Hollywood mourns Rob Reiner as iconic filmmaker’s legacy lives on

The filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer were found dead on Sunday at their Brentwood home, shocking Hollywood.

Reiner, a beloved figure in film, is known for directing some of America’s most iconic comedies and rom coms.

Here’s a look at his legendary career highlights:

This Is Spinal Tap

Reiner’s directorial debut, a mockumentary following a fictional British rock band, launched the genre and remains a classic comedy.

Reiner also stars as director Marty Di Bergi and iconic phrases like “up to eleven” are still part of pop culture. A sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues was released in 2025.

The Sure Thing

A romantic road movie starring John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga, about college students traveling across the country and it was praised for adapting the rom com format to teen characters, achieving both critical and financial success.

Stand By Me

Adapted from Stephen King’s novella The Body, the film follows four boys seeking a missing child’s body in 1959 Maine as it earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay and secured Reiner his first Golden Globe nomination for Best Director.

The Princess Bride

A fantasy comedy adapted from William Goldman’s novel, featuring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant and others.

Iconic lines include Patinkin’s, “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die,” Shawn’s “Inconceivable!” and Elwes’ “As you wish.”

When Harry Met Sally

Starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, this rom com chronicles a 12-year friendship evolving into love as the film earned $92.8 million at the box office and the famous Katz Deli orgasm scene became a pop culture landmark.

Misery

Another Stephen King adaptation, starring James Caan and Kathy Bates, whose performance won her an Academy Award for Best Actress.

A Few Good Men

Adapted from John Grisham’s legal drama, featuring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson. The film earned four Oscar nominations including Best Picture and showcased Nicholson at his career peak.

In later years, Reiner focused more on politics and producing films like The Bucket List (2007) starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.

Though it received mixed reviews as the film grossed $175 million and popularised the idea of a “bucket list.”