcing him to fight for survival while injured and stressed. Broke is a story about resilience and refusing to be defined by hardship, and Russell delivers a standout performance – the kind fans have been hoping to see in his recent Marvel projects. Films like Broke remind us why we love compelling, character-driven stories.

Steve

Cillian Murphy consistently delivers strong performances in roles where his character is facing immense challenges. In the film Steve, he plays a dedicated headteacher at a reform school for troubled boys, committed to giving them a second chance despite their difficult behavior. The movie focuses on a single day in Steve’s life, showing him navigating conflicts, supporting students through personal struggles, and ensuring they don’t feel isolated.

The Thursday Murder Club

The idea of a seemingly ordinary elderly person solving a murder is a classic mystery theme, seen in books like Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple series and the recent Matlock reboot. The Netflix movie The Thursday Murder Club takes that idea and imagines a whole group of these amateur detectives – all played by beloved veteran actors. Based on Richard Osman’s popular novel, the film follows a group of retirees who spend their time investigating unsolved cases. It features a wonderful cast, a plot that’s both thrilling and heartwarming, and, thankfully, a mystery that actually gets solved!

Frankenstein

It was no surprise that Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, with Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, would be excellent, but the final result exceeded all expectations. The film is visually stunning, filled with dramatic imagery and breathtaking arctic landscapes, and features two standout performances. Jacob Elordi plays the Creature as a thoughtful, bookish being simply seeking companionship, while Oscar Isaac delivers a compelling performance as the arrogant scientist obsessed with defying a higher power. This Frankenstein is precisely the kind of captivating, classic horror film fans have been hoping for.

Train Dreams

With its thoughtful and legendary quality, beautiful landscapes, and realistic acting, Train Dreams is easily one of the year’s best films. Starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones, it tells the life story of a man working on railroads and as a logger during the building of the Spokane International Railway and beyond. The movie offers a moving look at how the American Northwest changed with industrialization, the impact on people’s lives – both good and bad – and the loss of vast, unspoiled wilderness.

Jay Kelly

The new movie Jay Kelly sounds a bit like a classic, heartwarming story, and director Noah Baumbach embraces that feeling. George Clooney stars as a fading movie star trying to repair relationships with his daughter and loved ones, people he neglected during his rise to fame. The film follows Kelly on a chaotic journey through southern Europe, attempting to reconnect with his daughter while also traveling to a career celebration in Tuscany. Clooney delivers a heartfelt performance, and he’s wonderfully supported by Adam Sandler and Laura Dern. The movie builds to a moving acting montage that’s sure to tug at the heartstrings of Clooney fans.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

I’m so excited Benoit Blanc is back for another mystery! This time, he’s investigating a terrible murder that happened at a church. The cast is incredible – Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, and Kerry Washington are all in it, and I already know they’re going to deliver some amazing performances. Unlike the last movie, Glass Onion, which felt very modern, this one, Wake Up Dead Man, feels like a classic gothic mystery. It’s the kind of story I think Agatha Christie or Arthur Conan Doyle would have loved, and I can’t wait to see how Blanc solves it!

2025-12-15 07:27