The series finale of The Bear included a touching tribute to the late filmmaker Rob Reiner, leaving viewers emotionally devastated. Reiner, known for classics like The Princess Bride, Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, and Misery, was killed in December last year alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, in an alleged attack by their son, Nick Reiner.
The Tribute in the Finale
In the final episode of the fifth season, character Ebra, played by Edwin Lee Gibson, calls Albert Schnurr, Reiner's character, to share good news. After Albert's response is inaudible, Ebra replies, "As you wish"—a direct reference to Reiner's 1987 hit The Princess Bride, where the line was famously spoken by Cary Elwes' Westley.
Fans immediately recognized the homage. On Reddit, user Squirrelsback wrote, "I'm really, really happy with this season. The score, performances, writing, a happy ending, and how they handled Rob. RIP." AmazingArugula4441 called it "the only time I teared up during the finale," while Particular_Aspect439 described it as a "beautiful moment." Probably-not-thanks said they were "absolutely gutted" by the tribute, noting it was "the first choke-sob I've had in a long time." User duabrs simply commented, "It crushed me."
Reiner's Legacy and the Tragic Circumstances
Reiner was not only a celebrated director but also a prolific actor, appearing in his own Spinal Tap films and more recently in the fourth series of The Bear as the no-nonsense business consultant Albert Schnurr. His death, along with his wife's, sent shockwaves through the entertainment world.
Their son, Nick Reiner, 32, is currently awaiting trial for allegedly murdering his parents. He is being held without bail and has pleaded not guilty to two murder charges. Earlier this month, he filed a petition claiming he is owed over $1 million in inheritance money to hire an expensive lawyer. His next preliminary hearing is scheduled for September.
Martin Scorsese's Tribute
Among those paying tribute was director Martin Scorsese, who wrote in The New York Times: "What happened to Rob and Michele is an obscenity, an abyss in lived reality. The only thing that will help me to accept it is the passing of time." Scorsese praised Reiner's comedic talent and his ability to improvise, adding, "He could improvise with the best, he was a master at comedy, he worked beautifully with Leo and the rest of the guys, and he understood the human predicament of his character."
The tribute in The Bear served as a poignant farewell to a filmmaker whose work touched millions.
