Appreciation: Rob Reiner’s humanity was a signature of his TV work, in front of and behind the camera

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Rob Reiner started his career as an actor but always aspired to be a director. He made the transition with his first film, “This Is Spinal Tap” (1984), where he also appeared as an actor. Initially, Reiner didn’t plan to be in front of the camera, but he realized it would be helpful to audiences to see a familiar face – his character, Michael “Meathead” Stivic, from eight seasons of “All in the Family”, where he played Archie Bunker’s liberal son-in-law.

I first noticed Rob Reiner when I was flipping through channels and landed on “The Partridge Family” in 1971. He played this surprisingly sweet biker dude, all tough looking with tattoos, but he was a poet and totally fell for Susan Dey’s character! It was such a funny, unexpected role. Looking back, it really hinted at the heart and kindness that would show up in everything he did – his writing, directing, and acting. Apparently, he started in comedy pretty young, writing for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” with Steve Martin, which is amazing! Before that, like a lot of actors starting out, he did a bunch of guest spots on shows like “That Girl,” “Gomer Pyle, USMC,” “Batman,” and even “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Room 222.” But that “Partridge Family” role always stuck with me as a sign of the genuinely good person he seemed to be, and the kind of warmth he’d bring to all his future work.

As a huge fan of classic TV, I always found Rob Reiner’s performance on “All in the Family” really fascinating. He played Mike Stivic as this fairly grounded, almost everyman character – always in jeans and a work shirt, and with that slightly sad mustache. He was often the one who’d react to Archie Bunker’s outrageousness, setting up those incredible debates the show was known for. Occasionally, he’d get a really funny scene, like when Gloria went into labor during dinner and he completely panicked – classic sitcom stuff! But what struck me was that, beyond the laughs, “All in the Family” was a real drama. Mike and Gloria dealt with very relatable issues – money troubles, living with her parents, the joys and struggles of becoming parents, and a relationship that had its ups and downs, ultimately ending in divorce. He wasn’t a wacky, over-the-top comedic character like Archie or Edith, or even Gloria, but his role was so crucial to the story that he won two Emmys for it, and rightfully so.

Reiner brought a commanding presence to his roles after his time on “All in the Family.” He could be powerfully expressive – something Norman Lear’s shows often embraced – even when speaking softly. He had a physically imposing stature, which grew over time, and starting with his role as Marty DiBergi in “This is Spinal Tap,” he developed a persona of a kind, wise, and gentle figure. In Ryan Murphy’s 2020 series “Hollywood,” his character, a studio executive, wasn’t the typical hot-tempered boss. Instead, he was a man who enjoyed life’s pleasures. Famously, straight after waking from a coma following a heart attack, he orders a lavish meal – brisket, cheesy potatoes, and lemon meringue pie – defying his doctor. He’s clearly in charge, but in a touching and unusual scene, he willingly shares power with his wife (Patti LuPone), who had been successfully running the studio during his illness.

After eight seasons playing Michael Stivic on “All in the Family,” Rob Reiner left the show in 1978 to pursue other projects. He’d begun testing the waters in 1976 with a guest appearance on “The Rockford Files,” playing a self-absorbed, minor football player. That summer, he co-created “Free Country” with Phil Mishkin, a short-lived series about a Lithuanian immigrant family in the early 1900s. Also in 1978, ABC aired the TV movie “More Than Friends,” co-written by Reiner and Mishkin and starring Reiner alongside his then-wife, Penny Marshall. Directed by James Burrows – who would later direct hits like “Taxi,” “Cheers,” and “3rd Rock From the Sun” – “More Than Friends” can be seen as a precursor to Reiner’s famous film “When Harry Met Sally…,” as it follows a relationship that develops over time, hinting at a future connection.

Before finding fame with Spinal Tap, Michael McKean made an appearance as a protest singer. In 1982, Rob Reiner starred in the TV movie “Million Dollar Infield” – a story about baseball, family, and therapy – alongside future Spinal Tap bandmates Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer. The year before, Reiner’s directorial debut, the short film “Tommy Rispoli: A Man and His Music,” which aired on the now-defunct On TV subscription service, was co-written and starred Bruno Kirby. Kirby’s character from that film—a limo driver who loved Frank Sinatra and drove Reiner (playing himself)—later inspired a character in “This Is Spinal Tap,” but in that film, he’s the focus of a romantic storyline reminiscent of Reiner’s own life.

Following the success of “Spinal Tap,” Rob Reiner continued to thrive as a director. He also kept acting, appearing in films like “Sleepless in Seattle,” “Primary Colors,” “Bullets Over Broadway,” and “The Wolf of Wall Street,” as well as his own projects, including this year’s “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.” On TV, he often played a version of himself in shows such as “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and even surprisingly, “Hannah Montana,” though he did take on other roles occasionally.

One of his most memorable roles is as Bob Day on “New Girl,” where he appeared in 10 episodes over five seasons as the father of Zooey Deschanel’s character. Jamie Lee Curtis, his wife in real life, played his ex-wife Joan, and Kaitlin Olson was his much younger girlfriend, Ashley, who went to high school with Jess. Reiner is wonderful in the role, whether he’s being overly protective of Deschanel, playfully avoiding Curtis, or playfully bantering with Jake Johnson’s character. His performance is marked by a natural, improvisational feel, even when following the script. More recently, he had a recurring role in the fourth season of “The Bear,” also starring Curtis, where he mentored a talented sandwich maker, Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson). Their scenes together feel like what it would be like to have a conversation with Reiner himself.

It’s funny, I’ve been listening to Rob Reiner narrate the audiobook of “A Fine Line: Between Stupid and Clever” recently, with contributions from Christopher McKean, Michael Shearer, and Eugene Guest. It’s a great story about friendship, creativity, and silliness—how something wonderful can really grow over time. Hearing Reiner read it makes the news of Harold Ramis’s passing even more poignant. I’ve ordered the DVD, though I’m not sure when I’ll have the energy to watch it, but I know I will eventually.

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2025-12-16 04:02