Michael Douglas Reveals Advice He Gave Rob Reiner Before Death

Michael Douglas and Rob Reiner shared more in common than just their legendary careers in the entertainment industry. Sadly, both knew the pain of having to raise a child addicted to drugs.

Last weekend, Reiner and his wife Michele were allegedly murdered by their son 32-year-old Nick, who has spent considerable time in rehab since he was a teenager. In a CBS News tribute special Rob Reiner: Scenes from a Life, which aired Sunday night, Douglas discussed the direction he gave his friend about his son's personal struggles before tragedy struck.

'A man who always gave you his best'

Douglas and his son Cameron, 47, have spoken openly about the latter's drug problems over the years. Cameron Douglas has been sober now for more than a decade, but spent seven years in prison for drug-related offenses.

Douglas told CBS that he often counseled Reiner on how to handle his son's substance abuse issues.

"With this terrible tragedy, we're realizing how much pressure he was dealing with in his personal life with his son," Douglas said, via PEOPLE. "I also had a son who had drug issues. And I'm happy to say he's overcome them and he's living a prosperous life. But we talked a lot about that: What you can do as a parent, what you can't do."

Additionally, Douglas said that no matter Reiner was going through "behind the scenes," he was "a man who always gave you his best."

Tragedy struck Dec. 14

On Sunday, Dec. 14, the bodies of Reiner, 78. and his wife were found in their Los Angeles home. The couple had reportedly been stabbed to death and had their throats slashed.

Nick Reiner was arrested that night and charged with murder. He is being held, without bail, at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility and his set to face arraignment on Jan. 7, 2026.

On the night before the murders, Nick Reiner and his parents attended a holiday party hosted by Conan O'Brien. There, the troubled former screenwriter allegedly got into an argument with his father and had a disturbing encounter with comedian Bill Hader before leaving the gathering.

In 2015, Reiner and his father collaborated on the film "Being Charlie," which Nick co-wrote and Rob directed. It was about the drug-addicted son of a politician and was loosely based on Nick's own personal demons.

In the months leading up to the Dec. 14 killings, Rob and Michele Reiner had reportedly tried "everything" to help their son, and were said to be at their wits' end regarding possible next steps.