Tributes pour in after homicide death of actor-director Rob Reiner and wife Michele

Tributes have poured in after the murder of legendary American director and actor Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner.

Authorities had responded to a medical aid call to the Reiners' Los Angeles home on Sunday afternoon, where Rob (78) and Michele (68) were found dead. Police officials allegedly told ABC News the couple was stabbed to death.

Yesterday, the Los Angeles Police Department announced their investigation had revealed Nick Reiner, the couple's 32-year-old son, was responsible for their deaths. Police said Nick was arrested and booked for murder on Sunday night, and he remains in custody with no bail.

Nick was known to have dealt with drug addiction and homelessness in the past. In interviews, he described going into rehab as young as 15 years old. Police said Nick had been seen arguing with his parents at a Christmas party hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien on December 13.

Rob Reiner first came to prominence as a TV actor, before directing classic films like This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, Stand By Me and A Few Good Men.

He's also acted in the likes of Sleepless in Seattle, The Wolf of Wall Street, The First Wives Club and New Girl. 

Friends and fans from around the world have taken to social media to pay their respects.

Paul McCartney — who made an appearance in Reiner’s final film, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, released in September — posted a photo from the film's set on Instagram.

"It is so shocking in many ways but for me especially so, because over the last year I had been working with him," said McCartney in the caption.

"He was such an upbeat, lovable man. Life can be so unfair and this tragedy proves it. His father, Carl Reiner, was a great humourist before him and Rob followed in his dad’s footsteps doing a terrific job making many great films.

"I will always have fond memories of Rob and the idea that he and his wife will no longer be in the world with us is heartbreaking."

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Paul McCartney (@paulmccartney)

English actor and musician Eric Idle shared that he had spoken to Reiner "for over an hour" the night before his death in a post on X.

"He was telling me about fiming at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future," the Monty Python actor said.

"This is so awful. I shall miss him. A clever, talented and very thoughtful man. So awful."

Rob Reiner was a lovely man. 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 fiming at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future. This is so awful. I shall miss him. A clever, talented and…

— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) December 15, 2025

Fellow director Guillermo del Toro described Reiner's death as "a staggering loss."

"Rob Reiner was a true and good human being and an extraordinary director," del Toro said.

"He was vital and honest and him and Michele were cornerstones of their community and committed to their art and the good of everyone around them."

Rob Reiner was a true and good human being and an extraordinary director. He was vital and honest and him and amichele were cornerstones of their community and committed to their art and the good of everyone around them. A staggering loss.

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) December 15, 2025

Director and actor Tim Robbins expressed how "devastated" he was by the Reiners' deaths in a post on X.

"I am indebted to Rob for giving me a leg up in this business, casting me in the first film I could be proud of being in, The Sure Thing and later giving me the gift of a lifetime when I was cast in The Shawshank Redemption, a film Rob produced," Robbins said.

"My heart goes out to his family and the thousands of people in the film business that were lucky enough to work with him, witness his great talent and be invited into his large, loving heart. This is a crushing loss. All my love and prayers to Rob and Michele. Flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

I am devastated by the death of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele. He was an inspired and brilliant director and a kind, good, loving man who lived his life as a tireless and generous advocate for others. I am indebted to Rob for giving me a leg up in this business, casting me in…

— Tim Robbins (@TimRobbins1) December 15, 2025

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, known for its annual Academy Awards (also known as The Oscars), said "Reiner’s impact on cinema is immeasurable" in a post on X. Reiner was nominated for an Academy Award for 1992 legal drama A Few Good Men.

"Across decades, his work shaped how we laugh, how we love, and how we tell stories," The Academy said.

"His films became cultural touchstones... endlessly quoted, revisited, and cherished across generations...Rob told stories with uncommon warmth and clarity, moving seamlessly between comedy, romance, drama, and suspense. In his films, we continue to find laughter, love, and a reflection of ourselves."

Rob Reiner’s impact on cinema is immeasurable.

Across decades, his work shaped how we laugh, how we love, and how we tell stories. From the razor-sharp satire of 'This Is Spinal Tap' to the aching nostalgia of 'Stand by Me,' the enduring romance of 'The Princess Bride' and 'When… pic.twitter.com/zzVnBbPBnP

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) December 15, 2025

Terminator actor Arnold Schwarzenegger described Reiner as "a rare talent" in Hollywood: "He could act, he could produce, he could direct, and he was amazing at all three."

"He was a creative genius who left us some of the greatest movies of all time, and he was a wonderful friend," Schwarzenegger said.

In 2006, Reiner was mentioned as a potential candidate to run against Schwarzenegger for California governor but declined, telling reporters, "I don't want to be an elected official, I want to get things done."

Author Stephen King, whose novels were adapted to screen by Reiner in award-winning films Stand By Me and Misery, said he was "horrified and saddened" by the couple's death.

"Wonderful friend, political ally, and brilliant filmmaker," said King, adding, "Rest in peace, Rob. You always stood by me."

Reiner was known as a long-time activist for progressive issues. He helped co-found the American Foundation for Equal Rights with filmmaker Dustin Lance Black and several other Hollywood figures, which helped to legalise same-sex marriage in California in 2015.

Lance Black took to Instagram to express how his "heart is broken" at the loss of "two of the most spectacular human beings I will ever know—mentors, teachers, cheerleaders, and collaborators."

"And yet, through the grief and confusion, I can hear Rob and Michele urging me to look into my heart while it is broken open—to find the strength and wisdom they helped plant deep inside of it, and to use that strength, love, and pain to continue their brave work," Lance Black said.

"Rob and Michele lived with uncommon courage, boundless compassion, and a belief in humanity that changed everyone lucky enough to know them."

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dustin Lance Black (@dlanceblack)

Many figures from the world of politics also paid tribute to the Reiners; California Governor Gavin Newsom has paid tribute to Reiner and his wife Michele on social media – stating he is "heartbroken by the tragic loss" and describing Reiner as a "big-hearted genius."

Former US President Barack Obama said he and his wife Michelle "are heartbroken by the tragic passing" of the couple in a post on X.

"Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen," Obama said.

"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. Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose. They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired."

Meanwhile, celebrities and politicians from across the board have condemned US President Donald Trump for a bizarre post blaming Reiner's dislike of Trump for his death.

In a Monday post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump described Reiner as a "tortured and struggling, but once very talented" filmmaker.

Trump went on to claim Reiner and his wife died "due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME."

Trump alleged Reiner "was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump" and accused Reiner of having "obvious paranoia" toward him and his administration.

pic.twitter.com/pibzXhB2x9

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 15, 2025

Later on Monday, Trump continued to mock the late director while speaking to reporters at an unrelated White House Event. He called Reiner "very bad for our country" and "a deranged person," and accused him of being behind "the Russia hoax."

Rob Reiner publicly criticised Trump during both his first and second terms, having backed Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Kamala Harris in 2024. He continued to encourage the American people to speak out against Trump this year as organisations such as the V-Dem Institute have identified a record rate of democratic backsliding in the United States.

Michele Reiner was the photographer behind the cover of Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

The White Stripes musician Jack White condemned Trump on Instagram, calling the president a "disgusting, vile, egomaniac, loser, child."

"Neither he nor any one of his followers can defend this gross, horrible insult to a beautiful artist who gave the world so much," White said.

"To use someone's tragic death to promote your own vanity and fascist authoritarian agenda is a corrupt and narcissistic sin. Shame on you trump and anyone who defends this. God bless you Rob Reiner and thank you for what you gave the world. I never even met you and I still stand by you."

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jack White (@officialjackwhite)

California Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump "a sick man" while California Democratic representative Zoe Lofgren said it was "a new low for this petty, hateful man" and urged the Republican party to condemn the comments.

Several Republicans have spoken out against Trump on the matter; Georgia Republican representative Marjorie Taylor Greene said on X, "This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies."

"Rob Reiner and his wife were tragically killed at the hands of their own son, who reportedly had drug addiction and other issues, and their remaining children are left in serious mourning and heartbreak," Greene said.

"Many families deal with a family member with drug addiction and mental health issues. It’s incredibly difficult and should be met with empathy especially when it ends in murder."

Rob Reiner and his wife were tragically killed at the hands of their own son, who reportedly had drug addiction and other issues, and their remaining children are left in serious mourning and heartbreak.

This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.

Many… pic.twitter.com/uVd3lGVEgm

— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) December 15, 2025

Kentucky Republican representative Thomas Massie said, "Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered."

Actress and TV personality Whoopi Goldberg discussed the post on her morning talk show, The View, on Monday, calling Trump hypocritical for making light of Reiner's death.

"I don’t understand the man in that White House, because he talked so much about Charlie Kirk and caring, and suddenly this is what he puts out," Goldberg said.

"Have you no shame? No shame at all? Can you get any lower? I don’t think so."

After American conservative influencer Charlie Kirk was shot dead in September, the US State Department declared any non-American in the United States found to be "praising, rationalizing, or making light of" Charlie Kirk's death would be punished. Government officials encouraged social media users to report "any such comments by foreigners" to the Department.

Trump and his administration pledged to revoke visas, monitor political speech and penalise anyone making light of Kirk's death. According to a November investigation by Reuters, over 600 Americans were fired from their jobs over comments made relating to Kirk.

At the time, Reiner described Kirk's death as "absolute horror" and said such an attack "should never happen to anybody" while speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored. Reiner also said, "I don't care what your political beliefs are. That's not acceptable. That's not a solution to solving problems."

American actor Morgan Freeman posted a video of the Piers Morgan interview on X, writing, "If you are cheering & posting disgusting comments celebrating the tragic death of Rob Reiner, here is a video of his gracious, unifying comments on the murder of Charlie Kirk."

Dear MAGA — if you are cheering & posting disgusting comments celebrating the tragic death of Rob Reiner, here is a video of his gracious, unifying comments on the murder of Charlie Kirk.

PLEASE WATCH: pic.twitter.com/vjwwFTN8O3

— Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) December 15, 2025

Piers Morgan himself also reposted the video and wrote, "As President Trump trashes Rob Reiner following his murder, a reminder of how Reiner responded on my show to the murder of Charlie Kirk."