The worlds of entertainment and politics have been mourning iconic director-actor Rob Reiner and wife Michele Reiner after the couple’s killing yesterday, with tributes pouring in from former collaborators, friends and governmental figures. Now, late-night figures are adding to the chorus of voices, honoring the Oscar-nominated multi-hyphenate, who left an indelible impact on cinema through his contributions in front of and behind the lens.
Seth Meyers took a moment to discuss his fondest memories of the All in the Family alum, saying he was “lucky” to have spent time with the “delightful” couple. Meyers noted he first had the versatile filmmaker as a guest on his show for the first time a couple of months ago, saying he “could have talked to [Reiner] for hours” about his work and career.
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The comedian went on to share an anecdote: When he and Reiner were both at Norman Lear’s 100th birthday celebration, the prolific TV producer was struggling to put into words some of his favorite stories, so Reiner prompted the Archie Bunker creator to tell attendees about the one time he hid in a birthday present.
“I know this sounds like a story about Norman, but it’s also a really great story about Rob,” Meyers said, “because Rob was known, Rob had this reputation for getting the best out of people, and if you watch his films, you know that is something he had the skill with [sic], but to see him in person and know that’s what he was like in his real life as well — it was just so truly special to see.”
The late-night host also addressed President Donald Trump‘s much-criticized comments on Reiner’s death, in which the POTUS attacked and blamed The American President filmmaker for his murder. The GOP leader doubled down on his remarks earlier today despite being widely censured for them, reiterating his previous statement claiming Reiner was killed “due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.”
Meyers went on to characterize the official response as uncouth: “Rob was no fan of the president, and because of that, the president was no fan of Rob’s … Just about 12 hours after Rob and Michele had been murdered in their own home, he wanted to take the opportunity to go on social media and post his thoughts about this tragedy. I feared this was something he was going to do, and I was pretty certain that it would cast a shadow on what was already a really dark day, but it was even worse than I could have imagined.”
The Saturday Night Live alum also said he initially thought the Reiners were killed because of their politics or Jewish identity, noting we are currently living through “a terrible time” if these thoughts “rationally” enter his mind. “And what a good time it would be to have a leader with a moral compass,” Meyers continued.
It was a sentiment also expressed by Jimmy Kimmel, who opened his monologue by calling the A Few Good Men helmer “one of our greatest directors and patriots.”
“What we need in a time like this, besides common sense when it comes to guns and mental healthcare, is compassion and leadership,” Kimmel said. “We did not get that from our president because he has none of it to give … Just when you think he can’t go any lower, he somehow finds a way to do that.”
He added further of Trump’s initial Truth Social post: “Blaming [Reiner’s] death on the fact that he is an outspoken liberal, insulting someone who’s just been murdered, who leaves children behind without having any idea of what actually happened, it’s so hateful and vile. When I first saw it, I thought it was fake. My wife showed it to me this morning; I was like, ‘Well, even for him, that’d seem like too much.’ But nothing is ever too much for him.”
Afterward, Kimmel played a clip from Trump’s recent press conference in the Oval Office, during which he once again called Reiner “deranged.” The video received loud jeers from the audience, as Kimmel said, “That corroded brain is in charge of our lives.”
He concluded, “I know from my personal interactions with Rob Reiner that he would want us to keep pointing out the loathsome atrocities that continue to ooze out of this sick and irresponsible man’s mouth.”
Recalling his childhood introduction to Reiner’s oeuvre, through an HBO airing of This is Spinal Tap, Meyers additionally said, “Years before I met the man, I had been lucky enough to connect with Rob through his work. I feel as though he had almost reached out of the television to me and, I’m sure, so many other people like me, and said, ‘You should do this. You should try to do this with your life, it’s as much fun as it looks.'”
Meyers concluded that Reiner was a figure who exemplified “what comedy could be,” who “set an example, and there’s such a value in that, and we have to do everything we can to not make setting an example a lost art.”
Jimmy Fallon opened his brief tribute by deeming the Seinfeld producer an “entertainment legend.” He continued, “Rob was a frequent guest here on the show, and everyone here would line up around his dressing room to say hi or tell him something that they loved … Everyone felt like they had a personal connection to Rob Reiner and his work. I personally remember the last time he was on our show, and he came out from the curtain, and I was so happy to see him that I hugged him, and then we didn’t let go hugging all the way to the guest chair.”
Fallon concluded, “He was one of the smartest and funniest people I’ve ever met. What a tremendous loss, and he leaves behind such a legacy. Thank you for all the great work, on and off screen, and continuing to be an inspiration to me and millions of people around the world. In the end, I’m gonna remember all of the laughs you’ve given us.”
Stephen Colbert kept it brief at the top of his show. He mentioned the shootings at Bondi Beach and Brown University and the Reiner family tragedy, then said the show must go on.
“Other people’s tragedy is sacred ground and we try not to walk there. But we are going to do a comedy show tonight, in light of — and in spite of — the darkness,” he said.
Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner, a prominent photographer-producer, were found slain from apparent knife wounds in their Brentwood home Sunday afternoon. Though a late-night presser by the LAPD indicated an early investigation with no suspect being pursued at the time, 32-year-old son Nick Reiner was booked in the early morning hours of Monday in connection with the death of his parents. In what will now proceed as a murder investigation, the younger Reiner is being held without bail, facing impending arraignment and a possible double homicide charge, which, if found guilty, would constitute a life sentence without parole.