A group of Rob Reiner’s closest friends, including Billy Crystal and Larry David, released a joint tribute Tuesday after Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead at their Brentwood home in Los Angeles. The message called the couple “a special force together” and said, “We were their friends, and we will miss them forever.”
The statement opened with a defense of moviegoing as a shared experience and credited Reiner with lessons drawn from his father, Carl Reiner, and his mentor Norman Lear. The signers praised his range across comedy, drama, mockumentary and documentary, writing, “There is no other director who has his range.” They said he “charmed audiences” who “trusted him” enough to keep returning to his films.
They also described a director who listened, welcomed ideas, and treated writers and actors as partners. On Michele, the statement described her as Rob’s “perfect partner” in civic work, then quoted “It’s a Wonderful Life” on the “awful hole” left when someone is gone.
The tribute arrived as prosecutors moved ahead in the case. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Tuesday that the Reiners’ son, Nick Reiner, 32, was charged with two counts of murder, with a special-circumstance allegation of multiple murders and an allegation that he used a knife.
Hochman called the deaths “shocking and tragic” and said, “We owe it to their memory to pursue justice and accountability for the lives that were taken.” Prosecutors said Nick Reiner could face death or life in state prison without the possibility of parole, and said they will decide later if they seek the death penalty. The Associated Press reported he was expected to appear in court Wednesday after an earlier appearance was postponed for medical clearance.
Former President Barack Obama mourned the couple, and Michelle Obama said she and her husband had planned to see them that night. President Donald Trump’s post about Reiner drew backlash from Republicans and Democrats.
