Friends issue joint tribute after Rob and Michele Reiner's deaths
Close circle of peers honors director-actor and his wife, emphasizing storytelling range and partnership
A group of Rob Reiner's longtime friends released a joint statement Tuesday honoring the director and actor and his wife Michele Reiner after the couple's deaths. The Associated Press obtained the full statement, which was signed by Billy and Janice Crystal, Albert and Kimberly Brooks, Martin Short, Alan and Robin Zweibel, Larry David and Ashley Underwood, Marc Shaiman and Lou Mirabal, Barry and Diana Levinson, and Ambassador James Costos and Michael Smith.
The statement lauds Reiner's career arc and lifelong immersion in storytelling, noting that he drew on lessons from his father Carl Reiner and from mentor Norman Lear to become a master storyteller whose work spans comedy, drama, mockumentary and documentary. It says audiences trusted him and that crowds consistently turned out to see his films. The remarks emphasize that watching his movies—often in a dark cinema with strangers sharing a common experience—remains an unforgettable thrill, and they acknowledge that there is no other director who matches his range.
The signatories say Reiner elevated collaborators through a collaborative approach and that his greatest gift was freedom: if someone had an idea, he listened and brought them into the process, creating a sense that the team owned the work. The statement describes him as someone who loved actors, helped writers grow, and fostered an environment where creativity thrived.
It also portrays Rob as a passionate, brave citizen who cared for the country and worked with Michele to advance the common good. They call Michele strong and determined, noting that the couple dedicated much of their lives to the betterment of others and describing them as a special force together—dynamic, unselfish and inspiring.
The friends close by recalling that they were privileged to know the Reiners and that they will miss them deeply. They invoke a line from Rob’s favorite film, It’s a Wonderful Life, about how a life touches many others and leaves a hole when a person is gone.
The Associated Press and ABC News, Entertainment reported on the release of the statement on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, as part of ongoing coverage of the Reiners' legacy in film and culture.