LIVE: Rob Reiner, Iconic Filmmaker and Actor, Found Dead at 78

Update | 12/16/2025 • 5:41 PM
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Tuesday that murder charges are expected to be filed this afternoon against Nick Reiner in connection with the deaths of his parents. Hochman said Nick Reiner will face two counts of first-degree murder, with the case qualifying as a special circumstances prosecution due to the alleged killing of multiple victims. Prosecutors also plan to file a special allegation that a knife was used, which is classified as a dangerous and deadly weapon. The charges carry a potential sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

Hochman said no decision has been made on whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty. He noted that the District Attorney’s Office will take “the thoughts and desires of the family into consideration” before making that determination.

Update | 12/16/2025 • 2:12 PM

New details have emerged about the events leading up to the deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. Multiple sources report that the night before the couple were found dead, they and their son, Nick Reiner, attended a holiday party hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. Witnesses at the event described Nick as acting erratically and disturbing other guests, including allegedly interrupting a conversation involving actor Bill Hader and then storming off after being rebuffed. Sources also said Nick and his father were involved in a loud argument before Rob and Michele left the party. These accounts have not been independently confirmed by law enforcement.

Update | 12/16/2025 • 9:18 AM

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed Tuesday morning that Nick Reiner remains in custody as detectives continue interviewing witnesses and reviewing forensic evidence. Authorities again declined to comment on potential charges or a motive, citing the ongoing investigation.

Update | 12/15/2025 • 6:47 PM

Law enforcement sources said investigators are awaiting autopsy results for Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, which are expected to help clarify the timeline and circumstances of their deaths. Officials emphasized that no official cause of death has yet been released.

Update | 12/15/2025 • 1:24 PM

Authorities have confirmed that Nick Reiner, the son of filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, is in custody as the investigation into the couple’s deaths continues. Law enforcement officials have not yet announced formal charges or detailed a motive, but the case remains under active investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division, according to multiple reports.

The Reiner family has not released an additional public statement. Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation as detectives continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses.

Veteran filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner, known for directing Hollywood classics and for his breakthrough television role in All in the Family, was found dead Sunday in his Brentwood, Los Angeles home alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, authorities and multiple news outlets report. He was 78.

According to People, the couple’s daughter, Romy Reiner, discovered their bodies inside the residence on December 14 after emergency services were alerted around 3:30 p.m. local time. Sources told People that the couple were killed by their son, Nick Reiner, who has a history of drug addiction.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical emergency call at approximately 3:38 p.m. local time on December 14 and discovered two deceased individuals inside the residence. Reports indicate both victims sustained injuries consistent with stab wounds.

Career That Spanned Decades

Reiner’s impact on American film and television was substantial and varied. He first rose to national prominence in the early 1970s as Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the groundbreaking sitcom All in the Family, a role that won him multiple Emmy Awards and cemented his place in television history.

Transitioning behind the camera, Reiner became one of Hollywood’s most beloved directors. His 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap became a cult classic and helped define the genre. He followed that success with a string of acclaimed and commercially successful films, including Stand by Me (1986), The Princess Bride (1987), When Harry Met Sally… (1989), Misery (1990), and A Few Good Men (1992).

Reiner’s versatility was evident in his ability to move between comedy, drama, romance, and suspense while crafting memorable characters and dialogue. When Harry Met Sally…, in particular, became iconic for its clever screenplay and sharp performances, with moments that endured in popular culture.

In 2025, Reiner directed Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, a sequel to his 1984 classic, marking his final completed film before his death.

Michele Singer Reiner: Partner in Life and Work

Michele Singer Reiner, 68, was not only Reiner’s wife but also a collaborator on various projects. The couple married in 1989 after meeting during the production of When Harry Met Sally… and shared a family together, including three children.

Singer Reiner had credits behind the camera as well, including work as a producer and in the camera department on films like Misery and Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (2023).

Legacy and Influence

Rob Reiner was the son of prolific comedian, writer, and director Carl Reiner, and grew up steeped in the entertainment world. Born on March 6, 1947, in the Bronx, New York, he developed a passion for storytelling that would drive a career lasting more than five decades.

Reiner’s work earned him respect not only from audiences but from peers across the industry. He was as comfortable in front of the camera as behind it, and his directorial achievements significantly shaped American popular culture from the late 20th century into the early 21st.

Trump's Statement

President Donald Trump released a heartless statement Monday morning on the senseless murders, writing on Truth Social:

“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.”

Rob Reiner and Donald Trump had a long, public history of political antagonism. Reiner was one of Hollywood’s most outspoken critics of Trump, frequently using interviews and social media to condemn Trump’s presidency, policies, and rhetoric. Trump, in turn, repeatedly attacked Reiner personally on social media, framing their exchanges as part of his broader criticism of liberal Hollywood figures.

Ongoing Investigation

While authorities have not released an official motive or confirmed the identity of any suspect through police statements, multiple sources told People that Nick Reiner is being questioned in connection with their deaths.

Law enforcement has not released charges or a formal statement identifying a suspect, and the investigation remains active. Representatives for the family have not yet provided an official comment beyond the initial discovery.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, and updates are expected as the investigation progresses.

This remains a developing story, and more details are expected as law enforcement updates emerge.