From Meathead to Mr. Director

Over the past decade Rob Reiner has established a reputation as one of Hollywood’s best fea ture directors. Yet to thousands of Americans he is still “Meathead,” Archie Bunker’s liberal son-in-law Mike Stivic on CBS’ landmark sitcom “All in the Family.”

For those unfamiliar with Reiner’s life beyond Meathead, consider his feature film work both in front of and behind the camera, all available on video.

THE ACTOR

A young, rather plump Reiner can be seen in bit roles in two of his father Carl’s movies: the 1966 autobiographical comedy Enter Laughing (RCA/Columbia) and the outrageous 1970 comedy Where’s Poppa? (Baker & Taylor Video).

Reiner also co-starred in the acclaimed 1974 TV-movie Thursday’s Game (Vidmark). He appeared in Shelley Duvall’s Tall Tales and Legends: Johnny Appleseed (RCA/Columbia). His most recent film appearance was last year in Mike Nichols’ comedy Postcards From the Edge (RCA/Columbia).

THE DIRECTOR

Reiner also co-starred in his feature directorial debut, the riotous 1984 mock documentary This Is Spinal Tap (Nelson).

Reiner followed up “Spinal Tap” with the 1985 comedy The Sure Thing (Nelson).

After the two comedies, Reiner directed the acclaimed 1986 drama Stand by Me (RCA/Columbia), based on Stephen King’s short story “The Body.”

“Stand by Me” was also Reiner’s first box-office hit and garnered him a Directors’ Guild of America nomination for best director.

Critics and audiences were mixed about Reiner’s next film, 1987’s The Princess Bride (Nelson).

Two years later, Reiner hit pay dirt with the Nora Ephron comedy When Harry Met Sally . . . (Nelson Entertainment) for which he received another DGA nomination.

Reiner made a 360-degree switch with his latest film, 1990’s Misery (Nelson Entertainment).