Rob Reiner, Acclaimed Director Behind When Harry Met Sally and Stand By Me, Dies at 78 in Apparent Homicide

Rob Reiner, the Oscar-winning director and actor who helped shape modern American cinema, died Sunday at age 78, authorities said, in what investigators are treating as an apparent homicide involving his wife, Michele Singer Reiner. The couple’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fans alike. Former President Barack Obama offered a public tribute on X, praising Reiner’s work across film and television and highlighting the couple’s lifelong commitment to service and purpose.

Reiner’s career spanned more than four decades and multiple genres, from sharp-edged comedies to tense thrillers and emotionally resonant dramas. He directed This Is Spinal Tap (1984), a mockumentary that became a cult favorite and helped launch his directing career; Stand By Me (1986), a coming-of-age drama rooted in Stephen King’s novella; and The Princess Bride (1987), a beloved blend of romance, adventure and humor that has endured as a family favorite. He also steered When Harry Met Sally... (1989), a defining romantic comedy of its era, and Misery (1990), a claustrophobic thriller adapted from King’s novel. His work in A Few Good Men (1992) or The American President (1995) demonstrated a facility for political and social themes, while Flipped (2010) introduced a new generation to his storytelling sensibility. The Princess Bride has been preserved in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry, underscoring its enduring cultural significance.

Fans seeking to revisit Reiner’s catalog can find many of his films available across major streaming platforms and digital storefronts. This Is Spinal Tap is available on HBO Max, with options to purchase or rent on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Stand By Me streams on Netflix and Fubo TV. The Princess Bride is currently available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu. When Harry Met Sally... can be streamed on Starz, with additional purchase options on Google Play and Apple TV. Misery is offered for purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Fandango.

A Few Good Men can be purchased on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play, while The American President is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Apple TV. Flipped can be rented or purchased on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. The breadth of these options underscores how Reiner’s work continues to reach new audiences as streaming platforms evolve, ensuring that many of his defining films remain accessible to viewers around the world.

The collaborations and performances that marked Reiner’s career—whether it was the sly humor of This Is Spinal Tap, the adventurous spirit of The Princess Bride, the heartfelt cadence of When Harry Met Sally..., or the taut tension of Misery—have left an enduring imprint on pop culture. Tributes from colleagues, scholars, and fans alike emphasize not only the films themselves but also the values Reiner championed in his work and in his public life. As the film industry processes the loss, viewers can look to his catalog as a measure of the breadth and depth of his influence on culture and entertainment.