Share and Follow
The entertainment industry is reeling from the tragic news of the passing of celebrated filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner. The couple was discovered deceased in their Brentwood, Los Angeles residence on Sunday, December 14. According to TMZ, the 78-year-old director and his wife were found with injuries suggesting knife wounds.
Sunday night, the Reiner family released a heartfelt statement confirming the devastating news. “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner,” a spokesperson for the family shared with Variety. “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”
The year 2025 has been a somber one for Hollywood, as it has faced the loss of several iconic figures. Earlier this summer, the industry bid farewell to personalities such as Anne Burrell, Ozzy Osbourne, Hulk Hogan, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and Brandon Blackstock. The loss continued into October with the deaths of renowned zoologist Jane Goodall, actress Diane Keaton, Grammy-winning R&B artist D’Angelo, among others. November also marked the passing of Dallas Cowboys’ defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.
As the community grapples with these profound losses, the impact of Rob and Michele Reiner’s deaths is felt deeply, reminding us of the fleeting nature of life and the indelible mark they left on the world of cinema and beyond.
Hollywood has mourned the deaths of some of its most legendary stars in 2025. Over the summer, we lost Anne Burrell, Ozzy Osbourne, Hulk Hogan, Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Brandon Blackstock. In October famed zoologist Jane Goodall, Diane Keaton, Grammy-winning R&B singer D’Angelo, and more passed away. The following month, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland […]
Rob began his career as an actor in the CBS sitcom All in the Family, earning two Emmy awards for his role as Mike “Meathead” Stivic. He later became an accomplished filmmaker, directing films such as This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally and A Few Good Men.
For her part, Michele was an actress and producer, who collaborated with her husband as a producer on several of his movies, including the recently released Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.
Tributes have poured in from across the world, including from Ben Stiller, former U.S. President Barack Obama and more.
Scroll down to read how Hollywood and other celebrities are remembering Rob and Michele:
Ben Stiller
“What a huge loss,” Stiller wrote on X. “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 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,” the actor added.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest
“Christopher and I are numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michelle 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,” the couple said in a statement to Variety.
“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 married stars added.
Barack Obama
“Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele,” the former U.S. president wrote on X. “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.”
Gavin Newsom
The California governor wrote via X, “Jen and I are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.”
“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,” the politician continued.
Newsom added, “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.”
“Rob will be remembered for his remarkable filmography and for his extraordinary contribution to humanity,” he concluded.
Sean Astin
“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,” the SAG-AFTRA president said in a statement issued by the union. “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.”
Paul Feig
“One of my most cherished pictures. Rob was my true hero,” the Housemaid director wrote on X, sharing a picture of him and Reiner. “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. 💔”
John Cusack
“Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner – a great man,” Cusack wrote in an X post.
Elijah Wood
“Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michelle. So much love to their kids and family,” the Lord of the Rings star wrote via X.
Dane Cook
“Rob Reiner’s impact on television and cinema is immeasurable,” the comedian said in an X post. “Brokenhearted to hear the news today of his death, and the death of his wife Michele.”
Eric Idle
“Rob Reiner was a lovely man,” the comedian said in an X post. “I spoke to him last night for over an hour. I always enjoyed his company. I met him at his Dad’s in 1975. He was telling me about [filming] at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future. This is so awful. I shall miss him. A clever, talented and very thoughtful man.So awful.”
Elizabeth Banks
“Rob Reiner was a genius story teller. A master. RIP,” Banks wrote in an Instagram Story.
Paul Walter Hauser
“Grieving the loss of my favorite director of all-time,” Hauser wrote in an emotional Instagram post. “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 continued, “I met Rob Reiner on a Sunday at UCB theatre in Los Angeles on Franklin in 2010. I got very nervous realizing he and his wife and daughter were sitting behind me. I raised my hand to volunteer for a sketch with the show ASSCAT and somehow ended up [lip] synching the song ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ by The Verve using my belly instead of my mouth. It was beyond absurd but I couldn’t help thinking, ‘Commit to this. Rob Reiner is watching.’”
“At the intermission, we spoke for maybe 5-10 minutes about how I had just moved to LA from Michigan. He spoke of how he enjoyed filming in Michigan, and he was kind enough to regale me with stories of he and his wife co-writing the marital drama The Story of Us with Alan Zweibel and HIS wife, and how it was such an interesting exercise. He told me how he wanted to use anamorphic lenses to make the courtroom feel more epic in scope on A Few Good Men,” Hauser continued.
“The guy just treated me with the friendliness and intimate details that few people of his stature would bother recounting to a total stranger. And he said, ‘That thing you did, with your belly. That was funny,’” the actor 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,” he shared.
Hauser concluded, “Sick to my stomach. Headed back to set. Holding him close as I do the gig that he inspired me to do.”
Josh Gad
“He was one of the greatest directors of our time. He was a friend. He was simply a beautiful person,” the Frozen actor shared via Instagram. “Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle 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. Love you Rob and Michelle. Thank you for all you gave us. 💔”
Virginia Madsen
“Damn this awful news out of Brentwood. God be with those who love them. Thank you Rob for giving us so much joy to hold on to. Life and talent always turned up to 11,” Madsen shared in an Instagram post.
