'One of the greatest': Shock at death of acclaimed director and actor Rob Reiner

LAST UPDATE | 19 hrs ago

TRIBUTES HAVE BEGUN to pour in for acclaimed actor and director Rob Reiner, who was found dead alongside his wife Michele Singer Reiner at their home in LA.

Police are investigating their deaths as apparent homicide.

Seventy-eight-year-old Reiner and Michele have three children together. Reiner has another daughter from his previous marriage. The couple married in 1989.

A directing legend, Reiner was particularly prolific during the 1980s and 1990s and is known for his cult classic films When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride, as well as This Is Spinal Tap.

Born in New York in 1947 to actress Estelle Reiner and actor and director Carl Reiner, who created and acted in The Dick Van Dyke Show, Reiner began his film and television career with a recurring role on show All in the Family in 1971.

He began his career directing in the following years and had numerous critic and box office successes.

The director of Stand by Me (1986), Misery (1990) and A Few Good Men (1992), Reiner also continued to feature in smaller roles in a number of films and television series. He appeared in The Bear and Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street, playing the role of Leonardo DiCaprio’s character Jordan Belfort’s father in the latter.

Acting and directing legends across Hollywood, as well as US politicians, have paid tribute to the late director.

Monty Python star Eric Idle said in a post on X that he spoke with Reiner in the hours before his death.

The English actor, 82, called Reiner “a clever, talented and very thoughtful man”, and said: “I spoke to him last night for over an hour. I always enjoyed his company. I met him at his Dad’s in 1975.

“He was telling me about filming at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future. This is so awful. I shall miss him.”

Cary Elwes, who starred in The Princess Bride as Westley, posted an image on his social media of his set chair beside Reiner’s on set of the film, with both chairs bearing their respective names.

“No words…” he captioned the photo.

Actor Josh Gad said Reiner was “one of the greatest directors of our time” and a “beautiful person” as he expressed his shock at the deaths of Reiner and his wife.

John Cusack, who starred in Reiner’s film The Sure Thing, wrote on X: “Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner – a great man.”

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The Lord Of The Rings star Elijah Wood, who appeared in Reiner’s 1994 family film North, posted: “Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michelle. So much love to their kids and family.”

Author Stephen King, whose books Reiner adapted into the films Stand By Me and Misery, said he was “horrified and saddened” by the death of Reiner and his wife Michele.

“Wonderful friend, political ally, and brilliant filmmaker (including 2 of mine). Rest in peace, Rob. You always stood by me,” he wrote on X.

In a joint statement to US publication Variety, actor Christopher Guest, who starred in This Is Spinal Tap and The Princess Bride, and his wife Jamie Lee Curtis said they were “numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michelle Singer Reiner and our ONLY focus and care right now is for their children and immediate families and we will offer all support possible to help them.

“There will be plenty of time later to discuss the creative lives we shared and the great political and social impact they both had on the entertainment industry, early childhood development, the fight for gay marriage and their global care for a world in crisis. We have lost great friends. Please give us time to grieve,” they said.

Former US president Barack Obama said that he and his wife Michelle were “heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele”. 

“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 wrote on X. 

California state governor Gavin Newsom said “Rob will be remembered for his remarkable filmography and for his extraordinary contribution to humanity”.

Former US vice president Kamala Harris also paid tribute to her “dear friends”, Reiner and his wife.

In a post on X, Harris said: “Rob and his wife Michele loved each other very much.

“Doug and I are devastated to learn of their passing. Our thoughts are with their loved ones during this tragic time.”

Former US speaker Nancy Pelosi described the news of Reiner’s death as “devastating”, describing him as “creative, funny, and beloved” in a tribute.

Pelosi also went on to praise his support of the Californian state-level initiative First 5, which aims to reduce childhood poverty in those up to the age of five years old by offering programs for health, learning, and family support.

She also noted his activism working to overturn California’s Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that outlawed same-sex marriages.

She said: “Rob cared deeply about people and demonstrated that in his civic activities – whether by supporting the First 5 initiative or fighting against Prop 8 in California.

“Civically, he was a champion for the First Amendment and the creative rights of artists. And professionally, he was an iconic figure in film who made us laugh, cry and think with the movies he created.

“Paul and I and our entire family mourn the loss of our very dear friends and are praying for their loved ones during an unimaginable time of grief.”

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