Filmmaker Martin Scorsese has honored his late friend Rob Reiner in a poignant tribute published in The New York Times. Reiner, alongside his wife Michele Reiner, tragically passed away earlier this month due to a violent incident involving their son, Nick Reiner. Scorsese expressed his profound sadness, stating, “From now on, I’ll have to use the past tense, and that fills me with such profound sadness.”
Reflecting on their friendship, Scorsese recalled their first meeting in the early 1970s. He described Reiner as someone with whom he shared “a natural affinity.” The famed director appreciated Reiner’s humor, noting, “He was hilarious and sometimes bitingly funny, but he was never the kind of guy who would take over the room.” Scorsese admired Reiner’s ability to embrace life fully, describing his “beautiful sense of uninhibited freedom” and his “great barreling laugh.”
Shared Memories and Lasting Impact
Scorsese reminisced about their shared experiences as fellow New York transplants in Hollywood, highlighting memorable moments, including a joke Reiner made to the tune of War’s hit “The Cisco Kid.” He also mentioned casting Reiner in the acclaimed film The Wolf of Wall Street and a humorous exchange during a Kennedy Center tribute.
Among Reiner’s films, Scorsese noted that his personal favorite is Misery, which features stellar performances by Kathy Bates and James Caan. He praised the film for its exceptional acting and storytelling. Scorsese further celebrated This Is Spinal Tap, calling it “a kind of immaculate creation.” He emphasized that Reiner’s contributions as both director and actor played a significant role in the film’s greatness.
In closing, Scorsese expressed his struggle to come to terms with the tragedy that befell Reiner and his wife. He referred to their deaths as “an obscenity, an abyss in lived reality,” stating that acceptance would come only with time. “So, like all of their loved ones and their friends — and these were people with many, many friends — I have to be allowed to imagine them alive and well,” he wrote. Scorsese envisioned a future gathering where he would once again hear Reiner’s laughter and enjoy their friendship, feeling fortunate to have had him in his life.
Scorsese’s heartfelt tribute serves as a reminder of the deep connections forged in the film industry and the lasting impact of friendships that transcend time and tragedy.
