The Late Rob Reiner Contributed To Some Of The World’s Most Renowned Films & Shows
Rob Reiner made his mark through a long list of films and other projects he directed, starred in, produced, and wrote. Although he rose to fame as an actor, he found later success and renown through his work behind the camera.
Reiner served as the driving force behind some of the world’s most iconic and recognizable films and shows. We’ve featured 7+ of those projects in this list.
See if your favorite is included below.
7+ Iconic Rob Reiner Films & Other Works
All In The Family (1971-1978)
Rob Reiner rose to fame as one of the main cast members of the sitcom All in the Family. He played Michael “Meathead” Stivic, the husband of Gloria, and son-in-law to Archie and Edith Bunker.
Meathead was a “hippie” type and was known for his outspoken political views. Because of this, he and Archie often butted heads.
Reiner appeared in 174 episodes across the show’s first eight seasons, from 1971 to 1978. He won two Primetime Emmy Awards for his performance on the show.
This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
Reiner made his directorial debut with This Is Spinal Tap. He also served as one of the screenwriters.
The movie is filmed in a mockumentary style, following a fictional heavy metal band named Spinal Tap. Reiner himself had a role in the film, playing Martin “Marty” Di Bergi, a documentary filmmaker tagging along with Spinal Tap on tour.
The film developed a cult following over the years. A sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, was released in September 2025. It was the final film Reiner released in his lifetime.
Stand By Me (1986)
Reiner served as the director behind the 1986 film Stand by Me. The project, based on Stephen King’s 1982 novella, The Body, was Reiner’s first time (but not his last time) adapting King’s work.
The Body follows four young boys who embark on a quest to find the body of another missing boy. The film received positive reviews and multiple accolades, including two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award nomination.
The Princess Bride (1987)
One of Reiner’s most beloved projects was the 1987 movie The Princess Bride. He directed and produced the fantasy film, which follows a farmhand named Westley on his journey to rescue his sweetheart, Princess Buttercup.
“Storybook Love,” a song from The Princess Bride, was nominated for Best Original Song at the 60th Academy Awards. The film itself was added to the National Film Registry for preservation in 2016.
When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
Reiner directed and produced the 1989 film When Harry Met Sally…
The romantic comedy, which famously starred Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, follows the titular characters through 12 years, showcasing how their relationship evolves over that period.
When Harry Met Sally…earned five Golden Globe nominations and one Academy Award nomination. The film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2022.
Misery (1990)
Reiner returned to adapting one of Stephen King’s works in 1990, serving as the director and producer behind Misery. Known as one of the greatest psychological horror movies ever made, Misery follows writer Paul Sheldon, who finds himself captured by a deranged fan named Annie.
Kathy Bates (who played Annie) won the Academy Award and the Golden Globe for Best Actress following the film’s release. To date, Misery is the only film based on one of King’s novels to receive an Academy Award.
A Few Good Men (1992)
Reiner kept his string of successes going with the release of A Few Good Men in 1992. He directed and produced the film, which starred Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, and Kevin Bacon.
A Few Good Men follows a military/courtroom drama format, centering on Cruise’s character, Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee. Kaffee finds himself defending two U.S. Marines charged with killing one of their own.
A Few Good Men earned four Academy Award nominations (including a nod for Best Picture) and five Golden Globe nominations.
Sleepless In Seattle (1993)
Although Reiner focused more on his behind-the-camera work as his career progressed, he still acted on occasion. One of his most memorable roles came in the 1993 romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
Reiner played Jay Mathews, whose character’s line about tiramisu led to a renewed interest in the Italian dessert, which many Americans were unfamiliar with at the time.
Nora Ephron, who wrote the script for the Reiner-directed When Harry Met Sally…, directed Sleepless in Seattle.
The American President (1995)
Reiner directed and produced the 1995 film The American President. The film follows fictional President Andrew Shepherd, and blends elements of romance, politics, drama, and humor
President Shepherd, a widower, finds himself falling for Sydney Ellen Wade, an environmental lobbyist. Michael Douglas and Annette Bening played Shepherd and Wade.
The American President received one Academy Award nomination and five Golden Globe Award nominations.
Ghosts Of Mississippi (1996)
Reiner directed and produced the 1996 courtroom drama Ghosts of Mississippi. Starring Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg, and James Woods, the movie is based on the real-life trial of Byron De La Beckwith.
Ghosts of Mississippi earned two Academy Award nominations and one Golden Globe nomination.
The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)
Reiner delivered one of his final acting performances in the 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street. He famously played Max Belfort, the father of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jordan Belfort.
In addition to DiCaprio and Reiner, the film starred Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, and Matthew McConaughey.
Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, were found deceased in their California home on December 14. They were 78 and 68.
RELATED: ROB REINER’S DAUGHTER, TRACY, SHARES SHOCK & GRIEF OVER HIS DEATH
On December 15, The Los Angeles Times reported that the couple’s son, 32-year-old Nick Reiner, had been “arrested on suspicion of murdering his parents.”
