Rob Reiner, who famously played Archie Bunker’s liberal son-in-law, went on to be an outspoken supporter of social justice causes and Democratic candidates.
Rob Reiner’s political activism was a big part of his Hollywood star power.
Reiner, who became famous for his portrayal of Archie Bunker’s liberal son-in-law Michael “Meathead” Stivic on “All in the Family,” would go on to become outspoken on causes near and dear, including social and economic justice, LGBTQ rights and environmental issues.
He co-founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights, the group that initiated the court challenge against California’s same-sex marriage ban. He also chaired the campaign that passed First 5 California, an initiative that used a tobacco tax to fund early childhood development programs. He successfully lead efforts to save California’s Ahmanson Ranch from commercial development and preserve it as a state park and wildlife refuge.
Rob Reiner son Nick taken into police custody in connection to killing
Nick Reiner, son of director slain director Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer, has been taken into police custody.
The celebrated actor and director was a prominent Democratic Party activist, supporting the 2000 campaign of Al Gore, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean’s run for the 2004 Democratic nomination, later backing Democratic candidate John Kerry’s campaign in an ad taking aim at incumbent President George W. Bush. He was also a supporter of the 2008 campaign of Hillary Clinton.
Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer also helped produce the 2024 documentary “God & Country” about the emergence of Christian nationalism and its ties to far-right politics, based on Katherine Stewart’s 2020 book “The Power Worshippers.”
Democratic politicians shared early condolences following the Reiners’ deaths.
In a post on X, Rep. Nancy Pelosi called the news of Reiner and his wife’s death “devastating.”
“It’s hard to think of anyone more remarkable and excellent in every field and endeavor they pursued,” she said in a post to X. “Rob was creative, funny, and beloved. And in all of their endeavors, Michelle (sic) was his indispensable partner, intellectual resource, and a loving wife.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he and his wife were “heartbroken” by the loss of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer. “Rob was the big-hearted genius behind so many of the classic stories we love,” he posted on X. “His boundless empathy made his stories timeless, teaching generations how to see goodness and righteousness in others – and encouraging us to dream bigger.”
L.A. Mayor Bass called the loss “devastating,” posting on X that Rob Reiner “improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice. An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in service of others.”
And former President Barack Obama posted on social media praised the director’s outlook.
“Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen,” he wrote. “But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people—and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.”
President Trump speculates political motive in Rob Reiner killing in Truth Social rant
President Donald Trump lashed out at the slain director and actor, saying his death was “reportedly due to the anger he caused others through… a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.”
“He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump,” the president added in a Dec. 15 social media post.
Reiner regularly criticized Trump. During an MSNBC appearance in October, he said, “We have a year before this country becomes a full-on autocracy completely and democracy completely leaves us,” according to The Hill. He told Variety in 2017 that Trump was “mentally unfit” for the presidency.
The deaths of the actor/director and his producer wife are under investigation after the couple was found dead in their Brentwood home Sunday afternoon, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said in a Monday press conference. Their son, Nick Reiner, was taken into police custody Monday and “booked for murder,” McDonnell said. He is being held on no bail after his initial bail was set at $4 million. There has been no indication from officials that Reiner’s death had anything to do with his political beliefs.
Contributing: Pamela Avila, James Powel and Zac Anderson, USA TODAY; Reuters