But everything changed when Reiner met Michele during production of the film. The two fell in love, and that experience reshaped his outlook—and the movie itself. Speaking to CNN earlier this year, Reiner explained that meeting Michele made him believe in happy endings again. As a result, he rewrote the finale into the now-famous New Year’s Eve scene, where Harry rushes through a party to confess his love.
“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody,” Harry says in the film, “you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” Reiner later said simply, “I met my wife while we were making the film—and I changed the ending.” The couple remained married for 35 years.
Rest in peace, Rob and Michele.