Rob Reiner was the most gentle yet genius collaborator a child actor could ever wish for. A class act whose caring nature had a lasting impact on my life. As an adult, both my bandmate Gregg and I cherished running into Rob socially over the decades, whom always encouraged New Radicals ideas and activist spirit.
Whether ad-libbing backstage with Don Rickles and other comedy giants, or sharing worldview with Norman Lear whom gave Rob and I our big break, it was an honor to know Rob and his wife Michele who were stellar true blue Americans… in stark contrast to anyone politicizing such a tragic apparent convergence of mental illness, family grievances and likely greed catalyzing inner family abuse and violence against vulnerable trusting older parents.
It’s a story as old as time, that happens more often than we know, which has sadly now affected my life watching it happen to more than one family dear to me.
To that point, whether you’re in “Beverly Hills or Bloomfield Hills,” if you know of arrest merited domestic abusers or parents repeat targeted by unwell adult children, call the authorities or be complicit.
And God bless Rob for being truly one of “the good ones” who’s inspired the world. And also fought so hard to protect equal rights for all from those bigots, out there in force, whose only goal is to take American’s equal rights away. The world needs more Rob Reiner’s, and less Starbucks troll, now more than ever!
Danielle Brisebois is a former child actress and member of the New Radicals.
Carroll O’Connor, Dick Billingsley, Sally Struthers, Danielle Brisebois, Rob Reiner and Jean Stapleton on ‘All in the Family.’
CBS / Courtesy: Everett Collection