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By Jenni Fink and Jesus Mesa
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Rob Reiner spent more than an hour on the phone with actor Eric Idle the night before he and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found stabbed to death in their Los Angeles home, Idle said. The conversation, described by Idle as a warm and reflective exchange, was among the filmmaker’s final moments.
"He was telling me about filming at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future. This is so awful. I shall miss him. A clever, talented and very thoughtful man. So awful," Idle posted on X.
The Context
Reiner, 78, and his wife, 72, were discovered Sunday dead with knife wounds. Reiner was known for directing films including This Is Spinal Tap (1984), When Harry Met Sally... (1989), Stand by Me (1986), A Few Good Men (1992), Misery (1990), and The Princess Bride (1987). His TV credits include a role in the sitcom All in the Family, for which he won two Emmy Awards. He was also active behind the scenes in producing both comedic and dramatic projects throughout his career.
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Outside of entertainment, he and Michele were outspoken supporters of Democratic causes.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating the deaths as homicides.
What To Know
Idle said he met Reiner in 1975 and that they had remained close friends for five decades. At the time of his death, Reiner was reportedly working on a reboot of the sitcom Fawlty Towers with Idle's fellow Monty Python member John Cleese, a project Reiner and his wife were producing, Deadline reported.
Their deaths drew tributes from across the political and entertainment spectrum.
Former President Barack Obama wrote on X that he and his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, were “heartbroken” over the couple’s deaths. “Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen. 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,” Obama posted on X.
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Actor Josh Gad described Reiner and his wife as “two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine.” James Woods, who worked with Reiner on Ghosts of Mississippi, said their political differences never affected their friendship. “I am devastated by this terrible event,” Woods wrote.
Other actors recalled the influence Reiner’s work had on their careers. Ben Stiller called him “one of my favourite directors” and said, “He made some of the most formative movies for my generation.” Paul Walter Hauser credited A Few Good Men as the reason he became an actor, writing, “Rob's filmography behind the camera is THE reason I wanted to direct and still do.”
Where Is Rob Reiner's Home?
The Reiners lived in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, a well-known residential area that has long been home to celebrities, executives, and public figures. The LAPD said the couple was found inside their home, located on a quiet street in the area. Authorities have not released further details about the crime scene or what may have led up to the incident.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post: "A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS. He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before. May Rob and Michele rest in peace!"
California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement: “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.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement: "This is a devastating loss for our city and our country. Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement: "The news of a deadly assault on Rob and Michele Reiner in their home is devastating. It’s hard to think of anyone more remarkable and excellent in every field and endeavor they pursued. Rob was creative, funny, and beloved. And in all of their endeavors, Michele was his indispensable partner, intellectual resource, and a loving wife."
Filmmaker Joe Russo posted on X: “I can’t handle the truth that one of the greatest filmmakers to ever live is gone. We lost one of the few good men.”
What Happens Next
The LAPD is treating the deaths as homicides and has confirmed that an investigation is ongoing. No suspect has been officially named, but their son, Nick Reiner, is being questioned by police, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told Newsweek.
Update 12/15/25, 10:41 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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