Rob Reiner and his wife of 36 years Michele Singer Reiner were found dead from an apparent homicide at their Los Angeles home on Dec. 14.
Hollywood is mourning a beloved power couple.
Rob Reiner and his wife of 36 years Michele Singer Reiner—who produced the director’s recent sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues—were found dead in an apparent homicide at their Los Angeles home Dec. 14, a source close to the family confirmed to NBC News.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner,” his family said in a statement to Variety. “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”
The news sent shockwaves across the film community, with Elijah Wood—who starred in Rob’s 1994 movie North—writing on X (formerly Twitter), “Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michelle [sic].”
Meanwhile, Kathy Bates said Rob “changed the course of my life.”
“I loved Rob,” the Oscar winner, who worked with the filmmaker in 1990’s Misery, told NBC in a statement. “He was brilliant and kind, a man who made films of every genre to challenge himself as an artist.”
Added Josh Gad on Facebook, “He was one of the greatest directors of our time. He was a friend. He was simply a beautiful person.”
Rob, the son of the late actors Carl Reiner and Estelle Reiner, made his directorial debut with 1984’s This Is Spinal Tap. He went on to direct movie classics such as Stand by Me, The Princess Bride and A Few Good Men.
Amid his growing career, Rob was in a relationship with fellow director Penny Marshall. They were married from 1971 to 1981 and shared a daughter, Tracy Reiner, before Penny’s passing in 2018.
Michael Stewart/Getty ImagesRob wed Michele in 1989 after meeting her on the set of When Harry Met Sally. They welcomed their first child together, Jake Reiner, in 1991 before expanding their family with son Nick Reiner in 1993 and daughter Romy Reiner in 1997.
” We’re good friends,” Rob said of Michele, who inspired the director to change the ending of When Harry Met Sally, in a 2024 interview with AARP’s Senior Planet. “That’s what it comes down to. We get along just great and enjoy each other’s company.”
For more celebrities paying tribute to Rob and Michele, read on.
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Tracy 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.”
Paul 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.”
Virginia 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.”
Kevin 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.
Kathy 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.”
John 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.”
Elijah 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.”
Ben 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.”
Roseanne 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.”
Paul 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.”
Josh 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.
Josh 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.”
Rob 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.”