NEED TO KNOW
- Danielle Brisebois, who played Stephanie Mills on All in the Family, remembers Rob Reiner as someone who “inspired and enlightened”
- Brisebois, then a 9-year-old child actor, says, “I recognized how unique and funny he was”
- “He was a true artist who was not afraid,” says Brisebois of the 79-year-old writer, actor and director
Danielle Brisebois was just 9 years old when she met Rob Reiner on the groundbreaking series All In The Family in 1978, joining the legendary cast of Carroll O. Connor, who played Archie Bunker; Jean Stapleton, as his long suffering wife, Edith; Reiner, who played Mike Stivic (better known as “Meathead”) and Sally Struthers as the Bunkers’ daughter, Gloria.
“I have no real words to express the gravity of this tragedy,” she says of Reiner, who was killed on Dec. 14, along with his wife Michelle, at their Brentwood home. Their son, Nick Reiner has has been taken into custody and is being held on no bail.
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Of working with Reiner, she says, “I was only a child so it was more of a great vibe and respect working with him. He treated me as a peer and I of course recognized how unique and funny he was.”
Reiner became famous for his role as Mike on the 1970s classic Norman Lear sitcom All in the Family. After leaving the series, he became a successful director, with iconic films including This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally… and A Few Good Men.
“He was a true artist who was not afraid,” continues Brisebois. “And spoke truth to his heart in his life and his art. Giving us all the chance to be inspired and enlightened, but doing it with humor and love. He inspired me in many ways to follow my heart, too. His advocacy for those who needed his voice was unparalleled and changed the world.”
Brisebois remained with the show as it continued into Archie Bunker’s Place, and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1982. She left acting in the ’80s and became a singer-songwriter. She was also a co-writer and producer of Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten,” among other songs, including the Oscar-nominated “Lost Stars” sung by Adam Levine. She remains imprinted by Reiner’s talent and heart, and says, “He inspired and enlightened, but did it with humor and love. My heart goes out to his family.”