Rob Reiner’s First Marriage: Remembering Penny Marshall Amid Tragic News of the Director’s Death

Key Points

• Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele were found dead in their Brentwood home on December 14, 2025, according to TMZ.
• LAPD’s Robbery Homicide Division is investigating; People reports their son Nick Reiner is believed to be the perpetrator.
• Before marrying Michele in 1989, Reiner was married to actress and filmmaker Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981.
• Reiner adopted Marshall’s daughter, Tracy, who later became an actress.
• Reiner publicly mourned Marshall’s death in 2018, calling her “born with a funnybone.”

A Look Back at Rob Reiner’s First Marriage as Hollywood Mourns His Death

As Hollywood processes the shocking deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, many are revisiting the director’s early life and relationships — including his first marriage to actress and director Penny Marshall, one of the most influential comedic voices of her generation.

Reiner and Michele were discovered in their Brentwood home on December 14, 2025, with authorities confirming an active homicide investigation. Their daughter, Romy Reiner, reportedly found the bodies, and People cites sources identifying their son Nick Reiner as the alleged perpetrator.

Amid the tragedy, attention has turned to Reiner’s earlier chapter with Penny Marshall, a partnership that shaped both their personal lives and early careers.

Rob Reiner and Penny Marshall: A Hollywood Marriage (1971–1981)

Reiner married Penny Marshall — known for Laverne & Shirley, Big, and A League of Their Own — in 1971. The couple remained together for a decade before divorcing in 1981.

During their marriage, Reiner adopted Marshall’s daughter Tracy, from her previous marriage to Michael Henry. Tracy later appeared in several major films, including When Harry Met Sally and Apollo 13.

The pair were photographed frequently throughout the 1970s, often appearing at industry events with young Tracy.

Life After Divorce: Reiner’s Second Marriage and Family

Eight years after his divorce from Marshall, Reiner married Michele Singer in 1989. Together, they raised three children — Jake, Romy, and Nick — and remained married until their deaths in 2025.

Reiner’s Tribute to Penny Marshall After Her Passing

When Penny Marshall died in 2018 at age 75 due to complications from diabetes, Reiner publicly honored her legacy. In a heartfelt message, he wrote:

“So sad about Penny… I loved Penny. I grew up with her. She was born with a great gift — a funnybone and the instinct of how to use it. I was very lucky to have lived with her and her funnybone. I will miss her.”

Marshall once shared that she and Reiner grew up across the street from each other in the Bronx, though they didn’t meet until she appeared on The Odd Couple in 1971. They later acted together in a 1974 episode titled “The Rain in Spain.”

What Happens Next?

The LAPD continues its investigation into the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner. As the entertainment industry mourns, tributes are expected to pour in for the director behind When Harry Met Sally, Stand by Me, and A Few Good Men. Meanwhile, Marshall’s legacy — and her connection to Reiner — remains an enduring part of Hollywood history.