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In a heartfelt homage, Meg Ryan paid tribute to the late filmmaker Rob Reiner, following the tragic news of his and his wife Michele Singer Reiner’s untimely deaths in their Los Angeles residence.
Ryan reminisced by sharing a photograph of herself with Reiner, captured while they danced on the set of Reiner’s iconic romantic comedy, When Harry Met Sally. She expressed her sorrow with the words, “Oh how we will miss this man…,” adding her gratitude for the couple’s belief in true love, fairy tales, and the power of laughter. “Thank you for your faith in the best in people, and for your profound love of our country,” she further stated.
Continuing her heartfelt message, Ryan reflected, “I have to believe that their story will not end with this impossible tragedy, that some good may come, some awareness raised… I don’t know, but my guess is that they would want that to be hopeful and humane, to be something that brings us all to a greater understanding of one another and to some peace.”
The Oscar-nominated director and his wife lost their lives in what authorities are investigating as a homicide. Their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, faces murder charges, and if found guilty, he may receive a life sentence without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty, according to reports from NBC News.
Meg Ryan famously starred alongside Billy Crystal in the 1989 romantic classic, co-written by Rob Reiner and Nora Ephron. The film follows the journey of two former classmates as they navigate the complexities of maintaining a platonic friendship over the years, resisting romantic feelings that threaten to develop.
Rob met his wife, who was a photographer, while directing When Harry Met Sally. He revealed that meeting her inspired him to change the ending of the film.
“I met my wife while making the movie and we changed the ending and this is what we came up with,” Reiner said. “Billy came up with some of this dialogue and that’s how we decided to end the movie, that they do end up together.”
Crystal also co-wrote a joint statement with several of Rob’s friends and collaborators, including Larry David, Martin Short and Albert Brooks.
“Absorbing all he had learned from his father Carl and his mentor Norman Lear, Rob Reiner not only was a great comic actor, he became a master story teller,” read the statement released to The Associated Press. “There is no other director who has his range. From comedy to drama to ‘mockumentary’ to documentary he was always at the top of his game. He charmed audiences. They trusted him. They lined up to see his films.”
After remembering Michele and Rob as “strong and determined” individuals who “were a special force together,” the statement concludes, “We were their friends, and we will miss them forever.”
Rob and Michele are survived by their children, Romy and Jake Reiner.
