Did Martin Scorsese Honor Rob Reiner and His Wife?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Martin Scorsese pays tribute to friends Rob and Michele Reiner.
- The couple was tragically murdered on December 14.
- Nick Reiner has been charged with their murder.
- Scorsese reminisces about their friendship and shared experiences.
- Rob Reiner's legacy includes iconic films like ‘Misery’ and ‘This Is Spinal Tap’.
Los Angeles, Dec 26 (NationPress) Acclaimed director Martin Scorsese has expressed his sorrow over the tragic deaths of the Reiners, who were discovered murdered.
The Reiners, aged 78 and 70, were tragically found deceased in their Brentwood residence on December 14, suffering from knife injuries. Their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been apprehended and faces two charges of murder, according to reports from Variety.
In an emotional essay featured in The New York Times, Scorsese reflected, “Rob Reiner was my friend, as was Michele. From this moment forward, I must speak of them in the past tense, a notion that deeply saddens me. Yet, there is no alternative.”
According to Variety, Scorsese first connected with Rob Reiner shortly after relocating to Los Angeles in the early 1970s, attending gatherings hosted by George Memmoli, filled with comedians and actors.
Reiner hailed from a legendary show business family, with his parents being the illustrious performers Carl and Estelle Reiner.
Scorsese further reminisced, “Both Rob and I were, in a sense, Eastern transplants. This was pure New York humor, which permeated the atmosphere I thrived in. I immediately enjoyed my time with Rob. We shared an innate bond. He was incredibly funny and sometimes sharply witty, yet he never dominated the room.”
“Rob possessed a remarkable sense of unrestrained joy, savoring each moment of life, coupled with a hearty laugh. When he was honored at Lincoln Center, Michael McKean delivered a brilliant parody of formal tribute speeches. Before he reached the punchline, Rob's laughter echoed throughout the auditorium,” he added.
Among Scorsese’s favorite films directed by Reiner is ‘Misery’, which he praised as “a uniquely crafted film, superbly performed by Kathy Bates and James Caan.”
He also remarked that ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ stands “in a league of its own, a flawless masterpiece.” When casting for his 2013 film ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’, Scorsese “instantly thought of Rob” to portray the father of Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Jordan Belfort.