Jerry Seinfeld Shares Untold Story of How Rob Reiner Saved His Show From Cancellation

Jerry Seinfeld recently paid a touching tribute to the late director and producer Rob Reiner, revealing a pivotal moment in television history. Following the tragic news that Reiner and his wife, Michele, were found dead in their home, Seinfeld took to Instagram to honor the filmmaking icon.

In his post, the comedian shared a photograph of himself with Rob and his father, the legendary Carl Reiner. He described Rob as having the “biggest influence” on his career, right alongside Seinfeld co-creator Larry David and manager George Shapiro.

According to Seinfeld, the hit sitcom would simply never have existed without Reiner’s intervention. He explained that Reiner saw potential in the project when no one else could.

During the show’s earliest days, the pilot and initial episodes tested poorly with audiences and network executives. NBC was reportedly on the verge of cancelling the series before it could gain any traction.

Rob Reiner, whose company Castle Rock Entertainment produced the show, stepped in to advocate for it. In a past interview on The Howard Stern Show, Reiner recalled begging NBC executive Brandon Tartikoff not to pull the plug.

Reiner argued passionately that despite the show just being “people sitting around talking,” it had a unique quality that would eventually resonate with viewers. He promised the network that the stories would come and that cancelling it would be a mistake.

Seinfeld admitted in his tribute that he was “naive at the time” and did not fully understand how much Reiner’s passion meant for their survival. He credits that support with saving the show from being scrapped entirely.

Beyond their professional relationship, Seinfeld also admired Rob and Michele’s marriage. He noted that the couple wed just as his show was starting and became a personal model for how a partnership should work.

The comedian concluded by expressing his deep sadness over their sudden deaths. He stated that the loss of both Rob and Michele together is “impossibly sad.”

Seinfeld runs from 1989 to 1998 and is now considered one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. It is a legacy that, as Jerry confirmed, owes its existence to Rob Reiner’s early faith in the project.

We would love to hear your favorite memories of Rob Reiner’s work or the show Seinfeld; please share your thoughts in the comments.