“Is it possible for one person’s laughter to change the way the world loves?” It’s a burning question that echoes in the wake of Rob Reiner’s passing, which extends far, far beyond tinseltown circles to those with hearts that are heavy with despair. It was over the weekend that this very talented actor and director was found deceased at home with his wife of 36 years, Michele Singer Reiner, whom he left far, far too soon at their home in Los Angeles, and to add tragedy to tragedy, their son, Nick, has been charged with murder.
Meg Ryan, whose career is forever entwined with Reiner’s, following their successful partnership on *When Harry Met Sally* no less, shared a very moving testament to the actor via her Instagram page. “Oh how we will miss this man… Thank you, Rob and Michelle, for the way you believe in true love, in fairy tales, and in laughter. Thank you for your faith in the best in people, and for your profound love of our country.” This message has the power to encompass both sorrow and gratitude, reflecting the impact Reiner has left on the world through his endeavors.
Ryan also hopes that in the presence of such an “impossible tragedy,” some positive thing can come out. “I have to believe that their story will not end with this impossible tragedy, that some good may come, some awareness raised… they would want that to be hopeful and humane, to be something that brings us all to a greater understanding of one another and to some peace.”
In a statement, Reiner’s children, Jake and Romy, said that their parents were “not just our parents; they were our best friends.” This kind of raw truthfulness in remembrances of the deceased reflects the way in which public memorializations can become a way to address and deal with grief in a communal sense. As researchers in mental health claim, to feel a sense of connection and support after a traumatic experience is key, and celebrity memorials provide this kind of common experience.
The tributes from Reiner’s friends and collaborators are no less heartfelt. He had the comedic touch beyond compare, Billy Crystal recalled. He improved actors and writers. The comedian termed his “His greatest gift was freedom. If you had an idea, he listened, he brought you into the process… To be in his hands as a film-maker was a privilege but that is only part of his legacy.” On the part of his friends such as Larry David, Martin Short, and Albert Brooks, Reiner is remembered for his unique scope as a storyteller, his passion for the land he lived in, and the collaboration he enjoyed with his wife, Michele.
Reiner’s body of work was a lesson in versatility itself. It went from his depiction of the lovable “Meathead” on *All in the Family*, winning him an Emmy Award, through his direction of *This Is Spinal Tap*, *Stand By Me*, *The Princess Bride*, and *Misery*, showing a remarkable dexterity at shifting between genres while retaining his trademark warmth. However, it was *When Harry Met Sally*, which took in more than 93 million dollars at the box office and helped Nora Ephron win an Oscar nomination, that solidified his status in the pantheon of romantic comedies. Its classic depiction of friendship and romance still colors the genre today, moments like the iconic Katz’s Delicatessen scene entering the very fabric of popular culture.
He met Michele while working on the production *When Harry Met Sally*, through Barry Sonnenfeld. He later reminisced that he fell for Michele the moment he met her, as he exclaimed, “She has helped raise me. The thing I talk about, how women show you what’s important, she has done for me.” They were married for over thirty years, a true reflection of the long-lasting love he portrayed in most of his films. During periods of bereavement, the advice that grieving support advocates make sense.
Faith and hope that recovery and rehabilitation are possible, seeking the support of others, and acquiring a new level of wisdom to find purpose in the aftermath are all methods of recovery. According to the strategies implied for coping, doing the smallest things for example, reaching out to friends or simply experiencing the sensation will remedy the hopelessness that trauma engenders. Director Rob Reiner’s life was a tapestry woven with laughter and love, and an abiding faith in the good in humanity. His films invited viewers to ‘LAUGH UNTIL THEY CRIED,’ ‘BELIEVE IN FAIRY TALES,’ and ‘HANG ON TO HOPE IN A heavvy world.’ In the words of Meg Ryan.
