Friends said that feeling of disappointment has been compounded by alcohol, something Sutherland has long acknowledged as a double-edged sword in his life. "The loss of his father hit Kiefer with a force he wasn't prepared for," the insider noted. Then the shock slaughter of Rob Reiner, 78, in December has further deepened the sense of loss. Reiner, who directed Sutherland in Stand by Me, was described by friends as a mentor and guiding force for the actor. "He wasn't just a former collaborator; he was someone Kiefer looked to for guidance, reassurance, and perspective, both creatively and personally.