In a shocking turn of events, Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Brentwood, Los Angeles home on Sunday. Police announced on Monday that their 32‑year‑old son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held without bail.
The Tragic Discovery
The Reiners’ home in Los Angeles’ Brentwood neighborhood became the scene of a tragic loss when authorities discovered the couple deceased. The news was first reported by Tracey Leong for NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Dec. 14, 2025.
Family and Career Overview
Rob Reiner, 78, is the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner. He married Michele Singer, 68, in 1989 after meeting her while directing the film When Harry Met Sally. The couple has three children: Nick, Jake, and Romy.
Michele Singer Reiner was celebrated as a talented photographer whose activism and social‑justice focus extended into her production work. She produced Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, God & Country, Albert Brooks: Defending My Life, and Shock and Awe. Earlier in her career, she photographed the cover image of Donald Trump’s 1987 bestseller The Art of the Deal. She also worked on several of her husband’s films, serving as a special photographer on the 1990 Stephen King adaptation Misery, and collaborated on advocacy campaigns.
Reflections from Friends and Colleagues
Actor Rita Wilson, a friend of the Reiners, offered a heartfelt tribute:
> “Michele was an enormously talented photographer whose eye applied not only to what she captured on film but also to her own personal (aesthetic),” said Wilson. “Her work as a producer focused on social justice and creating awareness of our world. She was wry, funny, opinionated but also reasonable and self reflective. She was so close to her sister and her family understanding the importance of close connection.”
The outpouring of tributes also came from political figures and industry peers, all noting the couple’s impact on both cinema and activism.
Rob Reiner’s Personal History
Rob Reiner’s own story includes a notable 2018 interview with The Guardian, where he credited Michele for influencing a key change in the ending of When Harry Met Sally:
> “Originally, Harry and Sally didn’t get together,” Reiner told The Guardian. “But then I met Michele and I thought: OK, I see how this works.”
He also recalled how they first met on the set of When Harry Met Sally in 1989. In a 1989 New York Times interview, Reiner described a serendipitous encounter:
> “I look over and I see this girl, and whoo! I was attracted immediately,” Reiner said. “I wormed my way into their lunch. But that’s what he said to me, ‘You’re going to marry her.’ And one thing led to another and here we are.”
Reiner’s earlier marriage to actor‑director Penny Marshall lasted from 1971 to 1981, and he adopted her daughter, Tracy Reiner. Carl Reiner died in 2020 at age 98, and Penny Marshall died in 2018.
Current Legal Proceedings
Following the discovery of the Reiners’ bodies, police detained Nick Reiner on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody without bail as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding his parents’ deaths.
Key Takeaways
- Rob Reiner (78) and Michele Singer Reiner (68) were found dead in their Brentwood home.
- Their son Nick, 32, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is held without bail.
- Michele was a celebrated photographer and producer, known for her social‑justice work.
- Rob’s career includes directing When Harry Met Sally and collaborating with Michele on several projects.
- The couple’s legacy continues to be honored by industry peers and political figures.
The untimely deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner have left a profound void in both Hollywood and the broader community, prompting widespread mourning and a swift legal response.
