Tearful Jerry O’Connell Details Rob Reiner’s Impact After Stand by Me

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Rob Reiner left a lasting impression on Jerry O’Connell’s life.

Jerry still remembers the generosity of director Rob Reiner, even thirty years after they worked together on the 1986 film Stand by Me. He starred alongside Corey Feldman, Kiefer Sutherland, Will Wheaton, and the late River Phoenix in the coming-of-age movie, and he deeply appreciated Reiner’s kindness behind the scenes.

Jerry shared a touching story on CBS’s Rob Reiner: Scenes From a Life special, recalling how Rob Reiner went out of his way to have lunch with him after the movie was released. Jerry was only 12 at the time, and Reiner, despite being a busy person, wanted to personally thank him and praise his work in the film. Jerry recounted the story with emotion, emphasizing Reiner’s kindness.

“That lunch really touched me,” she said, holding back tears. “Kids just need to hear those kinds of encouraging words.”

Jerry, remembering his first film role, described Rob as different from other adults he knew. They usually told him to be quiet and stay still, but Rob didn’t.

He explained that working with Rob was liberating. ‘The director, who we all respected, encouraged us to speak up and be ourselves,’ he said. ‘He told us not to hold back or stay silent.’

He explained that he’d been longing for that feeling – Rob telling him those words – for his whole life.

Rob and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead at their home in Los Angeles on December 14th. Their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with their murders and is scheduled to appear in court in January.

After Rob Reiner and Penny Marshall passed away, Jerry remembered being hired by Rob—who was also the father of Tracy Reiner (61), Jake Reiner (34), and Romy Reiner (27, with Michele)—for a role in a movie based on a story by Stephen King. That role would ultimately be life-changing for Jerry.

In an interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings on December 15th, he shared that Rob was like a father to him, describing the news as ‘surreal, sad, and shocking.’ He explained that everything he’s achieved is thanks to Rob Reiner.

Rob’s former co-stars from Stand by Me have also been sharing their memories of him. Will wrote on his website that Rob was a kind person who created meaningful work and positively impacted countless lives. He added that Rob used his platform and influence for good, making the world a better place through his activism.

Keifer, who later worked with Rob again on A Few Good Men, shared how much Rob meant to him. In a social media post, he wrote that Rob was one of the kindest people he’d ever worked with, and he was grateful for the opportunity Rob gave him early in his career, as it truly changed his life.

 

For more stars who remembered Rob and Michele, keep reading…

 

The actress, adopted by director Rob Reiner while he was married to the late Penny Marshall, said she last saw her father at a family event the day before he and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were discovered dead at their Los Angeles home in what appeared to be a homicide.

In a statement to NBC News on December 14th, she said she came from a wonderful family and was completely shocked by recent events, adding she didn’t know what to say.

The actress shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying how much she’d miss Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle. She thanked them for believing in love, happily-ever-afters, and joy, as well as for seeing the good in others and loving their country. Continuing her tribute to the director of When Harry Met Sally and his wife, she expressed hope that something positive could come from this tragic loss – perhaps increased awareness or understanding. She felt they would want the focus to be on hope, kindness, and bringing people together.

The Spinal Tap actor shared on Instagram that Rob was a lifelong friend and someone he enjoyed working with. He described Rob as funny, intelligent, and a genuinely good person. He fondly remembered Rob’s booming laughter when he attended both a comedy show and a musical the actor co-wrote, saying it could be heard all over the street.

Harry remembered that whenever he, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Rob came up with movie ideas, Rob was the one who actually wrote them down on index cards and structured them into a full film.

He continued, saying Michele was a close friend to his wife, Judith. He described the situation as devastating, like something out of an ancient tragedy.

The Princess Bride star said she’s “deeply shocked and devastated” by Rob and Michele’s passing.

She said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter that she was deeply saddened by the news. She described Rob as a wonderfully loving, compassionate, and kind person – an exceptional director who had a lasting impact on her and her career.

The actress shared on Instagram that she was heartbroken by the deaths of Rob and Michele. She explained they were cherished members of their community, and Rob’s artwork had a profound impact on people all over the world.

Speaking about the director of Alex & Emma, she said, “Rob was truly one of the best. He had a gift for making films that were funny, moving, and uplifting, and he wasn’t limited by genre – he just told amazing stories.”

The Academy Award-winning actress stated she had seen Rob and Michele the day before their bodies were discovered at their home in Los Angeles.

She described the couple as “wonderful, caring, smart, funny, and generous,” and shared on Instagram December 15th that she had seen them just two nights before, looking healthy and happy. She added that she was devastated and in shock over their passing.

The actress shared on Instagram that her director from A Few Good Men and his wife were incredible people and devoted parents who dedicated their lives to making a positive impact. She expressed her deepest sympathy, saying her heart goes out to their family, friends, and everyone affected by this loss.

Oh my gosh, it’s just so sweet! Demi and Bruce’s daughters – Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah – basically grew up alongside Rob and Michele’s three kids. They all just grew up together as one big blended family, it’s adorable! I’ve followed Demi for years and it’s amazing to see how she’s always prioritized family, even after the divorce. It really warms my heart!

She wrote that they worked closely together, and she would always treasure the personal and professional moments and memories they created as their lives became connected.

I was so saddened to hear about the director’s passing. The actor shared a beautiful photo on Instagram – a picture of his and Rob’s chairs from the set of The Princess Bride – and simply wrote, ‘No words.’ It really captured how many of us were feeling.

The actor, known for his role in Stand By Me, expressed his shock and sadness upon hearing the news of the director’s and Michele’s deaths. He shared on X, “I’m completely shocked and heartbroken. I love you, Rob! You will be forever missed!”

The director of A Simple Favor shared a beloved photo and a heartfelt tribute on X, calling Rob her hero, a visionary, and a wonderful person.

He paused, then said it’s always difficult to know whether posting is appropriate after something so sad. But he wanted everyone to understand what many people in the business already knew: Rob was truly exceptional.

The actress was heartbroken when she remembered Rob, who played her father on the show New Girl.

She shared on Instagram that she was heartbroken by the loss of Rob Reiner, describing him as incredibly kind, funny, and generous. She called him a wonderful person and a talented artist, fondly remembering their time working together and the impact his films had on her life.

She fondly remembered Rob and Michele, saying they were always kind and she cherished every chance she had to see them.

The actor from Stand By Me found out about the director’s death from his fellow actor, Jerry O’Connell. In a post on his website on December 15th, he described the loss as tragic, senseless, and devastating, and said he was still trying to process it.

Okay, seriously, Wil was talking about Rob and it just wrecked me all over again. He said Rob made him feel… loved, valued, like someone actually saw him, and respected him! And it was during a really tough time with his parents, while they were making the movie in ’86. It just… it means so much to hear him say that Rob had that impact. It’s like, Rob just got him when nobody else did, you know?

Rob was a truly kind and talented person who created beautiful art and positively impacted countless lives. He used his platform and resources to advocate for change, making the world a brighter place.

I was so fortunate to work with Rob and Michele Reiner many times on movies and TV shows. Their talent as actors, directors, and producers will always be remembered. But even more than that, they showed us all how to be strong advocates for the environment, fairness, and our country. They were true American patriots and a joy to be around. Brad and I send our deepest sympathy to the Reiner family.

I’ll never forget landing my very first TV role – it was a scene with Rob! I was so thrilled to be working alongside him, and I always treasured our conversations about comedy over the years. It was a really special experience.

“I’m speechless,” she continued. “What a tragic loss.”

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele,” former President Obama shared on X (formerly Twitter). “Rob’s work in film and television created many of the stories we treasure, and he always believed in the inherent goodness of people, dedicating his life to making a positive difference.

I was so deeply saddened to hear about his passing. He and his wife truly lived lives filled with meaning, and I, along with so many others, will always remember them for the principles they stood for and the incredible impact they had on people. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved them both.

The actor posted a photo on Instagram of himself with director Rob, whom he worked with on the 1986 film Stand By Me. He captioned the photo with a heartfelt message: “Love you, Rob. Sincerely.”

He clarified he didn’t intend any disrespect to his parents, explaining that Rob had been a father figure to him, as he shared on CBS Mornings on December 15th. He described the situation as unreal.

Jerry explained, “I owe everything to Rob Reiner – absolutely everything. It’s a really tough day.”

The family of the beloved TV star shared a heartfelt statement about the close relationship he had with another person.

The Lear family is deeply saddened by the passing of Rob and Michele Reiner, they shared with Deadline. Norman Lear considered Rob like a son, and their bond was incredibly special to everyone who knew them.

The statement noted that Norman would have wanted everyone to remember Rob and Michele’s dedication to improving the country. They worked tirelessly towards this goal through their creative work, advocacy, charitable giving, and the love they shared with family and friends. Lyn Lear, a close friend, expressed profound sadness, saying, ‘The world feels much dimmer tonight, and we are heartbroken by their loss.’

Jamie Lee expressed her and Christopher’s devastation over the tragic deaths of their friends, Rob and Michelle Singer Reiner. In a statement to Variety, she said their only concern right now is supporting Rob and Michelle’s children and families, and they will do everything they can to help.

The couple stated they will share memories of their creative work and the positive changes they brought to entertainment, children’s development, and the fight for marriage equality, as well as their humanitarian efforts, at a later time. They also asked for privacy as they mourn the loss of dear friends.

When I heard the heartbreaking news about Rob and Michele, I was so moved. I saw that the star of Magic of Belle Isle shared a beautiful message on Instagram, saying something along the lines of sending strength to those who loved them and thanking Rob for all the happiness he brought into our lives. It really resonated with me, and I think with a lot of people.

The actor, who worked with Carl Reiner in the 2003 film Good Boy!, shared on X that Reiner’s comedy was intelligent and deeply genuine. He described Reiner’s work as a constant presence in their lives, expressing gratitude for both his creations and the positive impact he and his wife had on the world.

The Monty Python alum tweeted that he had spoken to Rob on the phone the night before his death.

I was so saddened to hear about Rob Reiner. I had the pleasure of speaking with him just last night for over an hour, and I always cherished our time together. I first met him way back in 1975 at his father’s place, and I remember him sharing stories about filming at Stonehenge and his hopes for what was to come. It’s just awful news. I’m going to miss him terribly – he was such a clever, talented, and genuinely thoughtful person. It’s truly awful.

The Misery star said she was “absolutely devasted” by the news of Rob’s death.

I was so heartbroken to hear about Rob’s passing. I had the privilege of working with him on a film back in the ’90s, and he was truly one of a kind. He wasn’t just incredibly talented – a real visionary, really – but also a genuinely kind person. He always pushed himself creatively, taking on all sorts of different projects just to see what he could achieve. He was a brilliant artist, through and through.

She shared that he profoundly impacted her life. Michele was a talented photographer who took the stunning photos for the Misery campaign. She expressed her deep sadness for both of them and offered her condolences to their family.

The actor expressed shock and sadness upon hearing of Rob Reiner’s death, remembering him as “a great man.” They had worked together on the 1985 film, The Sure Thing, forty years prior.

The actor, who previously collaborated with Rob Reiner on the 1994 film North, expressed his sadness on X about Reiner’s passing and the loss of Reiner’s wife, Michelle. He sent his condolences to their children and family.

She described Rob Reiner as an exceptionally kind and wonderful person – joyful, considerate, and generous. He had a huge impact on the film industry and the world, creating movies that emphasized understanding and humor. He encouraged bravery and taking chances in the pursuit of love. Using his platform and storytelling skills, he championed democracy and supported people everywhere.

Sophia continued, sharing that he consistently showed up even when no one was watching. He was always quick to volunteer and participated in countless Zoom meetings, supporting organizations working to improve the world. He generously offered his skills and time, always saying yes to help others. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to know him through this work, and he’s had a profoundly positive influence on me. I’m devastated by the loss of him and Michele, and my thoughts are with their families and friends.

I’ve always loved Rob Reiner as a director,” said the actor known for Zoolander in a post on X. “He created some of the most influential films for people my age. He stepped out from under the shadow of his famous father, Carl Reiner, and transitioned from being a TV actor to become a truly great director with an amazing string of hit movies.

He added that Spinal Tap is a truly hilarious film – and that’s just one example. He was also a genuinely kind and very funny person.

As someone who’s always been inspired by incredible creative minds, I have to say, meeting this particular artist completely shifted my perspective. I recently had the chance to connect with him, and I was blown away by his generosity – he was so willing to chat with me, just to brighten the day of a fan. It sounds dramatic, but it truly made a difference in my life!

Honestly, it’s just heartbreaking. He truly loved his work, and even more than that, the people he shared it with. He was incredibly giving with his time, his energy, and always had a story to tell. I’m just completely devastated by this loss.

The comedian expressed shock and horror upon learning about the incident involving Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele. They called it a terrible situation and offered prayers for a quick resolution and their condolences to the family and children, admitting they were speechless.

The Emmy-winning actor posted on Instagram about their sadness following the death of a director they greatly admired. They explained that A Few Good Men inspired them to pursue acting, and the director’s overall work motivated them to become a director themselves – a dream they still hold today.

He said he was deeply saddened by the loss of Rob and his wife, but acknowledged the significant and positive influence they had on his life and the lives of many others.

 

After hearing about the deaths of Rob and Michele, the musician remembered first meeting them while working on the upcoming film, Spinal Tap at Stonehenge: The Final Finale.

Josh shared on Instagram that he and Michele treated him like family and gave him the chance to achieve a lifelong dream. He described their time together as filled with laughter, love, and music, creating a memory he’ll always treasure. He expressed his shock and sadness at their passing, and sent his condolences to their family.

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2025-12-22 22:53