Reiner created, executive produced, and wrote for several short-lived TV series and acted in four forgettable films before making an hilarious feature directing (and screenwriting) debut with "This Is Spinal Tap" (1984), a mock "rockumentary" that parodied filmmakers' reverence for rock stars. Featuring himself as film director "Martin DiBergi", a wicked spoof of Martin Scorsese in "The Last Waltz" (1978), the satire received universally good reviews, yet when he had ventured out into the executive suites of Hollywood asking for the chance to helm it, his 'Meathead' persona had prevented people from taking him seriously. Fortunately, Lear saved the day, supplying the money to finance not only "Spinal Tap" but subsequent films as well. Though "The Sure Thing" (1986) was utterly predictable, Reiner's less distinctive but pleasant follow-up to "Spinal Tap" was an amiable teen road movie that evoked screwball comedies of old, setting the tone for his sharply funny, ostensibly adult feel-good fare to come.

"Stand By Me" (1986), one of Reiner's best films, marked his first collaboration with Stephen King, whose non-horror novella "The Body" served as its basis. Narrated by Richard Dreyfuss and boasting superb, fresh young faces like Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix and Kiefer Sutherland, the film offered an affectionate slice of 50s Americana in its story of four boys who set out on a search for the body of a dead teenager and learn powerful life lessons along the way. He continued establishing his reputation as one of Hollywood's most reliable, consistently commercial directors with his producing debut, "The Princess Bride" (1987), a quirky fairy tale and comic swashbuckler demonstrating his versatility within yet another genre. Reiner co-founded Castle Rock Enterta