Rob Reiner’s Activist Legacy Remembered by Barack Obama, Gavin Newsom, Nancy Pelosi

Rob Reiner‘s expansive legacy didn’t end with his vast contributions to film and television. The acclaimed actor and director, who was found dead alongside his wife, Michele, at their California home Sunday night, was also outspoken in his championing of civil rights. His activism has been celebrated by numerous political figures following news of his death.

“Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen,” former president Barack Obama shared in a statement on X. “But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people — and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action. Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose. They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired.”

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi wrote, “Personally, Rob cared deeply about people and demonstrated that in his civic activities — whether by supporting the First 5 initiative or fighting against Prop 8 in California. Civically, he was a champion for the First Amendment and the creative rights of artists. And professionally, he was an iconic figure in film who made us laugh, cry and think with the movies he created.”

Reiner’s political perspective shaped an array of releases throughout his career as he encouraged audiences to dig deeper into the politics and politicians shaping America. In 2017, he released Shock and Awe, a film critical of the George W. Bush administration. It arrived just a year after he chronicled the start of Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency as successor to John F. Kennedy in 2016’s LBJ. Last year, he produced the documentary God & Country, which tracked the rise of Christian nationalism and its connection to the far right.

Reiner’s directorial efforts also include the career-defining releases A Few Good Men and The American President. The political thread that runs throughout his filmography can be traced back to his role as Michael “Meathead” Stivic in All in the Family, as well. “Rob Reiner’s work has impacted generations of Americans,” former vice president Kamala Harris wrote on X. “The characters, dialogue, and visuals he brought to life in film and television are woven throughout our culture. Rob loved our country, cared deeply about the future of our nation, and fought for America’s democracy.”
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Last year, Reiner looked back at All in the Family in an interview with Rolling Stone, saying, “Archie Bunker was a conservative and a patriot, but also a racist. And what we’re seeing now is the weaponization of that racism.… These people [Christian nationalists] are fine with the idea that America should be a white, Christian nation. They’re frightened of what’s happening in this country with diversity. But we are a pluralistic society.”

Earlier this year, Reiner backed Bruce Springsteen as the musician sparred with Donald Trump and made a point to encourage people to look at the bigger picture, rather than the theatrics of the moment. “Millions of people died so that fascism wouldn’t come to our shores, so that we’d preserve our democracy, and 80 years later, we’re faced with a possible fascist takeover,” he told Rolling Stone in May. “We’re gonna fight hard to make sure that that doesn’t happen.… We have to keep Trump’s feet to the fire, because for the countries that have become autocracies, for the most part, it takes years to start changing the constitution, to start changing the electorate, to make the disinformation take hold.”

“Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass shared in a statement on X. “An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in service of others.”
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Bass highlighted Reiner’s contribution to the creation of First 5 California, an organization founded in 1998 to redirect a portion of funds from tobacco sales to early childhood development resources in local communities. She also noted, “He and Michele fought for early childhood development and marriage equality, working to overturn Proposition 8. They were true champions for LGBTQ+ rights.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom echoed these sentiments in his statement. “Rob was a passionate advocate for children and for civil rights — from taking on Big Tobacco, fighting for marriage equality, to serving as a powerful voice in early education. He made California a better place through his good works,” he said on X. “Rob will be remembered for his remarkable filmography and for his extraordinary contribution to humanity.”

Newsom added, “Rob was the big-hearted genius behind so many of the classic stories we love, with projects as wide-ranging as The Princess Bride to A Few Good Men. His boundless empathy made his stories timeless, teaching generations how to see goodness and righteousness in others — and encouraging us to dream bigger.”
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Bill and Hillary Clinton shared a joint statement on social media, writing, “Hillary and I are heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our friends Rob and Michele Reiner. They inspired and uplifted millions through their work in film and television. And they were good, generous people who made everyone who knew them better through their active citizenship in defense of inclusive democracy, setting an example for us all to follow. Hillary and I will always be grateful for their friendship, unfailing kindness, and support.”

Senator Elizabeth Warren shared a photo with Reiner on X with the caption, “I was devastated to hear about the loss of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer. Rob is a generational talent that used his voice to advocate for a better world. We live in a better country because of them. They will be missed.”