Rob Reiner used his fame to advocate for progressive causes. ‘Just a really special man. A terrible day’

Rob Reiner was known to millions as a television actor and film director.

But the Brentwood resident, known for the classic films “Stand By Me” and “When Harry Met Sally,” was also a political force, an outspoken supporter of progressive causes and a Democratic Party activist who went beyond the typical role of celebrities staging glitzy fundraisers.

Reiner was deeply involved in issues he cared about, such as early childhood education and the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Reiner, 78, and his wife Michelle Singer Reiner were found dead in their home Sunday, prompting an outpouring of grief from those who worked with him for a variety of reasons.

Ace Smith — a veteran Democratic strategist for former Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Gov. Jerry Brown and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton — has known Reiner for decades. Reiner, he said, approached politics differently than most celebrities.

“Here is this unique person who really made the leap between entertainment and politics,” Smith said. “And he really took the time to understand politics in all its true depth and make a huge impact on California.”

Reiner was a co-founder of the American Equal Rights Foundation, an organization that successfully led the fight to repeal Proposition 8, the 2008 law banning same-sex marriage. He has been active in children's issues for many years, leading the campaign to pass Proposition 10, the California Children and Families Initiative, which created an ambitious program of early childhood development services.

Proposition 10 was considered a landmark in politics. In this case, Reiner enlisted the help of Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams and his father, comedy legend Carl Reiner.

“He wanted to make a difference. And he did it, and he did it in a deep way,” Smith said.

Following the passage of Proposition 10, Reiner was appointed Chairman of the California Commission on Children and Families, also known as the “California First Five.” He resigned from his post in early 2006, after the commission ran $23 million in ads touting the importance of early childhood education as Reiner was rallying support for Proposition 82.

The measure, which failed, would have taxed the wealthy to create universal preschool in California.

The director and his wife spent more than $6 million on the failed proposal. They have also donated significant sums to support national groups and Democratic candidates, including Jerry Brown, Gray Davis, Ed Rendell and Andrew Cuomo.

Bruce Fuller, a professor of education and public policy at the University of California, Berkeley, called Reiner “a caring and vigilant advocate for children. He has added prestige and money to California's movement to open preschool to tens of thousands of young families over the past quarter century.”

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has known Reiner since he was a state legislator in the 1990s, worked with him on Proposition 10 and was impressed with Reiner's support for the cause.

“He was a man with a good answer. It wasn't so much about politics, but he was always focused on the humanity among us,” Villaraigosa said. “When he got into a problem, he knew everything about it.”

“Just a special person. Horrible day,” the former mayor said.

Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement that she was “heartbroken” by the events of that day, noting that Reiner “has always used his gifts in the service of others.”

“Rob Reiner's contributions resonate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy while fighting for social and economic justice,” the mayor said.

“I keep everyone who loved Rob and Michelle in my heart,” Bass said.

Newsom added: “Rob was a passionate advocate for children and civil rights – from fighting big tobacco to fighting for marriage equality to being a powerful voice in early childhood education. He made California a better place through his good deeds.”

“Rob will be remembered for his remarkable filmography and outstanding contributions to humanity,” the governor said.