Actor Kevin Bacon posted a deeply emotional video tribute on Instagram this Monday, honouring his late friend and director, Rob Reiner. The news follows the tragic discovery of Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, deceased in their California home on Sunday.
A Friendship Forged on Set
In the raw and heartfelt video, Bacon struggled to find words, recalling how Reiner gave him a pivotal role in the 1992 courtroom drama “A Few Good Men.” "I was over the moon to get that job," Bacon admitted, revealing a personal connection to Reiner's earlier work. "People may or may not know, but 'This Is Spinal Tap' is my all-time favorite movie."
Reiner's directorial legacy is formidable, spanning genres with classics like the mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap,” the coming-of-age story “Stand By Me,” the fairy-tale romance “The Princess Bride,” the chilling thriller “Misery,” and the iconic romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally.”
Remembering a Collaborative and Kind Leader
Bacon tearfully described the filming of “A Few Good Men” as one of the best experiences of his career. He praised Reiner's leadership, which created a uniquely positive atmosphere. "He was so fun," Bacon said. "It really comes down from the top... we are working hard but also working hard in a safe and pleasant and fun situation."
This sentiment was echoed by star Tom Cruise in a 1992 interview with The New York Times, where he commended Reiner for his "sweetness" and for being "a guy who wants, almost wills, his actors to be great."
Bacon shared a poignant personal memory of daily lunches with the director and his wife, Michele, a ritual he never experienced with any other director. His wife, actress Kyra Sedgwick, who was pregnant with their son Travis at the time, would often join them. "It was a magical time," Bacon recalled.
A Tragic Investigation Unfolds
Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead on Sunday at their Brentwood home in Los Angeles. In a devastating turn, their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested in connection with the deaths. The late director had previously collaborated with his son on the 2015 film “Being Charlie,” a drama loosely based on Nick's struggles with addiction.
Fellow “A Few Good Men” cast member Demi Moore also paid tribute, writing of the difficulty in processing "the unfathomable devastation" of the loss.
Bacon concluded his video message by sending love to all who knew the Reiners, acknowledging the widespread grief. "I know that everyone’s hurting today," he said, his words resonating with fans and the Hollywood community alike.
