Obituaries

Director Rob Reiner and Wife Michele Found Dead in Apparent Homicide

Reiner was behind films including The Princess BrideA Few Good Men, and This Is Spinal Tap.

David Gordon

David Gordon

| Los Angeles |

December 15, 2025

Rob Reiner
Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner
(© David Gordon)

Director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Brentwood home on Sunday, December 14.

The Reiners were reportedly discovered with fatal stab wounds and the Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the situation as a double homicide. As per online records, their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested Sunday night and booked for murder early Monday morning. He is being held without bail.

Reiner, the son of legendary writer and performer Carl Reiner and actress Estelle Reiner, started out as an apprentice at the Bucks County Playhouse, and spent his college summers doing theater. He achieved early career fame as Michael “Meathead” Stivic on All in the Family, winning two Emmy Awards.

After a successful acting career, Reiner transitioned to directing, helming now-iconic films This Is Spinal TapWhen Harry Met Sally…MiseryA Few Good Men, Stand By Me, The American President, and, perhaps most notably, The Princess Bride. His final film, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, was released in 2025.

Misery has since been turned into a stage play that ran on Broadway with Bruce Willis and Laurie Metcalf. A long-gestating Princess Bride musical, which has cycled through various creative teams, is currently in development by songwriters Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez and book writers Bob Martin and Rick Elice.

Singer, a photographer, and Reiner met on the set of When Harry Met Sally… Their introduction sparked a reported change in the film; originally the titular couple didn’t get together, but their newfound relationship led to a revised ending. She worked as a photographer on Misery and as a producer on this year’s Spinal Tap sequel.

The Reiners were among the co-founders of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, and were the parents of three children.

Theater News & discounts

Get the best deals and latest updates on theater and shows by signing up for TheaterMania's newsletter today!