Rob Reiner, co-star of All in the Family and a director who helmed countless Hollywood classics, is dead at 78.

The son of legendary comedy writer and performer Carl Reiner, Rob was surrounded by some of the funniest people in the world from a very young age. At 16, he pitched an idea to his father and Mel Brooks that was used in their iconic recording The 2000 Year Old Man. His ascent continued as he contributed to comedy and culture throughout the following decades.

As Mike "Meathead" Stivic, Reiner served as a proxy for a generation on All in the Family. In contrast to Carol O’Connor’s Archie Bunker, Reiner’s son-in-law character embodied a growing population of college-educated, liberal-minded young adults who opposed the previous generation’s long-held beliefs. Mike Stivic was a caricature humanized by Reiner’s believable performance, creating a character as likable as Archie was funny.

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In addition to his work as an actor, Reiner established a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most reliable filmmakers. Like Ron Howard, he leveraged his experience in front of the camera to eventually step behind it.

His skill set was best showcased in the breadth of genres he explored. With The Princess Bride, Reiner directed a fantasy epic that continues to inspire generations of fans. In This Is Spinal Tap, he created an entirely new form of comedy, helping popularize the improvised mockumentary. Few adapted Stephen King with the reverence and attention to detail Reiner brought to Stand by Me and Misery.

His Harry Met Sally is the romantic comedy at its best; people quote "I'll have what she's having" without even knowing it was Reiner's mother who said it.

While his enduring legacy will be represented by his filmography, Reiner should also be remembered for his skepticism of American power structures. A thematic thread throughout some of his best films, those views ultimately alienated portions of his audience. However, his later-in-life activism closed the loop, pairing Meathead's ideals with actionable pragmatism and leading by example, using his platform to speak his truth.