In a shocking turn of events, Hollywood has lost one of its most versatile filmmakers. Join us as we uncover the tragic details surrounding Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner's deaths, examine the emerging evidence, and reflect on their remarkable legacy in film and activism. From "All in the Family" to "The Princess Bride," we honor their contributions and the outpouring of grief from celebrities and political figures alike.
00:00Tragic story here unfolding in what usually is a quiet neighborhood here in Brentwood.
00:04Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're uncovering all we know so far about the deaths of Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer Reiner.
00:11But we know from multiple sources as well as TMZ reporting that those two are in fact director and actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle.
00:19Rob Reiner was a talented actor, a gifted director, and a hugely liked and respected figure in the film industry.
00:25On Sunday, December 14, 2025, the shocking news filtered through that Reiner and his wife Michelle had died, allegedly murdered, at his L.A. home.
00:35It was mid-afternoon local time when a horrifying situation unfolded at Rob and Michelle Reiner's Los Angeles home.
00:41The LAPD and the fire department responded to an emergency call shortly after 3.30 p.m., where, upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of a 78-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman.
00:51The Los Angeles Police Department is now conducting an investigation at this residence here on Chadbourne, and that investigation will continue over the coming days.
01:00As news broke online and a spokesperson for the Reiner family later issued confirmation, fans reeled in shock and mourning at the loss of one of America's best and most versatile filmmakers.
01:11The Reiner family statement read, quote,
01:13In a fast-moving story, more details emerged, with the LAPD captain Mike Bland describing the circumstances as a, quote, apparent homicide.
01:41We're going to conduct that investigation at the appropriate time.
01:44We will identify what kind of incident it is, and if it's determined to be a crime, we will seek the suspect, we will bring them to justice, and we will take them into custody.
01:52Both Rob and Michelle Reiner had reportedly died of stab wounds.
01:55According to further initial reports, they were discovered by their daughter, Romy, who lived just minutes away across the street in the same Brentwood neighborhood.
02:04In statements made to the press on Sunday evening, LAPD officials said that a suspect had not yet been identified.
02:10At this time, the Los Angeles Police Department is not seeking anyone as a suspect or as a person of interest or in any other manner, and we will not be doing that until we conduct our investigation and we move forward.
02:22However, multiple sources, including People Magazine, soon claimed that the suspect was known and that allegedly it was another of Rob and Michelle's children, their son Nick, who was a person of interest.
02:32Citing multiple sources, people reported that Rob, 78, and Michelle, 68, were killed by their son Nick.
02:41Nick has since been arrested and is being held on $4 million bail.
02:45TMZ also reports that just two nights earlier, he attended Conan O'Brien's Christmas party with Rob and Michelle, where a very loud argument broke out.
02:53One audible to multiple guests.
02:55Nick Reiner, who once worked with his father on the 2015 drama Being Charlie, has spoken before about his history of being unhoused and substance use issues.
03:04She believed a family member was behind this.
03:07Apparently, there was some kind of argument that had occurred between her parents and this family member.
03:15Obviously, now we know that Nick is in custody in connection with the murder that happened yesterday at the home.
03:20In the immediate aftermath, news agencies told of a huge police presence at the Reiner's home, which had been recently decorated for the holiday season.
03:29The crime scene had been cordoned off, with TV reporters lining the street outside.
03:33According to concerned neighbors waiting outside, actors Billy Crystal and Larry David had separately stopped by on Sunday evening and were visibly emotional.
03:42Crystal and David had both been great friends with Reiner and had worked closely with him across what was a long and special career.
03:49More tributes poured in.
03:51Actor Kathy Bates, in a statement for NBC News, said that she, quote, loved Rob and that he had, quote, changed the course of her life.
03:59Comedian George Wallace also paid tribute to Reiner by writing on X, quote, nothing but love for ya.
04:04Actor James Woods said that he was, quote, devastated by this terrible event.
04:08Musician Sean Lennon posted that Reiner was, quote, one of the greatest of all time.
04:13Eric Idle, of Monty Python, wrote, quote,
04:15"...Rob Reiner was a lovely man. I spoke to him last night for over an hour. I always enjoyed his company."
04:21Revealing that he had chatted with Reiner just hours before he died.
04:25Multiple hugely influential politicians also took to social media to express their shock.
04:30Kamala Harris wrote that, quote,
04:32"...Rob Reiner's work has impacted generations of Americans," and that he, quote,
04:36"...loved our country, cared deeply about the future of our nation, and fought for America's democracy."
04:41Former President Barack Obama said of Rob and Michelle, quote,
04:44"...they will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired."
04:49The widespread reaction to Reiner's passing speaks to just how rich, varied, and impactful his life and career were.
04:55He was part of a Hollywood dynasty, as his father, Carl Reiner, was a famous and long-lived comedian before him,
05:01with Rob often speaking in interviews of his admiration for his dad.
05:04"...I was pretty much forged in this world of show business through my father. I idolized him, I admired him so much. I loved him, looked up to him, and I pretty much wanted to do what he did."
05:18He first gained recognition as an actor in the 1970s, most notably as the ever-liberal Michael Meathead Stivik in the Norman Lear sitcom All in the Family,
05:27in which he appeared in the vast majority of the show's 205 episodes.
05:31Reiner moved much further into the global public eye throughout the 1980s, however, as he went from in front of the camera to behind it.
05:42He made his directorial debut with the cult classic heavy metal mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap,
05:47a movie that he also co-wrote with the film's three lead actors, Christopher Guest, Michael McKeon and Harry Shearer.
05:52You know, just simple lines, intertwining, you know, very much like, I'm really influenced by Mozart and Bach,
05:59and it's sort of in between, though, it's really, it's like a Mach piece, really.
06:03What do you call this?
06:05Well, this piece is called Lick My Love Pump.
06:07He next blended his chaotic brand of comedy with a little more emotional sincerity for the 1985 rom-com The Sure Thing,
06:13starring John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga.
06:16Over the following years, Reiner put together a hugely successful run of movies, spanning multiple genres.
06:21Where are you going?
06:23It's too stuffy in here. Let's go get some air.
06:26In 1986, he directed Stand By Me, the lauded coming-of-age drama and Stephen King adaptation.
06:33In 1987, he directed and co-produced The Princess Bride, a cult classic,
06:38almost universally admired realization of William Goldman's novel.
06:41You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you.
06:44You seem a decent fellow. I hate to die.
06:47In 1989, he again directed and co-produced,
06:50this time for When Harry Met Sally,
06:52which, starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan,
06:55grew to become an iconic romantic comedy.
06:57Just one year later, Reiner took the director's chair from Misery,
07:01another Stephen King adaptation,
07:02allowing him to switch to a grisly and disturbing psychological horror.
07:06Two years after that, in 1992, Reiner directed an ensemble cast,
07:22including Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, and Kiefer Sutherland,
07:26for the military legal drama A Few Good Men.
07:28Again, perhaps more than anything else in his professional career,
07:32Reiner will be remembered as an exceptionally versatile creative force.
07:35You want answers? I think I'm entitled to it.
07:38You want answers!
07:39I want the truth!
07:40You can't handle the truth!
07:42Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer Reiner met on set during the filming of When Harry Met Sally.
07:47In multiple interviews, Reiner has spoken about an instant attraction between them,
07:51so much so that he claims his meeting Michelle had a direct impact on how that movie ends.
07:56I am saying, why does it have to mean everything?
07:58Because it does!
07:59And you should know that better than anybody,
08:01because the minute that it happens, you walk right out the door.
08:03I didn't walk out.
08:04No, sprinted is more like it!
08:06In the film, Harry famously, finally, declares his love for Sally on New Year's Eve,
08:11and they're married by the movie's clothes.
08:13However, before meeting his own future wife,
08:16Reiner had reportedly planned a bittersweet ending,
08:18where the characters meet again,
08:19but ultimately walk away and disappear from each other's lives.
08:23We were friends for a long time.
08:25And then we weren't.
08:25Meeting Michelle changed how Reiner felt and completely redirected the storyline.
08:31In real life, Rob and Michelle married in 1989,
08:34the same year as When Harry Met Sally was released.
08:36At the time of their deaths, they had been married for more than 35 years.
08:41Away from the screen, the couple was very politically active,
08:44campaigning for various causes they believed in,
08:46including for marriage equality, the protection of children,
08:49and for various local environmental issues.
08:51Anytime you're getting into political areas, it's always tough.
08:56In his post on X, Barack Obama wrote of Reiner that,
08:59Beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people
09:03and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.
09:07Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose.
09:10Commenting specifically on how close the couple had been,
09:13Kamala Harris wrote,
09:15Rob and his wife Michelle loved each other very much.
09:18The shocking news of Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer Reiner's deaths
09:21will capture global attention.
09:23That's correct.
09:23This is a high-profile case.
09:25There's been a lot of unconfirmed reporting.
09:27Understandably, officials have been very tight-lipped,
09:30especially given just the sensitivity.
09:32The circumstances surrounding their passing are truly difficult
09:35and terrible to comprehend.
09:37And as the disturbing story continues to develop,
09:39the watching world will learn more about exactly what happened
09:42to result in their, quote, apparent homicide.
09:45Their passing is the latest in a long line of Hollywood tragedies.
09:48For now, we ask you to take to the comments to pay tribute
09:52and to remember with fondness the life and work of two people,
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