Hollywood mourns Rob and Michele Singer Reiner

Rob Reiner

Hollywood and the broader entertainment community are mourning the loss of filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner, who was found dead alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, on Sunday at their home. The news sent shockwaves through the industry, prompting an outpouring of tributes from actors, directors, political leaders, and longtime collaborators.

Reiner, the son of legendary comedian Carl Reiner, first rose to fame in the 1970s as Mike “Meathead” Stivic on Norman Lear’s All in the Family, a role that helped redefine what television comedy could tackle. He later became one of the most influential directors of his generation, helming classics including Stand by Me, This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally…, and A Few Good Men.

Christopher Guest, who starred in This Is Spinal Tap, and his wife, Jamie Lee Curtis, released a joint statement expressing devastation over the violent deaths of their close friends. They said their immediate concern was for the Reiners’ children and families, adding that discussions of the couple’s creative, political, and philanthropic impact would come later. “We have lost great friends,” they said, asking for time to grieve.

The family of the late Norman Lear also issued a statement, describing Reiner as someone Lear often referred to as a son. They emphasized the couple’s lifelong commitment to improving the world through art, activism, and philanthropy, with Lear’s widow Lyn Lear saying the world felt “unmistakably darker” following their deaths.

Actors who worked with Reiner shared brief but emotional tributes. The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes posted a photo from the set with the caption “No words.” John Cusack, who appeared in The Sure Thing, wrote that he was stunned by the loss of “a great man.”

Director Ron Howard reflected on decades of intersecting careers, calling Reiner a remarkable filmmaker, a generous colleague, and a deeply engaged citizen. “Rob will be missed on so many levels,” Howard wrote, offering condolences to Reiner’s family and close friends.

Director Paul Feig called Reiner his hero, while Sean Astin, speaking in his capacity as president of SAG-AFTRA, praised Reiner as one of the most significant figures in film and television history. Astin noted Reiner’s nearly 60 years of union membership and described his work as culturally defining, personally impactful, and deeply funny.

Reiner’s influence on comedy was frequently cited, particularly his role in shaping modern satire with This Is Spinal Tap and redefining romantic comedy with When Harry Met Sally…. As the son of Carl Reiner, whose own career spanned collaborations with Sid Caesar and Mel Brooks and the creation of The Dick Van Dyke Show, Rob Reiner carried that legacy forward while forging a distinct voice of his own.

Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center, described Rob and Michele Reiner as a powerful partnership, blending creativity, public engagement, and conviction. She recalled Reiner’s humility and enthusiasm as he honored his father’s legacy, calling both Rob and Michele deeply impactful figures.

Filmmakers and actors pointed to Reiner’s extraordinary run from the mid-1980s through the early 1990s as one of the most influential directing streaks in modern cinema. Actor Paul Walter Hauser credited A Few Good Men with inspiring him to pursue acting and directing, while Jon Cryer summed up the news simply: “Horrible. I didn’t think today could get worse.”

Josh Gad remembered the couple as exceptionally kind and deeply committed to speaking up for those without a voice. Eric Idle of Monty Python wrote that he had spoken with Reiner the night before his death, discussing future plans and recent filming at Stonehenge. “This is so awful,” Idle wrote. “I shall miss him.”

Actress Virginia Madsen offered a succinct tribute, thanking Reiner for the joy he brought to audiences and describing his life and talent as “always turned up to 11.” Nancy Pelosi echoed that sentiment, calling Reiner creative, funny, and beloved, and emphasizing Michele Singer Reiner’s role as his indispensable partner.

As tributes continue to pour in, the scope of Rob Reiner’s impact is being felt across generations. For many in Hollywood, he was not only a maker of enduring films, but a principled storyteller, collaborator, and advocate whose absence leaves a profound void.

 

REELated:

Director Rob Reiner and wife stabbed to death – suspect is son

Rob Reiner
Rob Reiner

Hollywood and the broader entertainment community are mourning the loss of filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner, who was found dead alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, on Sunday at their home. The news sent shockwaves through the industry, prompting an outpouring of tributes from actors, directors, political leaders, and longtime collaborators.

Reiner, the son of legendary comedian Carl Reiner, first rose to fame in the 1970s as Mike “Meathead” Stivic on Norman Lear’s All in the Family, a role that helped redefine what television comedy could tackle. He later became one of the most influential directors of his generation, helming classics including Stand by Me, This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally…, and A Few Good Men.

Christopher Guest, who starred in This Is Spinal Tap, and his wife, Jamie Lee Curtis, released a joint statement expressing devastation over the violent deaths of their close friends. They said their immediate concern was for the Reiners’ children and families, adding that discussions of the couple’s creative, political, and philanthropic impact would come later. “We have lost great friends,” they said, asking for time to grieve.

The family of the late Norman Lear also issued a statement, describing Reiner as someone Lear often referred to as a son. They emphasized the couple’s lifelong commitment to improving the world through art, activism, and philanthropy, with Lear’s widow Lyn Lear saying the world felt “unmistakably darker” following their deaths.

Actors who worked with Reiner shared brief but emotional tributes. The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes posted a photo from the set with the caption “No words.” John Cusack, who appeared in The Sure Thing, wrote that he was stunned by the loss of “a great man.”

Director Ron Howard reflected on decades of intersecting careers, calling Reiner a remarkable filmmaker, a generous colleague, and a deeply engaged citizen. “Rob will be missed on so many levels,” Howard wrote, offering condolences to Reiner’s family and close friends.

Director Paul Feig called Reiner his hero, while Sean Astin, speaking in his capacity as president of SAG-AFTRA, praised Reiner as one of the most significant figures in film and television history. Astin noted Reiner’s nearly 60 years of union membership and described his work as culturally defining, personally impactful, and deeply funny.

Reiner’s influence on comedy was frequently cited, particularly his role in shaping modern satire with This Is Spinal Tap and redefining romantic comedy with When Harry Met Sally…. As the son of Carl Reiner, whose own career spanned collaborations with Sid Caesar and Mel Brooks and the creation of The Dick Van Dyke Show, Rob Reiner carried that legacy forward while forging a distinct voice of his own.

Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center, described Rob and Michele Reiner as a powerful partnership, blending creativity, public engagement, and conviction. She recalled Reiner’s humility and enthusiasm as he honored his father’s legacy, calling both Rob and Michele deeply impactful figures.

Filmmakers and actors pointed to Reiner’s extraordinary run from the mid-1980s through the early 1990s as one of the most influential directing streaks in modern cinema. Actor Paul Walter Hauser credited A Few Good Men with inspiring him to pursue acting and directing, while Jon Cryer summed up the news simply: “Horrible. I didn’t think today could get worse.”

Josh Gad remembered the couple as exceptionally kind and deeply committed to speaking up for those without a voice. Eric Idle of Monty Python wrote that he had spoken with Reiner the night before his death, discussing future plans and recent filming at Stonehenge. “This is so awful,” Idle wrote. “I shall miss him.”

Actress Virginia Madsen offered a succinct tribute, thanking Reiner for the joy he brought to audiences and describing his life and talent as “always turned up to 11.” Nancy Pelosi echoed that sentiment, calling Reiner creative, funny, and beloved, and emphasizing Michele Singer Reiner’s role as his indispensable partner.

As tributes continue to pour in, the scope of Rob Reiner’s impact is being felt across generations. For many in Hollywood, he was not only a maker of enduring films, but a principled storyteller, collaborator, and advocate whose absence leaves a profound void.

 

REELated:

Director Rob Reiner and wife stabbed to death – suspect is son

Rob Reiner
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Public figures also weighed in. Former President Barack Obama noted that Reiner and his wife lived lives guided by purpose and would be remembered for the values they championed and the people they inspired. California Governor Gavin Newsom and his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom highlighted Reiner’s advocacy beyond film, citing his work on behalf of children, civil rights, marriage equality, and early education.

Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. 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…

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 15, 2025

Public figures also weighed in. Former President Barack Obama noted that Reiner and his wife lived lives guided by purpose and would be remembered for the values they championed and the people they inspired. California Governor Gavin Newsom and his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom highlighted Reiner’s advocacy beyond film, citing his work on behalf of children, civil rights, marriage equality, and early education.

Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. 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…

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 15, 2025