Other meanings of Rob Reiner
Film & Television
Rob Reiner (born March 6, 1947) is an American actor, director, screenwriter, and producer. He first gained fame as Michael "Meathead" Stivic on the television sitcom All in the Family (1971–1979), then became one of Hollywood's most successful directors with films such as This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, and When Harry Met Sally....
Rob Reiner was born in The Bronx, New York City, to Estelle (née Lebowitz) and Carl Reiner, a comedian, actor, and writer. He grew up in a Jewish household and attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he studied theater. His early acting included roles in television and improvisational comedy, but his breakthrough came in 1971 when he was cast as Michael "Meathead" Stivic, the liberal son-in-law of Archie Bunker, in All in the Family. The role earned him two Emmy Awards and made him a household name. He left the series in 1978 to pursue film directing, though he later returned for guest appearances.
Reiner's directorial debut was This Is Spinal Tap (1984), a mockumentary that became a cult classic and is credited with popularizing the genre. He followed with a string of successful films, including The Sure Thing (1985), Stand by Me (1986), The Princess Bride (1987), When Harry Met Sally... (1989), Misery (1990), and A Few Good Men (1992). His work often blends humor with heartfelt drama, and he has been praised for his ability to draw strong performances from actors. He also directed Rumor Has It (2005) and The Bucket List (2007), among others.
Reiner has been an outspoken political activist, particularly on issues such as early childhood education and gun control. He co-founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which supported the legal challenge to California's Proposition 8. He also served as a commissioner on the California State Board of Education. In the 2000s and 2010s, he directed films like Flipped (2010) and LBJ (2016), and he returned to acting in projects such as The Wolf of Wall Street (2013). He has also been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, which has made him a polarizing figure in some circles.
Beyond his mainstream successes, Reiner has several lesser-known credits. He voiced the character of the father in the animated film The Simpsons Movie (2007) and appeared in the documentary For the Love of Movies (2009). He also directed the television film The Pentagon Papers (2003), which won a Peabody Award. Reiner is an accomplished musician and played guitar on the soundtrack of This Is Spinal Tap. He has also been a producer on Broadway, including the Tony-winning play The Tale of the Allergist's Wife (2000). His production company, Castle Rock Entertainment, was named after the fictional town in Stephen King's novel The Dead Zone.
Rob Reiner's career spans over five decades, and he remains an influential figure in American entertainment and politics.
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