Legendary Hollywood filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, have been found dead in their Los Angeles home, authorities have confirmed.
Police and firefighters were called to the couple’s residence in the upscale Brentwood neighbourhood on Sunday afternoon, where a 78-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the scene.
While police have not formally identified the victims, California Governor Gavin Newsom and a family spokesperson confirmed the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner.
The Los Angeles Police Department said it has opened a homicide investigation, although no arrests have been made and no suspect or person of interest is currently being sought.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner,” a family spokesperson said. “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss and ask for privacy during this incredibly difficult time.”
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department said emergency services received a call for medical aid at about 3:38 pm local time. Robbery-homicide detectives later responded and confirmed both bodies remained inside the home several hours after authorities arrived.
Police declined to provide details on possible injuries, the cause of death, or whether a weapon was found, noting that the LA County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause of death.
Tributes Pour In
Governor Newsom described Reiner as a “big-hearted genius” whose work shaped generations of film lovers.
Former US President Barack Obama said he and former First Lady Michelle Obama were heartbroken by the news, praising Reiner’s lifelong commitment to social justice and belief in the goodness of people.
Tributes also poured in from across the entertainment industry. Actor and director Ben Stiller called Reiner “one of my favourite directors,” while Eric Idle, John Cusack, Elijah Wood, James Woods, and Josh Gad described the loss as devastating.
A Storied Career
Rob Reiner, the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, began his career in the 1960s and rose to fame playing Meathead in the groundbreaking sitcom All in the Family, earning two Emmy Awards.
He went on to direct some of Hollywood’s most iconic films, including This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, and A Few Good Men, the latter earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. He also co-founded Castle Rock Entertainment.
Reiner remained active in film and television in recent years and reunited with the Spinal Tap cast for a sequel released in September.
Michele Reiner
Michele Reiner was an actress, photographer, and producer, and the owner of Reiner Light, a photography agency and production company. The couple married in 1989 and had three children together.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described their deaths as a “devastating loss” for the city, praising the couple’s advocacy for children’s welfare, civil rights, and LGBTQ+ causes.
