Legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife were found dead in their Los Angeles mansion on December 14th in an apparent homicide. Authorities were called to investigate at around 3:30pm to provide medical aid, but the couple was dead before they arrived, suffering from multiple stab wounds.
While little is known at the moment, authorities are now investigating. According to Deputy Police Chief Alan Hamilton, many members of the Reiner family are to be interviewed as they search for a motive.
Rob Reiner made a name for himself as director, producer, actor and screenwriter. Rising to fame as Mike "Meathead" Stivic on the CBS sitcom All in the Family, Reiner started out as an actor in various film and television projects before making his directorial debut for the film This is Spinal Tap in 1984.
The film was met with critical success and would become a cult classic. Reiner would move on to even bigger projects, directing and producing modern classics such as Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, Misery, Sleepless in Seattle, and, of course, When Harry Met Sally. While each of those films was well praised by critics, it wasn’t until 1992 that Reiner cemented his legacy with A Few Good Men.
Rob Reiner directed and produced A Few Good Men - a film that earned an Academy Award Best Picture nomination. The film also earned nominations for Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson), Film Editing and Sound Mixing.
Afterward, Rob Reiner continued his filmmaking career with hit films like An American President and The Bucket List. His last film, a sequel to This is Spinal Tap titled Spinal Tap II: The End Continues was his final finished film, released in September 2025.
In addition to his work as a director, producer and writer over the last 30 years, Reiner has also continued acting in both film and television including The Wolf of Wall Street, New Girl and The Bear.
Rob Reiner’s lasting legacy in film has garnered him a prestigious reputation in Hollywood. Many actors have taken to social media to make a statement over the last 24 hours since his death:
“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.” – Ben Stiller, Actor
“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.” – Kathy Bates, Actress
“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.” – Paul Feig, Director
“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.” – Larry David, Writer and Actor
“Christopher and I are numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michele Singer Reiner 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.” – Jamie Lee Curtis, Actress
Sean Astin, actor in such films as The Goonies and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, as well as the current President of the Screen Actors Guild had this to say:
“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.”
Even former President Barack Obama took to social media to offer his condolences, tweeting:
“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 people—and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action. 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.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom also took to X to pay tribute to the legendary filmmaker, tweeting:
“Rob was the big-hearted genius behind so many of the classic stories we love, with projects as wide-ranging as The Princess Bride to A Few Good Men. His boundless empathy made his stories timeless, teaching generations how to see goodness and righteousness in others — and encouraging us to dream bigger.
That empathy extended well beyond his films. Rob was a passionate advocate for children and for civil rights — from taking on Big Tobacco, fighting for marriage equality, to serving as a powerful voice in early education. He made California a better place through his good works.”
And, indeed, Rob Reiner was a political activist and a tremendous advocate for human rights. He was the co-founder of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which helped bring same sex marriage to California. He also campaigned for California Proposition 10, which taxed cigarettes to fund early childhood education, and he campaigned against Trump in the 2016 election.
Rob Reiner, now dead at the age of 78, is survived by his four children. His body and the body of his wife were discovered by their daughter.
According to ABC News and People magazine, sources have named Reiner’s son as a primary suspect in Rob Reiner’s murder. The troubled Nick Reiner, who has suffered from years of addiction, had a strained relationship with his father. Nick was taken into custody Sunday night and is being held on $4 million bail, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
As we wait in the coming weeks for more information to unfold, we remember Rob Reiner and his legacy. With over 90 credits to his name, his influence on film and television cannot be understated. Reiner’s death marks a profound loss to the industry, his fans, but even more so to his family, who issued this statement: “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.”
