Iconic director and actor Rob Reiner (78) and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner (68), were found dead at their Brentwood home on Sunday, December 14th.
Following an overnight investigation, their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, was arrested on suspicion of murder. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell confirmed that detectives quickly moved to take Nick Reiner into custody, bringing a shocking conclusion to the double fatality that has gripped Hollywood.
Police today announced that Nick Reiner, the son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder after his parents’ deaths. The two were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday.
The tragedy marks a profound loss for the entertainment industry. Rob Reiner’s career defined eras of American film and television, beginning with his Emmy-winning role as Mike “Meathead” Stivic on All in the Family.
He later became a revered director, helming classics that remain cherished today, including This Is Spinal Tap (1984), The Princess Bride (1987), When Harry Met Sally… (1989), and A Few Good Men (1992).
Rob Reiner was a ‘mensch’, close friend Harry Shearer says
“He was what is known in Hollywood is known as a mensch; just an all-around trustworthy, reliable, wonderful person, and he was.”
That was the first thing Harry Shearer said, when we spoke on the phone a short while ago. He wrote and starred in the comedy classic This is Spinal Tap with Rob Reiner.
He then gave me his reaction when he first heard the news of his friend’s death.
“I didn’t believe it. I thought ‘that can’t be true’. Originally, we thought it might have been a break-in, then it got worse and worse, as this story became more personal and more shocking in its details.
They had known each other for decades.
“I have these this memory of sitting around his office and it was just non-stop laughs. Rob was the kind of funny person that didn’t fear or resent being around other people who were funny.”
“He seemed like a really good dad, he was a good friend. He was very voluble in his political comments. You could sail along in Hollywood very easily without doing that and it was ballsy of him to put his career and his professional associations on the line for the stuff that he believed in.”
I asked him what he will remember Rob Reiner for.
“Steadfastness as a friend and partner and director. You could rely on him. It’s horrible. The longer and the longer story goes on, the worse it gets.”