Hollywood and the world of politics were in complete shock at the devastating news that filmmaker and activist Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer had been found dead in their Brentwood home Sunday.
Reiner, 78, and his wife, 68, were found dead in their home on Chadbourne Avenue, with the couple “suffering lacerations consistent with a knife,” law enforcement sources told TMZ. The Los Angeles Fire Department had been called to their house at about 3:30 p.m., and LAPD Robbery Homicide Division detectives were investigating.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time,” said a spokesperson for the family.
“I came from the greatest family ever,” Reiner’s daughter Tracy told NBC News. “I don’t know what to say. I’m in shock.” Tracy was Rob’s daughter via adoption during his marriage to the late Penny Marshall.
In an entertainment industry career that spanned seven decades, Reiner made his name as an actor in the hugely successful sitcom All In the Family before finding even greater success as a filmmaker, directing classics such as This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, Misery, A Few Good Men and Stand by Me, among many others.
His success and influence touched many in Hollywood, and the reaction on social media Sunday night saw an outpouring of affection for Reiner and his vast body of work, as well as shock over his and Michelle Singer’s brutal death.
In a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter, the family of the late All In the Family creator Norman Lear said, “The Lear Family is devastated by the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner. 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, 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.’”
Laurie David, ex-wife to comedian Larry David and friends of the Reiners, wrote on Threads, “Rob & Michele …always referred to as Rob & Michele, were an extraordinary couple who worked side by side to make the world a safer, fairer and more just society. Their passion was infectious and they mentored me to become the environmental advocate, doc filmaker and political organizer I would eventually became. Rob always made us laugh. A most beautiful man I admired deeply. Michele opened their home to many discussions of big issues of the day. Leaders, wonderful friends. They can’t be gone.”
Legendary comedian Eric Idle tweeted, “Rob Reiner was a lovely man. I spoke to him last night for over an hour. I always enjoyed his company. I met him at his Dad’s in 1975. He was telling me about filming 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.”
Reiner’s All in the Family co-star Sally Struthers said in a statement to THR, “There are no words. This is beyond devastating and my heart is with their family.”
Robin Wright, who starred in The Princess Bride, said in a statement to THR, “I am deeply shocked and devastated. I cannot begin to imagine what the family is experiencing or what they will have to endure in the months and years ahead. It is truly heartbreaking. Rob was one of the most loving, compassionate, and kind people I have ever known. He was an extraordinary director and the impact he had on me has stayed with me throughout my career. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
Demi Moore said of Rob and Michelle, “Our kids grew up together, we worked together, and as our lives intertwined personally and professionally I will always cherish the moments and memories of what we shared.”
Filmmaker Paul Feig tweeted, “Rob was my true hero. A true visionary titan and a lovely lovely person. 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.”
People For the American Way President Svante Myrick said in a statement, “People For the American Way’s staff and board are grieving the death of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele. Like his dear friend and our founder Norman Lear, Rob Reiner was committed to using his creative brilliance not only to entertain people, but also to promote the values of freedom, fairness, and justice. Rob loved our country and he supported artists and activists who work to defend and strengthen what is best about it. We share the sorrow of the Reiners’ family and friends, and the millions of Americans whose hearts have been lightened and expanded by their presence in our lives.”
Critic Richard Roeper wrote on X, “Rob Reiner co-starred in one of the most influential sitcoms of all time, had an incredible run as a director — and was one of the kindest and most considerate human beings I’ve ever met in this business. RIP.
John Cusack, who starred in Reiner’s second film as a director, The Sure Thing, wrote on X, “Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner — a great man.” On Monday, he shared more about Reiner: “What made Rob a great man — was not his prodigious talents as an actor director writer producer — it was his huge heart, his endless generosity and his decency and humanity that made him great. He had soul — and saw the soul in others. He loved justice. Gave me my break in the business and took care of me like a son. A mensch in every sense. Honored to work with him on his second and third films — Sure Thing and Stand By Me — Love you Rob.”
Ben Stiller tweeted, “What a huge loss. Rob Reiner was one of my favorite directors. He made some of the most formative movies for my generation. He came out from 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. 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. I didn’t know him well but was always a fan and I feel a real sadness for those who did, and his family.”
Kathy Bates, who worked with Reiner on his 1990 psychological horror thriller Misery, said in a statement to THR that she is “absolutely devastated” by the news of Reiner’s death. “I’m horrified hearing this terrible news. Absolutely devastated. I loved Rob. He was brilliant and kind, a man who made films of every genre to challenge himself as an artist. He also fought courageously for his political beliefs. He changed the course of my life,” she said, adding about the filmmaker’s wife: “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.”
Zooey Deschanel, who worked with Reiner on the Fox comedy New Girl, said in a tribute, “My heart is broken. 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.”
Howard Stern remembered Reiner on The Howard Stern Show Monday, describing the director as a “genius” and someone who was “down to earth and connected.” “He always cared about people… I just thought the world of him.”
Author and Hollywood historian Mark Harris wrote on Bluesky, “There’s so much to say about Rob Reiner as a director, an activist, and a mensch, but I just can’t summon it right now.”
Sinister, The Black Phone and Doctor Strange screenwriter C. Robert Cargill wrote on Bluesky, “The cultural impact of Rob Reiner cannot be understated. Legend isn’t big enough a word. It goes to 11. You can’t handle the truth. As you wish. I’ll have what she’s having. I’m your number one fan. You guys wanna see a dead body? The very idea of a bucket list. The West Wing. All from his movies.”
In a statement to THR, Sean Astin, the president of the Hollywood union SAG-AFTRA, said, “Rob Reiner is one of the most significant figures in the history of film and television. The impact he made on American culture simply can’t be overstated. Tributes will pour in and the impossibly long list of genre defining films and indelible performances will play in our minds and hearts. Rob Reiner was a member of our union for nearly 60 years. We send love and warmth to Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s families, friends and colleagues. Our entertainment community and audiences around the world will mourn deeply. On a personal note, so many of Mr. Reiner’s films and performances made me think, made me emotional and especially they made me laugh really hard. That’s how I will remember him.”
Morgan Freeman remembered Reiner as “a terrific director. A man for all reasons.”
Journey Gunderson, the executive director of the National Comedy Center, said in a statement to THR: “Rob Reiner consistently worked from a place of conviction and integrity. Together, he and Michele were a force — combining comedy, creativity, and public engagement into their shared endeavors. They were as committed to making a difference as they were to their careers, a rare combination that makes this loss feel all the more profound. When visiting us to pay tribute to his father, Rob did so with reverence, humility, kindness, and a steadfast, enthusiastic intellect in matters of comedy and humanity. We are grateful to have known them both and for the impact they had on all of us.”
Former President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton issued a statement saying that they were “heartbroken” over their deaths and pointed to their “active citizenship” in memory of their progressive activism. “Hillary and I are heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our friends Rob and Michele Reiner. They inspired and uplifted millions through their work in film and television. And they were good, generous people who made everyone who knew them better through their active citizenship in defense of inclusive democracy, setting an example for us all to follow. Hillary and I will always be grateful for their friendship, unfailing kindness, and support,” the statement reads.
Wil Wheaton, who as a teen starred in Stand By Me as Gordie LaChance, wrote in a blog post, “When I was turning 13, and realizing that my own father didn’t care about me, that my mother didn’t see me as a son, but as a thing she could put to work, Rob Reiner made me feel loved, valued, seen, and respected. He made sure I knew that I was important to him and his movie. He made sure I knew that he saw every actor he could for my role, and he chose me because he saw so much of Gordie in me. Back then, I didn’t know what that meant, only that he made me feel like I was enough.”
Jerry Seinfeld, whose show Seinfeld was produced by Castle Rock Entertainment, co-founded by Reiner, posted: “Next to Larry David and George Shapiro, Rob Reiner had the biggest influence on my career. Our show would have never happened without him. He saw something no one else could. When nobody at the network liked the early episodes, he saved us from cancellation. That I was working with Carl Reiner’s son, who happened to be one of the kindest people in show business, seemed unreal. I was naive at the time to how much his passion for us meant.”
Barbra Streisand posted: “This weekend saddened me immeasurably. First the tragic shooting at Brown University, then the horrific massacre in Australia, and then 2 people I knew personally, Rob and Michelle Reiner lost their lives. Rob and I came up in the industry together and he was a wonderful actor, and a very gifted director. He was also a passionate activist and human being. He will be sorely missed.😢 May he and his wife rest in peace
