In 1971, on only the fifth-ever episode of iconic American sitcom “All in the Family,” actors Rob Reiner and Anthony Geary appeared together. Fifty-four years later, both men would die on the same day at age 78.
Hollywood is mourning the death of comedy director and actor Reiner and “General Hospital” legend Geary this week, after news of their Dec. 14 deaths reached the public. And fans of Reiner’s early-career work on “Family” might remember that Geary appeared on the sitcom in its first season as a friend of Reiner’s character, Mike, a.k.a. Meathead.
Reiner became famous for his role on the Norman Lear-produced comedy, which centered on the working-class Bunker family in Queens, New York, for nine seasons on CBS. In Geary’s early episode, the future soap star played quirky, effeminate Roger, who openly bigoted patriarch Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor) assumes is gay because of the way he dresses and acts. Roger isn’t gay, but Archie soon finds out one of his own best friends actually is.
In the 1971 “All in the Family” episode “Judging Books by Covers,” Anthony Geary, left, stars as Roger, alongside Rob Reiner as Michael Stivic and Carroll O’Connor as Archie Bunker.
The episode, titled “Judging Books by Covers,” is available to stream on Pluto TV and Tubi, alongside the rest of the episodes of “Family.”
Reiner and his wife Michele Singer, 68, were found dead in their Brentwood home Sunday afternoon, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said in a Monday press conference. Their son, Nick Reiner, was taken into police custody and “booked for murder,” McDonnell said. Although Reiner started as an actor and garnered dozens of performing credits to his name, he transitioned to directing and created beloved films including “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Stand by Me,” “The Princess Bride,” “Misery,” “A Few Good Men” and “When Harry Met Sally …” He cast his mother as an extra in the rom-com classic for a scene at a New York deli where Meg Ryan faked an orgasm.
Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career.
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Rob Reiner speaks onstage at Collider’s Directors On Directing Panel during 2025 Comic-Con International: San Diego at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2025.
Live updates: Rob Reiner, wife Michele Singer dead, son Nick arrested
Geary died Sunday, Dec. 14, after complications from surgery, according to TV Insider. The actor was best known for playing Luke Spencer on “General Hospital,” originating the soap opera character in 1978 and playing him until he retired in 2015. Luke’s 1981 wedding to Laura Collins (Genie Francis) was watched by 30 million people, making it the most-watched soap opera episode in history.
See Anthony Geary’s top ‘General Hospital’ moments, more career photos
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John Stamos (left) and Anthony Geary pose during Stamos’ induction ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Nov. 16, 2009.
Remembering Anthony Geary: Soap star, known as Luke Spencer from ‘General Hospital,’ dies at 78
Geary’s husband, Claudio Gama, told TV Insider: “It was a shock for me and our families and our friends. For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband.”
Contributing: USA TODAY Staff
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rob Reiner, Anthony Geary: ‘All in the Family’ actors die on same day