The entertainment world recently mourned the loss of acclaimed director and actor Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer. While Reiner is celebrated for his directorial masterpieces, his acting career included memorable roles in projects like Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street. In a past interview, Reiner opened up about his hilarious reaction to the film's now-iconic drug scenes and his experience working under Scorsese's direction.
"I Was Dying": Reiner's Reaction to the Quaaludes Scene
During a cast reunion and Q&A session for the film, Rob Reiner was asked about his thoughts on The Wolf of Wall Street. He admitted that while he had read the script, he wasn't sure what to expect from the final product. His worries, however, were quickly put to rest. Reiner confessed he found the movie "really good" and was exceptionally pleased after watching it.
He specifically highlighted the uproarious sequence featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill under the influence of Quaaludes. "The scene with you guys with the Quaaludes is one of the funniest set pieces I have ever seen in the movies. I was just dying," Reiner told his co-stars, recalling his uncontrollable laughter.
Playing DiCaprio's Father and Scorsese's Collaborative Genius
Reiner also shared the amusing story of how he was cast. When longtime friend Martin Scorsese called him for a role, Reiner was surprised to learn he would be playing the father of Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Jordan Belfort. His immediate, humorous reaction was to question which part was more unbelievable: "That he's a Jew or that I am his father." He went on to praise DiCaprio's performance in the role.
The actor-director reserved significant praise for Scorsese's unique working style. He explained that being on Scorsese's set revealed the director's secret to great filmmaking: "The fun that he creates and the atmosphere that lets you be free." Reiner revealed that a substantial amount of the film was improvised, crediting the comfortable environment Scorsese fostered. "He is a great person to work for because he makes a great playground," he concluded.
A Blast Working with a Legendary Cast
Wrapping up his reflections, Rob Reiner stated he had an absolute "blast" working with Leonardo DiCaprio, whom he considers one of the greatest actors of all time. The film, directed by Martin Scorsese, boasted an ensemble cast including DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Jon Bernthal, Jon Favreau, and Cristin Milioti alongside Reiner.
This candid look back provides a cherished glimpse into the creative process behind one of Hollywood's most memorable satires and underscores the collaborative spirit that Scorsese is renowned for, as remembered by a respected peer like Rob Reiner.
