Harry Connick Jr. credits his career to the late Rob Reiner, thanks to their collaboration on “When Harry Met Sally” — an experience he says ultimately changed his life.
Less than a week after the beloved director was found brutally murdered along with his wife, Michele, Connick Jr. penned a tribute for Rolling Stone, remembering Reiner as “a brilliant, generous gentleman” during their work on the 1989 classic.
Connick Jr., 58, recalled being just 21 years old when Reiner invited him to Los Angeles to “play some solo piano underscoring for the film” — something he admits he didn’t understand at the time.
Upon arriving at the studio in L.A., Reiner told him to sit down at a piano in front of a screen and play “anything you want” when the movie starts to roll. As a scene began to play, that’s when the young musician realized, “There was no music. Holy crap. This was my job.”
“I played improvised pieces for scene after scene. Mr. Reiner guided me through each one, pushing and pulling me to connect with what was unfolding on the screen,” he wrote. “I was scared of him — he was so precise with his vision — but he was also kind, patient and clear.”
Connick Jr. marveled at Reiner entrusting him with not just the soundtrack and score, but giving him autonomy for both.
“Who was this man? He was letting me sing and play anything I wanted. Was every film like this? Did every director work this way? Turns out, no. He was the rarest of rare,” he shared.
The soundtrack, for which Connick Jr. sang and played every song, catapulted his career and won him his first Grammy for Best Jazz Male Vocal Performance.
He also recalled some wise advice he received from Reiner: “If you ever want to do anything in this business, do it yourself. Don’t expect anyone to do anything for you.”
“True, unless it involved Rob Reiner,” Connick Jr. wrote. “He did something for me — he changed my life — and I’ll be forever grateful.”
Nick Reiner, Rob and Michele’s 32-year-old son, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with their deaths. He remains in solitary confinement on suicide watch, with sources saying he’s “struggling with mental health concerns.”
Nick — who reportedly has schizophrenia, exacerbated by his longstanding substance abuse — is currently scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 7.
