Antonio Villaraigosa on Friendship with Rob Reiner and His Legacy

Remembering Rob Reiner

• 💔 Antonio Villaraigosa expressed horror and disbelief upon hearing about the death of his friend, Rob Reiner.
• 😔 The circumstances of Reiner's death, described as a grizzly murder, have led to painful headlines that Villaraigosa feels may overshadow Reiner's true legacy.

Reiner's Commitment to Early Childhood Development

• 🤝 Villaraigosa first met Rob and Michelle Reiner in the mid-90s through the “I Am Your Child” campaign, focused on early child development.
• 💰 Later, Reiner asked Villaraigosa, then Speaker of the California State Assembly, to chair his Prop 10 campaign, which aimed to fund early child development through a tobacco tax.
• ✨ Reiner is described as a man with a big and generous heart, dedicated to causes beyond his Hollywood career.

Reiner's Activism and Philosophy

• 🌍 Villaraigosa believes Reiner embodied the Jewish concept of “tikkun olam” (repair of the world), using politics as a tool for positive change.
• ⚖️ Reiner felt a responsibility to use his success to help the least fortunate and those without his level of wealth or privilege.
• 🎭 Beyond his roles in iconic films like “When Harry Met Sally” and “The Princess Bride,” Reiner was a significant political activist.

Response to Political Attacks

• 🗣️ Villaraigosa criticized President Trump's comments following Reiner's death, calling them pathetic and lacking decency.
• 🕊️ He emphasized that there is no place for political violence or for individuals who