Ron Reiner is one of the household names in Hollywood. His acting debut brought a fresh and honest representation of American society, and since then, he’s been known as the “resident Hollywood hippie.” Now he’s a grandfather of five and lives a quiet life with his wife of 33 years. But he had to overcome heavy obstacles along the way.
Ron Reiner started in Hollywood as an actor. He came into the industry as a game changer and remained one even when he transitioned to his directorial role.
Reiner broke into fame with his role in the ’70s show, “All in the Family,” which changed the trajectory of television and represented the reality of living in America in the 60s.
Rob Reiner in New York in 2018 | Source: Getty Images
The creator of the show, Norman Lear, chose to cast the son of his old-time friend, Carl Reiner. At the time, the younger Reiner was known for his liberal views and long hair.
Since his appearance on “All in the Family,” Reiner was constantly chosen as the industry’s controversial actor; Reiner even referred to himself as “the resident Hollywood hippie.”
Reiner made his directorial debut in the ’80s. He was at the helm of famous films like “The Princess Bride,” “Stand By Me,” “The Spinal Tap,” and fan favorite, “When Harry Met Sally.”
Rob Reiner in New York in 2019 | Source: Getty Images
The actor has produced several films and TV shows under his production company, Castle Rock Entertainment, which he sold to Turner Broadcasting System in 1993. Reiner now reportedly has a net worth of $200 million.
Reiner might have an extensive portfolio but likes to keep his personal life private. The actor purchased a holiday home in Malibu for $ 3.75 million.
His permanent, 10,000-square-foot residence is located in Brentwood, Los Angeles, and was purchased in 1991 from Lear for $4.7 million. Reiner lives there with his wife, Michele Singer, who has been with him for 33 years.
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer in California in 2018 | Source: Getty Images
The actor is even a supporter of Measuring R, a law requiring any future commercial property of 20,000 ft to only be built if approved by voters.
Though people worry that the law will negatively affect businesses, the supporters of the law argue that it needs to be implemented to control growth.
The Secret to His Marriage of 33 Years
Reiner’s talent for putting his imagination on paper comes from his father, who was a comic mastermind. But his interest in portraying love stories also stems from seeing his parents’ marriage blossom for almost 65 years.
Rob Reiner in Los Angeles in 2019 | Source: Getty Images
The actor’s mother, Estelle, died at 92, but his father still misses her and celebrates their anniversary. His parents’ wedding anniversary is on Christmas Eve, and Reiner came up with a tradition of buying them a tin of caviar. His father would get tongue from the deli for it, which would be the day’s delicacy.
Reiner learned much about what it took to have a long-lasting marriage from his parents. He remembered his mother telling him, “You must find someone who can stand you. Not somebody you can put up with, but someone who can stand you.”
The director also learned that happy endings do exist. Reiner was married to his first wife, Penny Marsh, for ten years before they divorced in 1981.
Rob Reiner and Penny Marshall in New York in 1970. | Source: Getty Images
Marshall was also an actor and director who starred in “A League of Their Own” and directed the film “Riding in Cars with Boys.” However, the producer died in 2018.
After the separation, the actor did not believe that he would ever love again, but while he was in the middle of making “When Harry Met Sally,” he met his second wife, Singer.
Initially, “When Harry Met Sally” was meant to mimic his love life, and the two protagonists were not meant to end up together, but meeting Singer made him realize that he could rewrite his ending and make it as happy as his own life.
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer in Los Angeles in 2012 | Source: Getty Images
When the couple celebrated their 25th anniversary, Reiner said it had only gotten better because he realized that he was going through life with his best friend, and 33 years later, their marriage is still strong.
Rob Reiner’s Big Family
Marshall is survived by her daughter Tracy Reiner, who she had in her first marriage with Michael Henry. However, when she divorced Henry and went into her second marriage with Reiner, he adopted Tracy, who took on his last name.
Tracy is 59 years old and married to Matthew Theodore Conlan; together, they have five children. She followed in her father’s footsteps and became an actor.
Rob Reiner and Tracy Reiner in California in 2013 | Source: Getty Images
Tracy starred in the 1984 film “The Flamingo Kid” and her father’s movie “The Sure Thing.” She also acted alongside her mother in the series “Laverne & Shirley.”
In addition to Tracy, Reiner also shares Jake, Romy, and Nick with Singer. Though the actor has had a happy, long-lasting marriage, the couple’s life has not always been easy.
Reiner and his wife faced a painful situation when their son Nick struggled with drug addiction from his teens to adulthood.
Rob and his son Nick Reiner in New York in 2016 | Source: Getty Images
The producer has kept his life private, but he opened up about the difficulty of seeing his son suffer. He thought of making a movie about his son’s experience, but the pain was too much to put on paper.
However, Nick was the one to suggest they make the movie as a way for him and his family to heal. The film “Being Charlie” was released in 2015, and Reiner revealed that they edited the script daily to fit the reality as closely as possible.
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer in California in 2005 | Source: Getty Images
It was not easy for the father to expose his son’s struggles, but Nick was beside him through it all, and Reiner said, “He’s the heart and soul of the film.”
