Rob Reiner’s “All In The Family” Co-Star, Sally Struthers, Shares Devastation Over His Death
on Dec 16, 2025
Rob Reiner’s History On All In The Family
Sally Struthers is remembering her former co-star, Rob Reiner, following his tragic death at the age of 78.
Rob rose to fame through his performance on the 1970s sitcom All in the Family. He played Michael “Meathead” Stivic, the hippie husband of Gloria Bunker Stivic (played by Sally Struthers) and son-in-law to Archie and Edith Bunker.
Archie and Michael often found themselves at odds because of their differing worldviews and political opinions. This dynamic generated many of the central conflicts on the show.
Michael and Gloria eventually welcomed a son, named Joey. The couple split by the end of the sitcom’s eighth season, and Gloria got her own spin-off show.
Rob won two Primetime Emmy Awards during his time on All in the Family. He appeared in a total of 174 episodes.
Rob Reiner And His Wife, Michele, Were Killed In Their California Home
After All in the Family, Reiner became renowned for his work behind the camera. He helmed some of the most iconic films released in the 1980s and 1990s, including The Princess Bride, A Few Good Men, and When Harry Met Sally.
His last directorial project, a sequel to his cult classic film This Is Spinal Tap, was released earlier this year (2025).
On December 14, Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found deceased in their home in Brentwood, California. The news came as a shock to Rob’s fans and those who knew the couple personally.
Eventually, the LAPD shared their determination that Rob and Michele were the victims of homicide.
The LAPD also announced that the couple’s 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, had been arrested in connection with their deaths. A statement the LAPD shared on December 15 revealed their investigation led them to conclude Nick “was responsible.”
Police announced on December 16 that Nick Reiner will be formally charged with murdering his parents.
LAPD News: Detectives Announce Arrest in Murder of Robert and Michele Reiner pic.twitter.com/0Mn7P81GVA
— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) December 15, 2025
Sally Struthers Reacts To Rob Reiner’s Death
Sally Struthers, who’s now the last surviving core cast member of All in the Family, reacted to Rob Reiner’s death in a statement she provided to Deadline. She said:
“There are no words. This is beyond devastating and my heart is with their family.”
Sally previously offered some insight into her and Rob’s relationship during an April 2025 interview with Celebrity Drop. She said they kept in touch for a bit after All in the Family wrapped up.
“He would call me every once in a while,” Sally said. “And he wouldn’t say hello. He would just start a joke, and then he’d say it, and then he’d hang up.”
Those calls eventually stopped. She saw him again years later at a premiere.
“I went running toward him, screaming, ‘Robby!'” Sally remembered. “And he put his hand out ahead of me, really stiffly like the Tin Man, shook my hand, keeping me as far away from him as possible. He, speaking robotically, said, ‘Hello, Sally. Nice to see you, Sally.’ I was horrified.”
Sally guessed that Rob wanted his wife, Michele, to feel comfortable about their relationship. She assumed he wanted to be clear that he wasn’t romantically interested in her (Sally), despite their characters’ connection on All in the Family.
“Friendships can change, not just in show business,” Sally remarked. “People can ghost you, and you don’t know why. Just things change. They turn on a dime, and you have to just let it go.”
Sally and Rob finally reunited at the 2024 Emmy Awards to pay tribute to All in the Family‘s creator, Norman Lear (who died in December 2023).
“Over the decades, Norman brought us together, and he created groundbreaking television shows that depicted real people who made us laugh, made us think, made us feel,” Rob said.
Watch the former co-stars’ Emmys tribute below.
@justin.fairy.prince #Rob #Reiner #Sally #Struthers #75th #Primetime #Emmy #Awards #RobReiner #SallyStruthers #75thPrimetimeEmmyAwards ♬ original sound – Justin Fairy Prince
In addition to Sally Struthers, other celebrities who’ve honored Rob Reiner following his death include Kevin Bacon, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Demi Moore, and the cast of The Princess Bride (which Rob directed).
See more stars’ tributes to Rob below.
