Rob Reiner & Michelle Singer Reiner

You may have found yourself, upon awakening this morning, as I did—seeking solace and sense from the horror of the Reiner family tragedy we went to bed with, unsettled. I found some solace, which I will soon share. But there is no “sense.” Ridiculous and heinous that I momentarily considered the abstract notion of “sense.”

Attending the Beverly Hills Film Festival in May 2024, I stood awestruck in the lobby of the Chinese Theatre and witnessed the image capture of this pictured Reiner father/son moment.

Decades earlier, I worked with Annie Reiner, Rob’s sister, when I cast the first NY workshop of her then-new play, THE NEW LIVING ROOM.

I mention these because, for you, me, and millions of people, this communal shock we’re all experiencing is not some abstract horror… it’s because there is connectivity to a world that was foundational and integral for the Reiner family at large—beginning with Carl. A rare quality, and a heartfelt ambition and skillset not easily or readily pursued or achieved by us mortals. The tragedy vibrates heavier because this loss of life carries also the tragic loss of an ethereal paradigm of humanity that has been radically diminishing.

So where, on this cold morning, did I find some solace?

In a book. On the bottom of page 406, within the chapter entitled “Exit Lines.” A quote from actor Charlotte Rae:

“Be a generous human being and relate to each other…”

The author of that book for actors opined that Ms. Rae’s advice “is probably the most needed guidance…” and “most often ignored. We have lapses… We stop listening to those around us who support and encourage our goals.”

Rob and Michelle Reiner lived to support and encourage our goals. We listened. We heard. We were joyful. But now we have horror. We are grieving the loss of the Reiners, plus their past encouragement. Our working through this loss now requires us to carry forward as the Reiners did: be generous human beings. Relate to each other.