Rob Reiner’s loved ones have been left reeling.
Shortly after the famed Hollywood director and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were found dead in their home on Dec. 14 in an apparent homicide, his daughter Tracy Reiner—who Rob adopted during his marriage to late ex-wife Penny Marshall—expressed her shock, noting she’d seen her father just one day earlier.
“I came from the greatest family ever,” she told NBC News. “I don’t know what to say. I’m in shock.”
Family members close to Rob and Michele—who together shared kids Jake Reiner, Nick Reiner and Romy Reiner—previously confirmed their passing, sharing in a statement to Variety, “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers responded to a death investigation at the Reiners’ home a little before 4 p.m. local time on Dec. 14, where they soon discovered two deceased individuals.
“The Robbery Homicide Division responded to the residence, which has been identified as the home of Rob Reiner,” officials confirmed. “At this time, no further details are available as this is an ongoing RHD investigation, into an apparent homicide.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Police Chief Alan Hamilton told reporters the death investigation would continue throughout the evening, per NBC News, and that police had not identified a suspect at that time. He confirmed to reporters, upon being asked, that many family members will be interviewed regarding the deaths.
E! News has reached out to local law enforcement for comment but has not yet heard back.
Amanda Edwards/WireImag & Ralph Dominquez / MediaPunch via Getty ImagesThroughout his career in Hollywood, Rob directed a number of beloved films, including The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men, Stand By Me, This Is Spinal Tap as well as 2025’s Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.
He appeared in countless projects as an actor, including his breakout role in All in the Family, New Girl, The Wolf of Wall Street and even episodes of season four of The Bear, which aired in 2025.
But in addition to his onscreen work, which has cemented his legacy as a cornerstone of Hollywood, Rob was dedicated to advocacy work off the screen.
Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty ImagesHe was a co-founder of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which successfully worked to make Proposition 8—which banned same-sex marriage in California—unconstitutional, and also chaired the campaign to pass the California Children and Families Initiative, which created early childhood development services funded by a tax on tobacco products.
As Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said following Rob and Michele’s deaths, the actor “always used his gifts in service of others.”
For more stars who have paid tribute to the late titan of screens and his beloved wife, read on.
(E! News and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Albert L. Ortega/Getty ImagesTracy Reiner
The actress, who Rob Reiner adopted during his marriage to late ex Penny Marshall, said she saw her dad at a family gathering the day before he and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were found dead in an apparent homicide at their Los Angeles home.
“I came from the greatest family ever,” she told NBC News in a Dec. 14 statement. “I don’t know what to say. I’m in shock.”
X/Paul FeigPaul Feig
“One of my most cherished pictures,” the A Simple Favor director captioned on X. “Rob was my true hero. A true visionary titan and a lovely lovely person.”
He continued, “One never knows if it’s proper to post during something as tragic as this. But I just want the world to know what so many of us know in the industry. Rob was the best.”
Zooey Deschanel/InstagramZooey Deschanel
The actress was “absolutely devastated” as she paid tribute to Rob, who played her father on New Girl.
“My heart is broken,” she wrote on Instagram. “Rob Reiner was the absolute warmest, funniest, most generous of spirits. A truly good human being. An incredible artist and such a playful and fun collaborator. I cherish the time we spent working together and the many films he made that have shaped who I am.”
She added, “Rob and his lovely wife Michele were always so kind and it brought me so much joy any time I was lucky enough to see them.”
Barack Obama & Michelle Obama
“Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele,” the former president wrote on X. “Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen. But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people—and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.”
He continued, “Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose. They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired. We send our deepest condolences to all who loved them.”
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicJerry O’Connell
The actor, who was directed by Rob in 1986’s Stand By Me, shared a photo of himself on set with the director on Instagram, simply saying, “Love you, Rob. Sincerely.”
“I don’t mean this as any offense to my parents—Rob was like a father to me,” he added on CBS Mornings Dec. 15. “He was like a father to me. It’s just surreal.”
Jerry continued, “Everything I have is because of Rob Reiner. Everything I have. It’s just a shocking day.”
Amanda Edwards/WireImageNorman Lear’s Family
The family of the late television icon released an emotional statement noting how close the duo were.
“The Lear Family is devastated by the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner,” they told Deadline. “Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world.”
“Norman would have wanted to remind us that Rob and Michele spent every breath trying to make this country a better place,” the statement continued, “and they pursued that through their art, their activism, their philanthropy, and their love for family and friends. Lyn Lear had remained very close with them and said, ‘The world is unmistakably darker tonight, and we are left bereft.'”
Kevin Winter/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty ImagesChristopher Guest & Jamie Lee Curtis
“Christopher and I are numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michelle Singer Reiner,” Jamie Lee said in a statement to Variety, “and our ONLY focus and care right now is for their children and immediate families and we will offer all support possible to help them.”
The couple added, “There will be plenty of time later to discuss the creative lives we shared and the great political and social impact they both had on the entertainment industry, early childhood development, the fight for gay marriage and their global care for a world in crisis. We have lost great friends. Please give us time to grieve.”
JB Lacroix/WireImageVirginia Madsen
After news of Rob and Michele’s passing broke, the Magic of Belle Isle star wrote on Instagram of her director and his wife, “God be with those who love them. Thank you Rob for giving us so much joy to hold on to.”
Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for SAG-AFTRAKevin Nealon
“The humor is smart and the heart is real,” the actor, who costarred with Rob’s dad Carl Reiner in 2003’s Good Boy!, shared on X. “His films were part of the air for us. Grateful for what he made, and for what he and his wife gave the world.
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesEric Idle
The Monty Python alum tweeted that he had spoken to Rob on the phone the night before his death.
“Rob Reiner was a lovely man. I spoke to him last night for over an hour,” he wrote on X. “I always enjoyed his company. I met him at his Dad’s in 1975. He was telling me about fiming at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future. This is so awful. I shall miss him. A clever, talented and very thoughtful man. So awful.”
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for TCMKathy Bates
The Misery star said she was “absolutely devasted” by the news of Rob’s death.
“I loved Rob,” Kathy, who worked with the director in the 1990 film, told NBC in a statement. “He was brilliant and kind, a man who made films of every genre to challenge himself as an artist.”
She continued, “He changed the course of my life. Michele was a gifted photographer. She shot my beautiful photos for the Misery campaign. My heart breaks for them both. My thoughts are with their family.”
Michael Tran/FilmMagicJohn Cusack
“Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner,” the actor shared on X, 40 years after working with the director in 1985’s The Sure Thing. “A great man.”
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, IncElijah Wood
The actor, who worked with the director in the 1994 movie North, wrote on X, “Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michelle [sic]. So much love to their kids and family.”
River Callaway/Variety via Getty ImagesSophia Bush
“Rob Reiner was an almost indescribably wonderful man,” she wrote on X. “Kind, jovial, thoughtful, and generous. He shaped our industry of course, and more so the world around us, making films that centered empathy and humor. He made us more bold, willing to take risks for love. He used his massive audience and knowledge of how to tell stories to defend democracy, and stand for his neighbors, both near and far.”
“And even when the cameras were off, he showed up,” Sophia went on. “He was often first to say yes to the organizing work, showing up on zoom after zoom, in support of organizations making the world a better place. He offered his talents and gifts. He said YES in service of others. In the years I’ve been lucky enough to know him in those dedicated spaces, he has influenced and inspired me, for good. I am utterly heartbroken at his and Michele’s deaths, and I am holding his loved ones in my heart today.”
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesBen Stiller
“Rob Reiner was one of my favorite directors,” the Zoolander alum shared on X. “He made some of the most formative movies for my generation. He came out form behind a huge comedic shadow of the great Carl Reiner and being a tv actor to being a a great director who made an incredible run of movies.”
He continued, “Spinal Tap is one of the best comedies ever made—and the list goes on. He was a kind caring person who was really really funny.”
Taylor Hill/FilmMagicAyo Edebiri
“This man’s work changed my life and I don’t think that’s hyperbolic,” the Bear actress wrote on her Instagram Stories. “I was so fortunate to have met him recently and couldn’t believe how game he was to talk to me—and now just because he wanted to indulge a young fan.”
She continued, “But because he really loved what he did and the friends he got to do it with. He was so generous with his time and energy and stories. Feeling absolutely gutted.”
Vera Anderson/WireImageRoseanne Barr
“I’m absolutely shocked and horrified to hear about Rob Reiner and his wife Michele,” the comedian wrote on X. “This is a travesty. Praying for swift justice. Sympathies to their family and children. I’m at a loss for words.”
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesPaul Walter Hauser
“Grieving the loss of my favorite director of all-time,” the Emmy winner shared on Instagram. “A Few Good Men is THE reason I became an actor, and Rob’s filmography behind the camera is THE reason I wanted to direct and still do.”
He added, “I hate that Rob and his wife are gone from this world, but they sure as hell impacted me and countless others while here.”
CraSH/ShutterstockJosh Groban
In the wake of Rob and Michele’s death, the musician recalled meeting the couple while working on the yet-to-be released Spinal Tap at Stonehenge: The Final Finale.
“He and Michele made me feel like family and gave me an incredible opportunity to fulfill a dream,” Josh shared on Instagram. “There was laughter and love and song and it was a memory I will cherish forever. I’m stunned and deeply saddened and sending my love to their family.
Michael Tullberg/Getty ImagesBilly Baldwin
“A towering figure in our industry,” the actor commented on Cary Elwes‘ tribute to Rob. “And also a towering figure in your life, Cary. Sending love, light, strength and healing prayers to you and all those who loved him during this unspeakably tragic time. Love you my friend.”
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for IMDbJosh Gad
“He was one of the greatest directors of our time. He was a friend. He was simply a beautiful person,” the Frozen star wrote on Facebook. “Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle [sic] were two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine. He cared so much for those who had no voices. This loss is devastating. I cannot express how much this hurts.”
Barry BrecheisenWireImageRob Schneider
“I am deeply saddened,” the comedian shared on X. “One of the most accomplished American directors who ever lived, his movies have been adored by generations, but I will remember him most for making me laugh my guts out with my Dad watching the greatest American tv show of all time, All In The Family.”
