Rob Reiner could have first received over audiences as “Meathead” on All within the Household, however it was behind the digicam the place he really made historical past. By the Eighties, Reiner had pivoted totally into directing — and what adopted was probably the most exceptional runs in fashionable Hollywood.
Reiner, who died on December 14 at age 78 alongside his spouse, Michele, directed movies that spanned genres with uncommon ease, shifting from comedy to romance to psychological thriller to courtroom drama with out lacking a beat. His versatility, coronary heart, and sharp storytelling cemented him as one of many defining filmmakers of his period.
Beneath are the standout films that formed his legacy.
‘This Is Spinal Faucet’ (1984)
377671 01: Members of “Spinal Faucet,” from left, David St. Hubbins, Derek Smalls, and Nigel Tufnel pose for photographers on the premiere of “That is Spinal Faucet,” September 5, 2000 on the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, CA. (Photograph by Chris Weeks/Liaison)
Reiner made his directorial debut with the mockumentary This Is Spinal Faucet, starring Christopher Visitor, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer as a fictional rock band — with Reiner himself showing as documentarian Marty Di Bergi. Whereas the movie wasn’t a field workplace juggernaut at first, it turned a cult basic and was added to the Nationwide Movie Registry in 2002.
Reiner reunited with the forged one remaining time for Spinal Faucet II: The Finish Continues in 2025.
“We by no means supposed to do a sequel,” he instructed Folks in September. “Folks over time have come as much as us and say, ‘Yeah, you are able to do a sequel.’ We mentioned, ‘No — we did it. It’s performed. We’ve performed it. Finally, the Library of Congress places it within the Nationwide Movie Registry, and ‘This goes to 11,’ is within the Oxford Dictionary.”
‘Stand by Me’ (1986)
Based mostly on Stephen King’s novella The Physique, Stand by Me adopted 4 boys on a journey that turned one among cinema’s most beloved coming-of-age tales. The movie earned a number of awards nominations and stays a fan favourite many years later.
“I felt extraordinarily protected, and cherished and validated by Rob Reiner, each day on set,” Wil Wheaton instructed Folks. “Regardless that we have been little youngsters, Rob pointed us in the correct course.”
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
A fantasy, romance, and comedy unexpectedly, The Princess Bride turned one among Reiner’s most enduring movies. Although modestly profitable at launch, it grew right into a cultural touchstone and was added to the Nationwide Movie Registry in 2016.
‘When Harry Met Sally…’ (1989)
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 11: Rob Reiner and Billy Crystal arrive on the 2019 TCM Basic Movie Competition Opening Evening Gala And thirtieth Anniversary Screening Of “When Harry Met Sally” – Arrivals at TCL Chinese language Theatre on April 11, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photograph by Joe Scarnici/Getty Photographs)
Reiner and author Nora Ephron struck rom-com gold with When Harry Met Sally…, starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. Reiner later admitted casting his shut pal Crystal made him nervous.
“Everytime you do one thing this private and also you’re finest buddies, if it doesn’t work, it’s like, ‘Oy!’” he instructed Folks. “Lastly I mentioned, ‘Aw, f*** it; he’s good!’”
‘A Few Good Males’ (1992)
With a script by Aaron Sorkin and a powerhouse forged led by Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, A Few Good Males turned one among Reiner’s greatest hits.
“Rob is attention-grabbing,” Cruise instructed The New York Instances. “He loves actors. He loves what he’s doing.”
‘Distress’ (1990)
US actress Kathy Bates holds the Oscar she received for her function in “Distress” on the 63rd Annual Academy Award ceremony on March 25, 1991. AFP PHOTO SCOTT FLYNN (Photograph by SCOTT FLYNN / AFP) (Photograph by SCOTT FLYNN/AFP through Getty Photographs)
One other Stephen King adaptation, Distress starred James Caan and Kathy Bates, whose efficiency earned her an Academy Award. The tense thriller proved Reiner might grasp horror simply as deftly as comedy.
‘The American President’ (1995)
Reiner reunited with Sorkin for this romantic political drama starring Michael Douglas and Annette Bening. The movie earned a number of Golden Globe nominations and laid the groundwork for The West Wing.
