Who did Rob Reiner play in "All in the Family"? Fans remember filmmaker's acting gig after he and his wife are reportedly murdered by their son

Iconic filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner was found dead alongside his wife, Michele Singer, at his Brentwood home on Sunday, December 14, 2025. He was 78 years old at the time of his passing.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Rob Reiner and his wife were stabbed to death. They are investigating the case as a homicide with reported involvement of his son. However, no further details were shared about their death at the moment. In an official statement, Reiner's family said:

"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time."

Tributes poured in from across the world after the news of Rob Reiner's death. Multiple fans paid their respects to the actor, comedian, and director, with many remembering his iconic performances in film and television. Reiner played the role of Michael Stivic, popularly known as Meathead, in the popular American sitcom, All in the Family (1971-1979). His character was the son-in-law of the protagonist, Archie Bunker, and the husband of Gloria. Stivic was a recurring character in the show and appeared throughout its nine seasons.

Reiner's Stivic was based on the character of Mike from the British original series, Till Death Us Do Part, which All in the Family was adapted from. The original Mike was known to be a Trotskyist, while Michael Stivic was a much mellowed-down version of the original.

Fans took to X to remember Rob Reiner's iconic performance as Michael Stivic, sharing their memories of All in the Family. One X user wrote:

"Don't give a rat's a*s about Rob Reiner's politics tonight. We've just lost a legendary film director and iconic actor. RIP "Meathead." You didn't deserve this."

Some other reactions were as follows:

Fans continued to share their tributes for Reiner:

Apart from his memorable acting gigs, Rob Reiner was well known for his comedic genius. He was the director of multiple iconic films, including When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, This is Spinal Tap, and A Few Good Men.

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Rob Reiner's iconic career in Hollywood explored in light of his death at 78

'Misery' Westwood Premiere - Source: Getty

Rob Reiner was the son of acclaimed comedian, writer, and director Carl Reiner. Carl was one of the most important names from the Golden Age of American Television. Since an early age, Reiner showed flair for the performing arts and eventually first gained spotlight after starring as Michael Stivic aka Meathead in All in the Family.

Stivic's character became extremely popular in the 1970s, owing to Reiner's exceptional comic timing. He also won two Emmys for his performance in All in the Family for Best Supporting Actor in 1974 and 1978. He was also credited as a writer for the popular CBS sitcom and slowly moved to screenplay writing and direction in the 1980s.

Rob Reiner then directed This is Spinal Tap in 1984, marking his entry into Hollywood as a director. He went on to direct multiple iconic films, including Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, and When Harry Met Sally. The latter remains one of the most loved and celebrated romantic comedies of all time. In the 1990s, Reiner directed Misery and A Few Good Men, which were nominated for Best Film at the Academy Awards.

Further, Reiner continued to act in multiple films and shows, including Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street, and sitcoms like New Girl. He also appeared on the critically acclaimed series, The Bear.

In an interview with The Guardian in 2008, Rob Reiner shared his motive behind the making of some of his post-1980 films, many of which he also produced. Reiner did not find enough commercial success during this phase of his career, despite his early films being massively successful. He said:

"I’m making the movies I want to make. Studios are looking for hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars in profit and you’re not going to get it with a little movie…But I came into this business to express myself and tell stories, not just churn out a product."

Apart from his iconic career, Reiner was also known for his controversial political views. Reiner was a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party. He has remained vocal about his political views throughout his career. Former President Barack Obama and California Governor Gavin Newsom have shared their tributes following Reiner's death.

Reiner's last released film as a director was Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, a sequel to his iconic 1984 film, The Spinal Tap. It was released in September this year.

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Rob Reiner and his wife are survived by their three children, Jake, Nick, and Romy. Investigation is ongoing on his death and the police are expected to reveal the cause of death after necessary tests.

Edited by Pratyasha Sarkar