UPDATED with latest: Colleagues, friends, fans across Hollywood are aghast over the sudden deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner, who were found slain in their Brentwood, CA home Sunday.
Several actors who starred in Reiner’s cinematic canon have shared their sympathies including This Is Spinal Tap‘s Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer, Stand By Me‘s Kiefer Sutherland, Misery‘s Kathy Bates, Elijah Wood, who starred in Reiner’s 1994 family movie North was “horrified” while Virginia Madsen who starred in the filmmaker’s 1996 drama Ghosts of Mississippi posted, “Thank you Rob for giving us so much joy to hold on to. Life and talent always turned up to 11.”
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Sutherland, who played the antagonist in Reiner’s 1986 take of Stephen King tome, Stand by Me, and also reteamed with the filmmaker in A Few Good Men, writes, “Like so many, my heart was broken today when I heard the news about Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife, Michele. Rob was one of the kindest gentleman I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, when I was very young he gave me an opportunity that changed my life, and I will forever be grateful.”
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Shearer, who co-wrote the This Is Spinal Tap movies with Reiner, and played the British hard rock bassist Derek Smalls in the mockumentary posted about this collaborator, “When he came to see the comedy act I was in, and, later, the musical comedy I had co-written, his laugh was uproarious and audible around the block.”
Paul McCartney, who made a cameo in Spinal Tap II, called Reiner, “an upbeat, lovable man.”
Said Morgan Freeman who starred opposite Jack Nicholson in the 2007 Reiner Warner Bros comedy The Bucket List, “Rob was a terrific director. A man for all reasons.”
Wrote Stephen King, whose Misery and Stand By Me tomes were turned into big screen blockbusters by Reiner:
John Cusack, who starred in Reiner’s The Sure Thing, posted: “Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner – a great man.”
Castle Rock Entertainment, Reiner’s production company of not only his big movies like A Few Good Men and Misery, but also the hit long-running NBC sitcom, Seinfeld, also released a statement with President Matthew George, saying:
“Rob Reiner’s legacy as a filmmaker has shaped generations. He is, quite simply, an icon of American cinema. His work helped define an era of storytelling, and its influence continues to be felt across the industry.
For many of us at Castle Rock, Rob was not only a legend, but a mentor, collaborator, and creative force whose presence elevated every project he touched. To work alongside him was both exhilarating and humbling—a rare privilege that never lost its sense of awe.
Michele was his equal in every respect: a devoted wife and mother, and an exceptional producer whose intelligence, steadiness, and creative insight were integral to the work they built together. Collaborating with Rob and Michele represented the very best of this business—demanding, rewarding, deeply authentic, and driven by a shared belief in the power of great storytelling.
At the time of this tragic event, Castle Rock was in the midst of a shared expansion plan. In the immediate term, all activity has paused as we take time to absorb the gravity of this loss. We are in shock and heartbroken. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rob and Michele, and with their family.
Castle Rock Entertainment holds a singular place in American entertainment—a legacy built with vision, courage, and heart. That legacy must endure. In time, Derrick Rossi, Hernán Narea, Jonathan Fuhrman, and the Castle Rock leadership team intend to carry the company forward as the iconic entertainment brand it has long been, honoring Rob and Michele, their family, and the extraordinary legacy they built together.”
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This morning, Kent Sanderson, the CEO of Bleecker Street, which released Reiner’s long-awaited sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues back in September, wrote, “We are shocked and devastated by this tragic loss. On behalf of myself and the Bleecker Street family, it was an incredible honor to get to work with Rob and his dedicated partner and collaborator Michele over this past year. As Rob’s indelible work is celebrated across the world, what we will miss most of all is the endless warmth, humor, joy, and passion they both brought to every moment we shared with them. Filmmaking is hard, being the kind of wonderful human beings, they were is even harder; they made both look easy.”
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos posted “One cannot overstate the cultural impact of Rob’s films”:
The Norman Lear Family issued the following on Sunday night: “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.”
Also sharing their condolences were a number of Reiner’s Democrat colleagues.
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama said that they were “heartbroken” by the Reiners’ tragic deaths.
“Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen,” the former President wrote on X. “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.”
Congresswoman and former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi wrote, “Personally, Rob cared deeply about people and demonstrated that in his civic activities — whether by supporting the First 5 initiative or fighting against Prop 8 in California. Civically, he was a champion for the First Amendment and the creative rights of artists. And professionally, he was an iconic figure in film who made us laugh, cry and think with the movies he created.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass emphasized that Reiner’s death is “a devastating loss for our city and our country.”
Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom issued the following statement:
“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.
“That empathy extended well beyond his films. Rob was a passionate advocate for children and for civil rights — from taking on Big Tobacco to 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.”
Write Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro today:
Bridesmaid and Housemaid filmmaker Paul Feig shared, “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.”
Josh Gad, who stars in the upcoming Josh Greenbaum-directed Spaceballs 2, said that Reiner “cared so much for those who had no voices. This loss is devastating.”
Primetime Emmy winner Paul Walter Hauser expressed, “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” and how he first met Reiner at UCB Los Angeles Theatre on Franklin Ave in 2010. Performing in an ASSCAT improv show in front of the A Few Good Men director, Hauser told himself, “Commit to this. Rob Reiner is watching”.
Black Phone franchise writer and producer C. Robert Cargill wrote, “Legend isn’t a big enough word.”
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Just an unspeakable and horrifying tragedy. There is too much damn violence on a daily basis. Rob was a great man and a great filmmaker. His voice was always appreciated in pursuit of democracy. He was kind and gracious. May he and Michelle rest in peace 🙏🏻❤️
Totally horrific. Heartbreaking.
So sad!!!