Additional Coverage:
- Rob Reiner taught Sally Struthers a valuable lesson she never forgot from ‘All in the Family’ (foxnews.com)
Sally Struthers Remembers Rob Reiner Amid Tragic News
Hollywood, CA – Actress Sally Struthers, best known for her role as Gloria Stivic on the iconic 70s sitcom “All in the Family,” is reflecting on her time working with co-star Rob Reiner, following the devastating news of his and his wife Michele’s deaths. The couple was found deceased in their Brentwood home on Sunday, December 14th, with their son Nick Reiner now facing double homicide charges.
In an interview with Woman’s World, Struthers, 78, shared a piece of career advice she received from Reiner during their “All in the Family” days that she calls “life-changing.” When Struthers noticed her lines were frequently being cut, Reiner, who played her on-screen husband Michael Stivic, offered a sage piece of wisdom: “If you can make the show itself more important than your own part, you will wind up offering to give up some of your lines.” This philosophy underscored the collaborative spirit of the show, which famously depicted the liberal younger generation clashing with Gloria’s conservative, working-class parents, Archie and Edith Bunker, played by Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton.
Both Struthers and Reiner departed “All in the Family” after its eighth season, as their characters moved to California. While Struthers reprised her role in a later spin-off, it was revealed that Michael had left Gloria and their son off-camera.
Struthers mused to Woman’s World, “Gloria Bunker Stivic would have remarried. Someone just as inspiring as her first husband, because Mike taught Gloria a lot.”
The news of Rob Reiner’s passing sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Struthers expressed her grief to Deadline, stating, “There are no words. This is beyond devastating and my heart is with their family.”
Just months prior, Struthers and Reiner had reunited on stage at the 2024 Emmy Awards. They participated in a heartfelt tribute to the legendary producer Norman Lear, the creative force behind “All in the Family” and numerous other groundbreaking shows like “The Jeffersons” and “Who’s the Boss.”
During the tribute, Reiner remarked, “Sally and I were part of a unique television family: not just the Bunkers, but Norman Lear’s extended family. Over the decades, Norman brought us together, and he created groundbreaking television shows that depicted real people who made us laugh, made us think, made us feel.”
Following his impactful run on “All in the Family,” Reiner transitioned into a highly successful career as a director, helming beloved films such as “When Harry Met Sally,” “Stand By Me,” “This Is Spinal Tap,” and “The Princess Bride.”
The tragic discovery of Rob and Michele Reiner’s bodies in their Brentwood residence prompted a swift investigation. LAPD Assistant Police Chief Dominic Choi confirmed their bodies were found in their bedroom. Their son, Nick Reiner, quickly became a person of interest and was taken into custody on Monday, December 15th, later being formally charged with double homicide on Tuesday, December 16th.
In the wake of the murders, details of Nick Reiner’s challenging past, including struggles with addiction and mental health issues, have come to light. Neighbors in the Brentwood community have spoken to media outlets about his prior erratic and violent behavior.
Maryanne Lewis, a long-time resident, told Fox News Digital, “Years ago, when he was young, he was on heroin and cocaine, and he went to rehab and did well and was apparently back to normal, but obviously, that wasn’t the case. I heard nothing about him recently.”
Another neighbor shared with the New York Post, “This is not the first time their son has been violent,” adding, “I know of another incident a few years back with Nick, but I won’t say more than that. I just never thought it would ever get to this point.”
The neighbor also revealed, “Rob was always heartbroken that his son couldn’t beat his addiction. I know they wanted him to get help, go to rehab, but he wanted to get help while at home – he did not want to get treatment at a facility.”
The Reiner family’s historic Brentwood estate, once a symbol of Hollywood legacy, now stands as the somber scene of this profound tragedy.