😭 “His five words changed my life completely…”

Harry Connick Jr. just shared a tear-jerking story: One phone call from Rob Reiner back in 1988 – when he was only 21 – completely transformed his career, launching the legendary soundtrack for ‘When Harry Met Sally…’

But the truly emotional moment? When Reiner smiled in the studio, hit the talkback button, and said exactly five words that let Harry know he had nailed the defining take.

Now, in the midst of unimaginable grief, Connick opens up about how his “brilliant, generous” friend turned a young guy’s dream into a Grammy, millions of albums sold, and a lifelong legacy.

“He changed my life… and I’ll be forever grateful.”

This heartfelt mentor story will hit you right in the feels…

Click to read Harry Connick Jr.’s full emotional tribute to Rob Reiner. 👇

In a deeply personal essay published days after the tragic deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, Grammy-winning musician and actor Harry Connick Jr. reflected on the life-altering moment when a single phone call from the legendary director set his career on an unstoppable trajectory, culminating in the iconic soundtrack for the 1989 romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally…”

Connick, now 58, penned the tribute for Rolling Stone on December 18, 2025, describing Reiner as a “brilliant, generous gentleman” whose trust and vision propelled a 21-year-old jazz pianist from New Orleans into international stardom. “He did something for me — he changed my life — and I’ll be forever grateful,” Connick wrote. “Thank you, Mr. Reiner. You’ll always be in my heart.”

The story begins in 1988, when Connick was visiting his father in New Orleans after moving to New York two years earlier. His dad called out jokingly, “June! Meathead’s on the phone,” referencing Reiner’s famous “All in the Family” character Archie Bunker’s son-in-law. To Connick’s shock, it really was Reiner – recommended by drummer Bobby Colomby, a friend of the director and former member of Blood, Sweat & Tears, who had passed along a tape of Connick’s music.

Reiner, impressed by Connick’s young Frank Sinatra-like vocals, invited him to Los Angeles to provide solo piano underscoring for his new film, then tentatively titled “Harry, This Is Sally.” Connick admitted he “had no idea what that meant,” but rushed to tell his father the news and boarded a plane to L.A.

Upon arrival, Connick found himself in a studio facing a large screen, with Reiner guiding him through scenes featuring stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. Using simple visual cues – a green strip to start playing and a red strip to stop – Reiner encouraged the young musician to improvise freely. “Play anything you want,” Reiner told him. Connick recalled the magic of syncing his notes perfectly with the actors’ dialogue, wondering, “How did Mr. Reiner know that would work?”

The collaboration expanded far beyond the initial piano tracks. Contractual issues with other artists led Reiner to ask Connick to handle all the vocal performances for the soundtrack album, arranging standards with collaborator Marc Shaiman. Connick performed with his trio, solo, or a full big band and orchestra – experiences he had never had before, like singing with a large ensemble.

One standout moment came during the recording of the film’s signature song, “It Had to Be You.” After laying down the orchestral tracks, Connick stood alone at the microphone for vocals. Reiner pushed him to hit a challenging high note at the end – “really high for me,” Connick noted. As he nailed the take that would become the final version, he saw Reiner smiling through the control room glass before pressing the talkback button with an enthusiastic endorsement that sealed the moment.

That night, from his room at the Sunset Marquis hotel, an excited Connick called his father, holding one side of his Sony Walkman headphones to the phone to play the recording. His dad loved it, and when asked what Reiner thought, Connick replied giddily, “I think he liked it.”

Connick also recalled Reiner’s sage advice during their time together: “If you ever want to do anything in this business, do it yourself. Don’t expect anyone to do anything for you.” He reflected on the rarity of Reiner’s approach – kind, patient, clear, yet loud, strong, precise, and deliberate in the studio.

The soundtrack, released by Columbia Records in July 1989 alongside the film, became a phenomenon. Featuring Connick’s fresh takes on classics like “Love Is Here to Stay,” “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” “But Not for Me,” and multiple versions of “It Had to Be You,” it topped Billboard’s Traditional Jazz chart and cracked the Top 50 of the Billboard 200. It earned Connick his first Grammy for Best Jazz Male Vocal Performance and eventually achieved double-platinum status, shifting millions of copies after he had previously sold only thousands.

The album’s success launched extensive North American tours and cemented Connick as a major artist, blending jazz standards with big-band energy in a way that appealed to new generations. Critics and fans alike praised how his youthful Sinatra-esque style perfectly complemented Nora Ephron’s witty screenplay and Reiner’s deft direction, elevating the film – which grossed over $92 million on a modest budget – into a timeless rom-com classic.

Connick’s tribute comes amid profound grief for the entertainment community following the December 14, 2025, discovery of Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, stabbed to death in their Brentwood home. Their son, Nick Reiner, 32, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances. The case, involving Nick’s history of schizophrenia and addiction, remains under investigation as the family navigates unimaginable loss.

Connick had previously shared an emotional Instagram video mourning the couple, saying his “heart is broken” and sending love to their family. His Rolling Stone piece expands on that, focusing on Reiner’s mentorship while avoiding direct mention of the tragedy’s details.

Other Hollywood figures have echoed similar sentiments. Billy Crystal called Reiner his “brother,” while tributes highlighted the director’s range from “The Princess Bride” to “A Few Good Men.” The soundtrack’s enduring popularity – still streamed heavily during holidays – underscores Reiner’s instinct in spotting Connick’s talent.

In interviews over the years, Connick has repeatedly credited “When Harry Met Sally…” as his professional breakthrough, noting it transformed him from a niche jazz artist into a household name, paving the way for acting roles in films like “Independence Day” and TV stints as an “American Idol” judge.

Reiner, son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, built his own legacy co-founding Castle Rock Entertainment and directing billion-dollar hits. His collaboration with Connick exemplified his collaborative spirit – trusting young talent and fostering creativity.

As the industry prepares potential larger memorials, Connick’s words capture a brighter chapter: a phone call that sparked magic, five words that sealed approval, and a partnership that changed lives. In Connick’s view, Reiner wasn’t just a director – he was the rare mentor who believed in doing it yourself, while generously lifting others up.

The “When Harry Met Sally…” soundtrack remains a staple, its jazz-infused romance timeless. For Connick, it will forever evoke gratitude to the man who made it possible.