Rob Reiner Talks About Keeping Marriage Spark Alive In Interview

Jan 11, 2020

Rob Reiner, an actor and a filmmaker who is most well-known for his acting role on It's All In The Family and for directing When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride, has been married to his wife, Michele Singer, for 30 years. Rob's parents were married for 65 years and recently Rob shared some sweet tips about how to keep a marriage going.

During an interview with AARP to talk about his movie And So It Goes, he said that a couple needs to develop a unique ritual that only they share, for example, something special they do every anniversary or Valentine's day.

His second tip involved selecting the right person to marry in the first place. Not just someone you are attracted to or enjoy being around, but someone you can stand to be around in the worst of times, like when that person is sad, angry, or depressed.

He then shared a third tip, don't be afraid to change your plans and re-write your ending. He was previously married for ten years, divorced, and was then single for about ten years before meeting and marrying the love of his life, Michele Singer. He said it took him some time to realize that yes, he could move on and be with someone else. This realization was what sparked not only his marriage but also a complete re-write of the ending of When Harry Met Sally.

His fourth tip was to realize that loving someone could change you for the better. This is a theme he commonly introduces into his movies, where he depicts men who have fallen in love and then learn how to develop into better men under the guidance of the woman they have developed relationships with. He stated that his relationship with Michele Singer had definitely allowed him to grow and develop.

His final tips weren't really related to relationships but rather involve how he came up with the idea behind And So It Goes. He was working with Jack Nicholson on The Bucket List and the press was constantly asking them what was on their bucket lists. Jack Nicolson came up with the answer "one more great romance," which led to the development of And So It Goes. Rob's final tip? "listen to Jack Nicholson."

Michele Springer, his wife of 30 years, is a noted photographer. The couple had three children together, and Rob also adopted the daughter of his first wife. Rob and Michele are noted for their progressive activism and are co-founders of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which was instrumental in the fight for the right to engage in same-sex marriages.

If you think someone in your life could use some tips for how to create a long-lasting relationship, this list could be just what they need.