Bio: Robert Reiner was born in New York City, to Estelle Reiner (n��e Lebost) and Emmy-winning actor, comedian, writer, and producer Carl Reiner.As a child, his father was his role model, as Carl Reiner created and starred in The Dick Van Dyke Show. Estelle was also an inspiration for him to become a director; her experience as a singer helped him understand how music was used in a scene. Rob often felt pressured about measuring up to his father's successful streak, with twelve Emmys and other prestigious awards.When Rob graduated high school, his parents advised him to participate in Summer Theatre. Reiner got a job as an apprentice in the Bucks County Playhouse in Pennsylvania. He went on to UCLA Film School to further his education. Reiner felt he still wasn't successful even having a recurring role on one of the biggest shows in the country, All in the Family. He began his directing career with the Oscar-nominated films This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, and The Princess Bride.In 1987, with these successful box-office movies under his belt, Reiner founded his own production company, Castle Rock Entertainment; along with Martin Shafer, Andrew Scheinman, Glenn Padnick, and Alan Horn. Under Castle Rock Entertainment, he went to direct Oscar-nominated films When Harry Met Sally, Misery, and A Few Good Men. Reiner has credited former co-star Carroll O'Connor in helping him get into the directing business, showing Reiner the ropes.Reiner is known as a political activist, co-founding the American Foundation For Equal Rights, a group that was an advisory for same-sex-marriage. He has spoken at several rallies on several topics, an advocate for social change regarding such issues as domestic violence and tobacco use.Reiner made cameo appearances on television shows 30 Rock, The Simpsons, and Hannah Montana, and in films The First Wives Club, Bullets Over Broadway, Primary Colors, and Throw Momma From The Train, among many others.
Tivia: Of all the films he has directed, he considers Stand by Me (1986) as his masterpiece and his favorite film.While filming the scene in Stand by Me (1986) in which Gordie and Vern are being chased by a train, he couldn't get Wil Wheaton and Jerry O'Connell to look frightened enough, so after a take, he proceeded to yell at them until they began to cry. He then filmed the scene over again.Growing up he lived right across from future wife Penny Marshall's home in the Bronx.Was best friends in high school with Richard Dreyfuss, whom he later directed in Stand by Me (1986).Named his production company "Castle Rock" after a fictional town created by Stephen King (the two have worked as a team on several movies together).Wore a toupee in All in the Family (1971).Directed 3 actors in Oscar nominated performances: Kathy Bates, Jack Nicholson, and James Woods. Bates won for her performance in Misery (1990).Directed three of the movies ranked in American Film Institute's list of top 100 U.S. love stories in 2002: When Harry Met Sally... (1989) ranked #25, The American President (1995) - #75 and The Princess Bride (1987)- #88.Credits Carroll O'Connor as his favorite acting mentor/best friend.Despite their antagonistic roles on All in the Family (1971) as Meathead and Archie, Reiner grew quite close to actor Carroll O'Connor off-camera.Co-wrote the 1st episode of Happy Days (1974).Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; it is next to his father's star. (October 1999)Son of Estelle Reiner and Carl Reiner.Best friends with Billy Crystal.Was good friends with Robin Williams and revealed as he grieved over his passing away from suicide that like Williams he has suffered from depression.Is portrayed by Trey Parker in the South Park (1997) episode "Butt Out" (Season 7, Episode 13).Movie/stage actor Carroll O'Connor took him under his wing, when he was 23. Their friendship lasted 31 years until O'Connor's death on the First Day of Summer, 2001.He has 3 children with wife Michele Singer.In 1998, Reiner spearheaded a ballot initiative in California to add a tax on cigarettes to pay for early childhood development programs. It passed by a narrow margin.Brother of painter Lucas Reiner and poet/playwright/author Sylivia Ann Reiner.In his first project following All in the Family (1971), Rob Reiner produced, co-wrote and co-starred with then wife Penny Marshall in the TV movie More Than Friends (1978), a romantic comedy based on the couple's own courtship.His favorite sports movie of all time is The Hustler (1961).Friends with Bea Arthur, and Michael Douglas.His acting mentor is the late Carroll O'Connor.He graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1964. Other famous alumni include Angelina Jolie, Michael Klesic, Nicolas Cage, Lenny Kravitz, David Schwimmer, Jonathan Silverman, Gina Gershon, Rhonda Fleming, Jackie Cooper, Antonio Sabato Jr., Pauly Shore, Michael Tolkin, Betty White, Corbin Bernsen, Elizabeth Daily, Albert Brooks and Crispin Glover.Replaced Ted Griffin as the director of Rumor Has It... (2005) twelve days into principal photography.Best known by the public for his role as Michael "Meathead" Stivic on All in the Family (1971).Named "It's a Wonderful Life" as his favorite film in an AFI poll.He is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent (from Austria and Romania on his father's side, and Germany, Russia, and Poland on his mother's side).Ex-brother-in-law of Garry Marshall and Ronny Hallin.Is a big fan of The Beach Boys.He is one of only two directors to have a film on both Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" list and "Most Hated" list with This Is Spinal Tap (1984) being on the former and North (1994) being on the latter. The other director is Bob Clark.Rob and wife Michele Singer are the parents of screenwriter Nick Reiner, Jake Reiner and Romy Reiner.He has directed three films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: This Is Spinal Tap (1984), The Princess Bride (1987) and When Harry Met Sally... (1989).Auditioned for and took his role on All In The Family not expecting the show to last long, believing the series could not catch on with a wide audience of viewers. At the time Reiner was only seeking temporary or part time acting work, as his long term ambitions were in writing and directing.Adoptive father of Tracy Reiner, who is Penny Marshall's daughter from a previous marriage.Casting agents Jane Jenkins and Janet Hirshenson have cast most of Rob's films starting with The Sure Thing (1985).Former comedic partner of Larry Bishop.Has highly praised Carroll O'Connor for his stardom in acting.Supported Al Gore during the 2000 presidential election.Ex-son-in-law of Anthony W. Marshall and Marjorie Marshall.Brother-in-law of Maud Winchester.His father Carl Reiner had met Carroll O'Connor, when O'Connor first met the young, unfamiliar actor, who was living at the house where Reiner's father, was at the time, director of The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961) along with Reiner's mother, Estelle Reiner, and was attending the University of California-Los Angeles, with a major in Drama.Both he and his ex-wife Penny Marshall (a fellow filmmaker) have worked with Fred Savage. Marshall did with "Big" and Reiner with "North".Born on exactly the same date as Martin Kove (of "Karate Kid" fame).