The final on-screen performance of director Rob Reiner, who died in December 2025, has been featured in the latest episode of Larry David's HBO Max series, "Life, Larry, And The Pursuit Of Unhappiness." Reiner portrayed George Washington in the second episode, filmed just one month before his death.
In the skit, Reiner's Washington announces he will not seek a third term as president, stating, "I believe that no man should serve more than two terms as president." He adds, "And I hope that future presidents will follow my lead." David, playing a colonist, questions what would happen if a future president disregarded this precedent and ran for a third term. Reiner responds that a constitutional amendment would prohibit it.
The dialogue then escalates with David posing a hypothetical scenario about a narcissistic president who ignores the Constitution, enriches his family, and uses military force against citizens to distract from his personal dealings. Jimmy Kimmel, also appearing as a colonist, questions whether such a president would challenge critics. David concludes the scene by describing such a figure as an "insecure, lying ahole." The scene ends with Reiner's character declaring, "We're f*ed."
This segment has been interpreted as a subtle commentary on former President Donald Trump's past remarks about potentially seeking a third term. The episode aired on July 3, coinciding with the Fourth of July weekend and the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Following the episode, an "In Memoriam" slide with Reiner's photo was displayed.
Rob and Michele Reiner were fatally stabbed in their Brentwood, California home on December 14, 2025. Their son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested and charged with their murders, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Director Jeff Shaffer recalled in an interview with Variety that he and David had requested Reiner shave his beard for the role of Washington, a request Reiner initially questioned but ultimately fulfilled.
Reiner was a celebrated director known for films such as "This Is Spinal Tap," "Stand by Me," "A Few Good Men," and "When Harry Met Sally." He and his wife, photographer Michele Singer, were married for 36 years and had three children: Jake, Nick, and Romy, along with an adopted daughter, Tracy.
Jake Reiner shared his experience of learning about his parents' deaths in an April Substack post, describing the profound shock and grief. He reflected on the milestones his parents would miss, including his wedding and future grandchildren. He also expressed sorrow for the fear his parents must have experienced in their final moments.
In June, Nick Reiner's civil attorneys filed a petition seeking unpaid funds from trusts established by his parents. The petition claims that trustees have denied him access to money he was entitled to, citing unspecified concerns about his competence. Nick Reiner is scheduled to return to court for a pretrial hearing in September for the murder charges. Prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.