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‘Beverly Hillbillies’ Welcomed ‘All in the Family’ Star Rob Reiner for Two Episodes in 1969

He wasn’t always “All in the Family” when Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner was in front of the television camera. First, the actor-turned-director found a role on the hit television comedy series “The Beverly Hillbillies.”

Reiner first found fame portraying the hippie son-in-law of Archie Bunker on the hit television show “All in the Family.”

This role may have made the then young-adult Reiner a star. However, the actor found himself making regular guest appearances on a variety of popular shows prior to landing the role on “Family.”

In September of 1969 Rob Reiner guest-starred in “The Beverly Hillbillies” season eight episode “Back to the Hills.”

The actor returned to the series just a few weeks later in the episode entitled “The Hills of Home.” During both episodes, the “Hillbillies” head back to their roots.

Rob Reiner Meets “The Beverly Hillbillies”

“Back to the Hills” begins with Granny’s concerns that her granddaughter Ellie is becoming a twenty-year-old old maid. And Jethro becomes involved in a group of long-haired hippie college protesters, despite Jed’s concerns with Jethro getting wrapped up in the group. These concerns lead Granny and Jed to head back to their hometown in the Ozarks. This episode features Reiner in a role similar to the one that later made him famous in “All in the Family.” In this episode, Reiner plays Mitch, a spacey, but passionate hippie-type hoping to change the world one protest at a time.

In the October 1969 “Beverly Hillbillies” episode, Rob Reiner reprises his role as Mitch. In this episode, Jethro continues his protests in California while his family heads back to their roots. It’s a typical “Beverly Hillbillies” laugh fest as Jed, Granny and Ellie meet old acquaintances in Silver Dollar City. During the visit, Granny runs into an old rival. Of course, with Granny, things cannot be left unsaid and a feud soon begins.

It’s “All in the Family” As Reiner Hits a Career Jackpot

Two years after these “Beverly Hillbillies” episodes premiered, Reiner landed his career-making role, playing Michael Stivic on the wildly beloved CBS sitcom “All in the Family.”

“All in the Family” earned the distinction of being the most-watched television program for five of its seasons, notes IMDB. Reiner won two primetime Emmy Awards for his role on the show. Rob Reiner’s Michael Stivic character was often comedy fodder in the hit series. He and his father-in-law the extremely conservative and cantankerous Archie Bunker often butted heads. Stivic was the hippy Archie Bunker’s daughter married, much to the dismay of her father.

Rob Reiner went on to direct nearly 30 movies. His films such as “Stand By Me,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “A Few Good Men,” and “The Princess Bride” have become modern classics.