Rob Reiner used his fame to advocate for progressive causes. ‘Just a really special man. A terrible day’
Rob Reiner was known to millions as a television actor and film director.
But the Brentwood resident, known for the classic films “Stand by Me” and “When Harry Met Sally,” was also a political force, an outspoken supporter of progressive causes and a Democratic Party activist who went beyond the typical role of celebrities hosting flashy fundraisers.
Reiner was deeply interested in issues he cared about, such as early childhood education and the legalization of same-sex marriage.
78-year-old Reiner and his wife, Michelle Singer Reiner, were found dead in their home on Sunday, causing sadness for those who worked with him for various reasons.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Gov. Jerry Brown and Ace Smith, a veteran Democratic strategist for presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, had known Reiner for decades. He said Reiner approaches politics differently than many celebrities.
“Here is this unique person who really crosses between entertainment and politics,” Smith said. “And he really took the time to understand politics in real depth and make a big impact in California.”
Reiner was a co-founder of the American Equal Rights Foundation, which successfully fought to overturn Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage. She has been active in children’s issues for years, leading the campaign to pass California Children and Families Initiative Proposition 10, which creates an ambitious program of early childhood development services.
Recommendation 10 was considered a landmark policy. For this endeavor, Reiner enlisted the help of Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams and his own father, comedy legend Carl Reiner.
“He wanted to make a difference. And he did, and he did it deeply,” Smith said.
Reiner was also a leading supporter of Proposition 82, a failed measure in California that would have taxed the wealthy to create universal pre-kindergarten.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has known Reiner since he was a state lawmaker in the 1990s, worked with him on Proposition 10 and was impressed with how Reiner embraced the cause.
“He was a man with a good answer. It wasn’t politics as much as he always focused on the humanity among us,” Villaraigosa said. ‘When he got behind a subject, he knew everything about it.’
“A truly special man. Terrible day,” the former mayor said.
Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement that she was “heartbroken” by what happened that day and said Reiner “always used his talents in the service of others.”
“Rob Reiner’s contributions are reflected in American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and fighting for social and economic justice,” the mayor said.
“I hold everyone who loved Rob and Michele in my heart,” Bass said.
Newsom added: “Rob was a passionate advocate for children and civil rights, from fighting against Big Tobacco to fighting for marriage equality to being a strong voice in early education. He made California a better place through his good work.”
“Rob will be remembered for his extraordinary filmography and extraordinary contributions to humanity,” the governor said.
