Hollywood Reacts to Rob Reiner’s Shocking Death
On Sunday afternoon, the Los Angeles Fire Department was called to the home of legendary director Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele, 78, in Los Angeles’ ritzy Brentwood neighborhood.
Shortly after it was confirmed that the couple had died, and that the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery Homicide division was investigating the case as it appeared that both Rob and Michele suffered “lacerations consistent with a knife,” Hollywood took to social media to express their sorrow over the news. Close friends including Billy Crystal and Larry David were spotted at the Reiners’ home.
How Did Rob Reiner Get His Start?
Reiner—the son of legendary comedian-filmmaker Carl Reiner, who passed away in 2020—rose to fame playing Michael “Meathead” Stivic on Norman Lear’s groundbreaking All in the Family before moving behind the camera.
In 1984, Reiner made his feature directorial debut with This Is Spinal Tap, which he most recently followed up with this summer’s Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. Stand By Me (1986), The Princess Bride (1987), Misery (1990), and The American President (1995) were among some of his biggest hits. In 1993, he earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture for A Few Good Men.
How Has Hollywood Responded to Rob Reiner's Death?
In response to the news of Reiner’s passing, some of Hollywood’s biggest names spoke out:
Jamie Lee Curtis, who is married to longtime Reiner collaborator Christopher Guest, released a statement: “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. There will be plenty of time later to discuss the creative lives we shared and the great political and social impact they both had on the entertainment industry, early childhood development, the fight for gay marriage and their global care for a world in crisis. We have lost great friends. Please give us time to grieve.”
The family of Norman Lear, who passed away in December 2023, issued a statement saying: “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.’”
Elijah Wood, who starred in Reiner’s 1994 film North, wrote that he was “Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michele. So much love to their kids and family.”
Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michelle. So much love to their kids and family.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) December 15, 2025
“Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine,” wrote actor Josh Gad. “He cared so much for those who had no voices.”
“Rob is one of my heroes,” wrote Bridesmaids director Paul Feig. “I had the honor of calling him a friend.” He later tweeted what he described as one of his most “cherished pictures,” which featured him with Reiner.
“Rob was my true hero,” Feig wrote. “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.”
One of my most cherished pictures. 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. ???? pic.twitter.com/oDn1FW1vqb
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) December 15, 2025
Oscar nominee shared a photo of her and Reiner, then made a sly Spinal Tap reference: “Thank you Rob for giving us so much joy to hold on to. Life and talent always turned up to 11.”
Actor Paul Walter Hauser posted to Instagram that he was, “Grieving the loss of my favorite director of all-time. 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.” Hauser also shared a story about how he met Reiner.
Film critic Richard Roeper remembered Reiner not just for his talent both in front of and behind the camera, but as “one of the kindest and most considerate human beings I've ever met in this business.” Tim Heidecker, meanwhile, declared him a “genius.” And O’Shea Jackson described the situation as “unreal.”
Rest in peace Rob and Michele Reiner. Unreal
— O’Shea Jackson Jr (@OsheaJacksonJr) December 15, 2025
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also weighed in on the couple’s deaths, calling the suspected homicide a “devastating loss” for the city. “Personally, I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of Rob and his wife Michele,” Bass continued. “I knew Rob and have tremendous respect for him. Among his numerous contributions, Rob helped create First 5 California, a landmark initiative funded by a tobacco tax to support early childhood development programs. He and Michele fought for early childhood development and marriage equality, working to overturn Proposition 8. They were true champions for LGBTQ+ rights.”
This is a devastating loss for our city and our country. Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice. An acclaimed actor,…
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) December 15, 2025