Tributes Pour In as Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner Die in Apparent Homicide

Hollywood is mourning filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, after their deaths Sunday in an apparent homicide, authorities said, with investigators continuing to examine the circumstances. A family spokesperson said in a statement, “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.” Authorities soon opened an investigation into the deaths.

Rob Reiner, 78, is remembered for a string of films that helped define a generation of cinema, including This Is Spinal Tap (1984), Stand By Me (1986), The Princess Bride (1987), Misery (1990) and When Harry Met Sally… (1989). He also co-founded Castle Rock Entertainment in 1987 and gained fame earlier as Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the long-running 1970s sitcom All in the Family. Michele Singer Reiner, 68, was a photographer, producer and actor who worked on several projects with her husband, including Misery and the documentary Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (2023). She also photographed President Donald Trump for the cover of his book The Art of the Deal (1987).

In the hours after the deaths were announced, tributes flowed from across Hollywood and beyond. The Screen Actors Guild‑American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) recalled Reiner’s nearly six decades as a member and highlighted the creator’s dual legacy as a filmmaker and activist. “Tributes will pour in and the impossibly long list of genre‑defining films and indelible performances will play in our minds and hearts,” SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin said in a statement. “So many of Mr. Reiner’s films and performances made me think, made me emotional and especially they made me laugh really hard. That’s how I will remember him.”

Others joined in with personal remembrances from across the entertainment world. Comedian George Wallace wrote, “Nothing but love for ya,” on X, alongside a photo with Reiner, while Roseanne Barr posted that she was “absolutely shocked and horrified” by the news and prayed for swift justice. Actor Elijah Wood said he was “horrified to hear” of the deaths and sent love to the Reiner family, and actor Jeremy London wrote that losing Rob Reiner would leave a hole in Hollywood that could never be filled. James Woods, who acted in Ghosts of Mississippi, a Reiner film, said he and Reiner had remained “good friends” since filming and noted that political differences never stood in the way of their respect for one another.

Reiner and Singer were also known for their activism in Hollywood, particularly in advancing civil rights and marriage equality. Reiner helped cultivate First 5 California, an initiative to support early childhood development programs funded by a tobacco tax, and the couple founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights to challenge Proposition 8, the state ballot measure that banned same‑sex marriage. The pair’s advocacy drew praise from across the political spectrum, even as former President Donald Trump used the moment to attack Reiner’s political views in a post on Truth Social, saying the director’s beliefs reflected a broader “mind crippling disease” campaign.

Among those offering kinder words were former President Barack Obama and California leaders. Obama said he and his wife, Michelle, were heartbroken, praising Reiner’s body of work and his belief in the goodness of people and the power of action. California Gov. Gavin Newsom lauded Reiner’s empathy and his impact on culture, saying his films helped generations see “goodness and righteousness in others” and inspired people to dream bigger. Representative Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, lauded Reiner as a creator and civic activist who championed the First Amendment and the rights of artists. Senator and former vice president Kamala Harris posted that Reiner loved the country and fought for democracy, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called him a big-hearted genius whose work made California and the world a better place.

The investigation into the deaths continues, with authorities not publicly disclosing suspects or a motive as more details are awaited. Time’s reporting noted the immediate outpouring of tributes from colleagues, friends and fans who recalled Reiner’s influence on film, television and public life. As the case develops, the entertainment industry and public figures alike are grappling with the loss of a pair whose work spanned decades and whose advocacy sought to expand rights and opportunities for others while entertaining and challenging audiences around the world.