Michael Douglas And Rob Reiner Bonded Over Unique Shared Pain

The following article includes mention of substance abuse and violence. 

Michael Douglas and the late Rob Reiner worked together on a number of films over the years, but work wasn't the only thing they bonded over. The two also became close because of some of the tougher things they had in common, like being the sons of Hollywood icons and trying to make it on their own in show business.

For those who weren't aware, both Michael and Rob had famous parents. Michael is the son of Kirk Douglas and Diana Dill, while Rob's parents were Estelle Reiner and Carl Reiner. Certainly, there are some benefits to growing up with famous parents, but as Michael wrote in his memoir "One Helluva Ride," there were also drawbacks. Of their early relationship while they worked together on "Summertree," Michael recalled, "Rob and I had spent a lot of time talking about the challenges of growing up as second generation Hollywood figures and dealing with the large shadows our fathers' careers had cast" (via People). In 2018, Rob spoke to The Guardian about those conversations. "We've talked about this a lot. It's not painless — there's a lot of struggle with all the identity stuff you go through," he said. That said, Rob did also acknowledge that both he and Michael had made it even with those challenges, which is something that often can't be said of the children of Hollywood icons. "We were saying you can count on one hand people whose parents achieved at a very high level and whose children also achieved. So it definitely binds us and I think that's why we enjoy working together," he said. 

In addition to "Summertree," Michael and Rob also worked together on "The American President" and "And So It Goes." However, there would be more parallels between the stars yet. 

Sadly for Rob Reiner and Michael Douglas, another thing they had to bond over was their respective sons' experiences with addiction. Though they didn't speak about it before Rob and his wife Michele Reiner's tragic deaths – their son Nick Reiner was accused of their murders – Michael told CBS News in the days that followed, "We did talk a lot about that and what you can do as a parent, what you can't do" (via E! News). Michael also added of Rob, "This was a man who always gave it his best ... with this terrible tragedy, we're realizing how much pressure he was dealing with in his personal life with his son."

While Michael only opened up about the conversations he and Rob had had after the killings, both men spoke extensively about their sons' journeys to sobriety in general. Rob actually collaborated with his son Nick on the film "Being Charlie," sharing in a 2016 "Today" appearance, "The process of making this film not only forced me to see what he was experiencing, but I think it forced him to see what I went through and what his mother went through." Similarly, in 2019, Michael's son released his memoir, "Long Way Home," and on "The View," Michael spoke about encouraging him to write it. That said, like Rob, Michael was open about the impact Cameron Douglas' addiction had on him and the rest of the family, sharing in "One Helluva Ride," "Even though I had been to rehab myself, I didn't fully understand addiction" (via OK! USA). 

Given all the parallels between them, we have no doubts Rob and Michele's deaths affected Michael in a very big way, and our hearts go out to him. 

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).