Hollywood figures including Billy Crystal, Larry David, and Martin Short have paid tribute to filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner, following news of his death. Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead at their Los Angeles home on Sunday, December 14, prompting an outpouring of remembrance from friends and collaborators across the entertainment industry.
A joint statement honoring Reiner was released to the Associated Press and signed by a group of close friends and colleagues. Among them were Billy Crystal and Janice Crystal, Albert and Kimberly Brooks, Larry David and Ashley Underwood, Barry and Diana Levinson, Alan and Robin Zweibel, and former U.S. ambassador James Costos with his husband Michael Smith.
A Filmmaker Who United Audiences
The statement reflected on Reiner’s impact as a storyteller and filmmaker, praising his ability to connect audiences through cinema.
“Going to the movies in a dark theater filled with strangers having a common experience… is still an unforgettable thrill,” the tribute read. “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 storyteller.”
Friends highlighted Reiner’s extraordinary range, noting his success across comedy, drama, mockumentary, and documentary filmmaking. They described him as a director audiences trusted and eagerly followed from project to project.
A Collaborative Spirit on Set
The tribute emphasized Reiner’s collaborative approach, particularly his deep respect for actors and writers. According to the statement, Reiner fostered creative freedom and made collaborators feel valued.
“For the actors, he loved them. For the writers, he made them better,” the group wrote. “His greatest gift was freedom. If you had an idea, he listened.”
Friends said working with Reiner felt like being part of a team, describing the experience as both a privilege and a defining part of his legacy.
Beyond Film: A Life of Civic Engagement
In addition to his creative achievements, Reiner was remembered for his civic engagement and dedication to public life. The statement described him as a “passionate, brave citizen” who cared deeply about the country and worked to improve it.
Michele Singer Reiner was also remembered with admiration. The couple, married in 1989, were described as a powerful partnership, united by shared values and purpose.
“They were a special force together—dynamic, unselfish, and inspiring,” the tribute said.
A Lasting Absence
The statement concluded with a quote from It’s a Wonderful Life, one of Reiner’s favorite films, reflecting on the profound loss felt by those who knew him.
“Each man’s life touches so many other lives, and when he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole,” the quote read. “You have no idea.”
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Authorities have confirmed that Reiner and his wife had three children. Their son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, with prosecutors alleging the use of a knife. He is currently being held without bail, and an arraignment date has not yet been set. Prosecutors have not indicated whether they will seek the death penalty.
