Rob Reiner and Wife Michele Found Dead in Los Angeles Home in Apparent Homicide

Hollywood is reeling from the shocking deaths of acclaimed director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, who were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday in what authorities are investigating as an apparent homicide. The bodies of the 78-year-old filmmaker and 68-year-old photographer were discovered by authorities inside their Brentwood home. The Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery Homicide division has launched an investigation into the deaths. A spokesperson for the Reiner family confirmed their deaths Sunday evening, saying: "We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time." Reiner, the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, first gained fame as an actor playing "Meathead" on the groundbreaking sitcom "All in the Family," created by Norman Lear. He later became one of Hollywood's most respected directors, helming beloved classics including "Stand by Me," "This Is Spinal Tap," "When Harry Met Sally," "The Princess Bride," and "A Few Good Men." The entertainment industry has been devastated by the news, with tributes pouring in from colleagues, friends, and political figures. Former President Barack Obama praised Reiner's "deep belief in the goodness of people" and said the couple's lives were "defined by purpose." "Rob's achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen," Obama said in a statement. "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." California Governor Gavin Newsom called Reiner "the big-hearted genius behind so many of the classic stories we love, with projects as wide-ranging as 'The Princess Bride' to 'A Few Good Men.' His boundless empathy made his stories timeless, teaching generations how to see goodness and righteousness in others." Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the loss as "devastating for the city," noting that "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." Christopher Guest, who starred in "This Is Spinal Tap," and his wife Jamie Lee Curtis said they were "numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michelle Singer Reiner." Actress Kathy Bates, who worked with Reiner on "Misery" and "Primary Colors," called him "brilliant and kind, a man who made films of every genre to challenge himself as an artist. He also fought courageously for his political beliefs. He changed the course of my life." Actor Josh Gad described the couple as "two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine," while Paul Walter Hauser credited Reiner's film "A Few Good Men" as the reason he became an actor. Beyond his filmmaking achievements, Reiner was known as a passionate political activist and major Democratic supporter who had become a vocal critic of President Donald Trump in recent years. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other political leaders joined the chorus of those mourning his loss. The Norman Lear family, in a statement, noted the close relationship between Lear and Reiner: "Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world. 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." Close friends Larry David and Billy Crystal were seen at Reiner's home following news of the deaths, with Crystal appearing visibly emotional. Michele Singer Reiner was remembered as a gifted photographer who shared her husband's commitment to social causes and activism. The couple was known for their philanthropic work and dedication to early childhood development initiatives. The investigation into their deaths continues as Hollywood and the broader entertainment community grapple with the sudden loss of two beloved figures who left an indelible mark on American culture through their art and activism.