In 1971, on only the fifth-ever episode of iconic American sitcom "All in the Family," actors Rob Reiner and Anthony Geary appeared together. Fifty-four years later, both men would die on the same day at age 78.
Hollywood is mourning the death of comedy director and actor Reiner and "General Hospital" legend Geary this week, after news of their Dec. 14 deaths reached the public. And fans of Reiner's early-career work on "Family" might remember that Geary appeared on the sitcom in its first season as a friend of Reiner's character, Mike, a.k.a. Meathead.
Reiner became famous for his role on the Norman Lear-produced comedy, which centered on the working-class Bunker family in Queens, New York, for nine seasons on CBS. In Geary's early episode, the future soap star played quirky, effeminate Roger, who openly bigoted patriarch Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor) assumes is gay because of the way he dresses and acts. Roger isn't gay, but Archie soon finds out one of his own best friends actually is.
The episode, titled "Judging Books by Covers," is available to stream on Pluto TV and Tubi, alongside the rest of the episodes of "Family."
Reiner and his wife Michele Singer, 68, were found dead in their Brentwood home Sunday afternoon, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said in a Monday press conference. Their son, Nick Reiner, was taken into police custody and "booked for murder," McDonnell said. Although Reiner started as an actor and garnered dozens of performing credits to his name, he transitioned to directing and created beloved films including "This Is Spinal Tap," "Stand by Me," "The Princess Bride," "Misery," "A Few Good Men" and "When Harry Met Sally ..." He cast his mother as an extra in the rom-com classic for a scene at a New York deli where Meg Ryan faked an orgasm.
