Meathead for President Stars

Blue text on a white stripe across the middle of the button with red above and blue below and white stars

Rob Reiner (b. 1947), American actor and director played the role of Michael Stivic in the 1970s sit-com All in the Family.  The show was created by Norman Lear and was the most watched television show from 1971-1976, and earned Reiner two Emmy Awards. The Michael Stivic character was a liberal, intellectual son-in-law who lived with his wife and in-laws and continually butted heads with his conservative, crotchety, bigoted father-in-law, portrayed by Carol O’Connor. 

O’Connor dubbed Reiner “Meathead” at their first meeting and told him it meant “dead from the neck up.”  The two characters represented the conflicting social opinions of the time, and continually argued about politics, religion and equal rights.  “Meathead for President” campaign buttons became popular during the 1972 presidential campaign.  After leaving the show, Reiner became a very successful movie director with hits such as The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men and Stand by Me.