How Michele Singer Reiner, Rob Reiner’s wife, changed rom-com movies forever
Since the tragic news broke that director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, have died, tributes have been pouring in.
And amid the stories of kindness, compassion, and political action, one story stands out: How the couple’s chance first meeting altered the ending of the 1989 classic When Harry Met Sally—possibly the most beloved romantic comedy of all time.
Had the couple not met during filming, the movie’s memorable New Year’s Eve ending might’ve not been a part of the film at all.
During production of the iconic rom-com in New York City, photographer Michele Singer Reiner (then Michele Singer) stopped by the set. According to a 1989 New York Times article, the director, who was earlier divorced from Penny Marshall, spotted her and instantly felt moved.
“I look over and I see this girl, and ‘Whoo!’ I was attracted immediately,” Reiner told the news outlet.
The two were introduced by cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld, fell in........





















Toi Staff
Sabine Sterk
Gideon Levy
Penny S. Tee
Waka Ikeda
Grant Arthur Gochin
Daniel Orenstein
Beth Kuhel