Hollywood was left reeling after acclaimed director, producer and actor Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead at their home in the upscale Brentwood area of Los Angeles on Sunday (Dec 14).
Authorities were dispatched to the residence at about 3.30pm following a medical aid call. First responders from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) discovered the bodies of a 78-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman, later identified as Rob and Michele Reiner, according to People magazine.
Law enforcement has launched a homicide investigation, with multiple sources telling People that the couple’s son, Nick Reiner, is being investigated in connection with their deaths. As of now, authorities have not publicly confirmed an arrest or filed formal charges.
The case has drawn added attention due to Nick Reiner’s past struggles with drug addiction, which he previously spoke about openly. In a 2016 interview, he said his substance abuse began in his early teens and led to repeated stints in rehabilitation and periods of homelessness across several states.
“Now, I’ve been home for a really long time, and I’ve sort of gotten acclimated back to being in LA and being around my family,” Nick said at the time, referring to experiences that later inspired the semi-autobiographical film Being Charlie, which he co-wrote.
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner met in 1989 while he was directing the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally…. They married the same year and had three children together. Reiner was previously married to actress-director Penny Marshall, who died in 2018.
Born in the Bronx, New York, Reiner was the son of legendary comedian Carl Reiner and actress-singer Estelle Lebost. He first rose to fame as an actor playing Mike “Meathead” Stivic on the iconic television sitcom All in the Family.
He later became one of Hollywood’s most respected filmmakers, directing a series of celebrated films including This Is Spinal Tap (1984), Stand by Me (1986), The Princess Bride (1987), Misery (1990) and A Few Good Men (1992).
Authorities have not released further details as investigations continue, and the family has requested privacy amid the unfolding tragedy.
