Hollywood stars, political leaders react to deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife

Hollywood stars and political leaders alike are paying homage to Rob Reiner, the prolific movie director, actor and social activist whose shocking death has triggered a wave of heartfelt tributes online. 

Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead Sunday in their Los Angeles home in what police described as an apparent homicide. Police said Monday that their son Nick Reiner has been arrested on murder charges.

With a career that spanned multiple genres over more than five decades, Rob Reiner is considered a legend by many in the film and television industry. He rose to fame as a comedic actor in the CBS sitcom “All in the Family,” and his directing credits include classic titles like “A Few Good Men,” “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally…” and “This is Spinal Tap.”

Stephen King said he was “horrified and saddened” by the news of the Reiners’ deaths in a post shared on X. Reiner’s coming-of-age drama “Stand by Me” was based on King’s novella “The Body,” and he also went on to direct the 1990 screen adaptation of the author’s thriller “Misery,” both of which won acclaim. 

“Wonderful friend, political ally, and brilliant filmmaker,” King said. “Rest in peace, Rob. You always stood by me.”

The actor and television host Jerry O’Connell, who was one of the young co-stars in “Stand By Me,” shared an photo on Instagram of himself and Reiner on the set of the 1986 movie. In its caption, he wrote: “Love you Rob. Sincerely.”

In an interview on “CBS Mornings,” O’Connell described Reiner’s death as “surreal” and reflected on the formative role that Reiner played in his life. 

“Rob was like a father to me,” he said. “Everything I have is because of Rob Reiner. … It’s just a sad, shocking day.”

“What a huge loss,” wrote Ben Stiller, who said Reiner was one of his favorite directors and praised his “incredible run of movies.”

“He made some of the most formative movies for my generation,” Stiller posted on X. “‘Spinal Tap’ is one of the best comedies ever made — and the list goes on. He was a kind caring person who was really really funny. I didn’t know him well but was always a fan and I feel a real sadness for those who did, and his family.”

“Thank you Rob for giving us so much joy to hold on to. Life and talent always turned up to 11,” actor Virginia Madsen, who appeared in Reiner’s 1996 film “Ghosts of Mississippi,” wrote on Instagram. 

James Woods, who starred in the same film, said in a post on X that Reiner had fought for him to play that part, and they “remained good friends ever since.”

Actor Josh Gad called Reiner “one of the greatest directors of our time.” His Instagram post included several photos of them together.

“He was a friend. He was simply a beautiful person,” Gad captioned it. “Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle were two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine. He cared so much for those who had no voices. This loss is devastating. I cannot express how much this hurts. Love you Rob and Michelle. Thank you for all you gave us.”

Fellow director Joe Russo said he “can’t handle the truth that one of the greatest filmmakers to ever live is gone” in a post on X, referencing the iconic line from “A Few Good Men.”

“We lost one of the few good men. RIP, Rob Reiner,” Russo added.

Actor and Screen Actors Guild president Sean Astin said in a news release that Reiner was “one of those most significant figures in the history of film and television,” whose cultural influence “simply can’t be overstated.”

“All in the Family” creator Norman Lear, who died in 2023 at age 101, “often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary,” Lear’s family said in a statement. The family said they were “devastated by the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner.”

“Norman would have wanted to remind us that Rob and Michele spent every breath trying to make this country a better place, and they pursued that through their art, their activism, their philanthropy, and their love for family and friends,” the family said.

Politicians from California and beyond have spoken out to express their condolences and celebrate Reiner’s accomplishments in cinema as well as political activism. Reiner was a vocal advocate for Democratic campaigns and, in California, led initiatives for LGBTQ rights and early childhood development.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris said Reiner and his wife “were dear friends,” and Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, “are devastated to learn of their passing.” Harris, who previously represented California in the U.S. Senate, said Reiner’s work “has impacted generations of Americans.” 

“The characters, dialogue, and visuals he brought to life in film and television are woven throughout our culture,” Harris wrote on X. “Rob loved our country, cared deeply about the future of our nation, and fought for America’s democracy.” 

Former House Speaker and current Rep. Nancy Pelosi, of California, described Reiner as “creative, funny, and beloved” and said in a statement that she and her family were mourning “the loss of our very dear friends.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement that he’s “heartbroken by the tragic loss of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner,” while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the Reiners’ deaths “a devastating loss for our city and our country.”

“Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice,” Bass said in a statement.

Former President Barack Obama also shared a statement on X, saying, “Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen. But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people—and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action. Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose.”

Former President Joe Biden said, “Jill and I send our deepest condolences to everyone whose lives were touched by Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s extraordinary contributions. We take solace in knowing their work will live on for generations to come.”