Celebrities Pay Tribute To Rob Reiner & His Wife Michele

Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, were found dead in their home on Dec. 14. The filmmaker and photographer were 78 and 68 years old, respectively. Their son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested and charged in connection with their murders.

“Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,” wrote the couple’s other children, Romy and Jake Reiner, in a statement on Dec. 17. They also said that the late couple weren’t only their parents but their “best friends,” too.

“We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life,” the siblings said. “We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave.”

Fans and former collaborators are paying tribute to the late couple, who first met on the set of Reiner and Nora Ephron’s When Harry Met Sally.

Barack Obama

Former President Barack Obama wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that he and Michelle Obama are “heartbroken by the tragic passing” of the Reiners.

“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,” Obama wrote. “Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose. They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired.”

Stephen King

Author Stephen King said he was “horrified and saddened” by the couple’s shocking deaths. “Wonderful friend, political ally, and brilliant filmmaker (including 2 of mine),” he wrote, nodding to the adaptations Stand by Me and Misery.

“Rest in peace, Rob. You always stood by me,” King concluded.

Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates — who starred in Reiner’s Misery — told The Hollywood Reporter that she’s “absolutely devastated” by the Reiners’ deaths. “I loved Rob. He was 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,” she said.

The Matlock star also remembered Michele as a “gifted photographer,” noting that they worked together on Misery. “My heart breaks for them both. My thoughts are with their family.”

Jamie Lee Curtis

In a statement shared with Deadline, Jamie Lee Curtis said she and her husband Christopher Guest are “numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michele.”

Guest and Reiner worked together several times, most notably on their cult-classic mockumentary film, This Is Spinal Tap. Curtis and Reiner’s paths crossed, too, playing Jess’ parents on New Girl and both appearing on The Bear.

Curtis said that their focus now is on grieving and supporting the Reiners’ family. “There will be plenty of time later to discuss the creative lives we shared and the great political and social impact they both had on the entertainment industry, early childhood development, the fight for gay marriage and their global care for a world in crisis.”

Zooey Deschanel

Zooey Deschanel is “absolutely devastated,” taking to Instagram to remember her New Girl on-screen dad. “Rob Reiner was the absolute warmest, funniest, most generous of spirits,” she wrote. “A truly good human being. An incredible artist and such a playful and fun collaborator. I cherish the time we spent working together and the many films he made that have shaped who I am.”

Deschanel also honored Reiner’s “lovely wife Michele,” noting that the couple was “always so kind and it brought me so much joy any time I was lucky enough to see them.”

Cary Elwes

Cary Elwes shared a set photo of his and Reiner’s chairs side by side, simply writing: “No words…”

Elwes has starred in several of Reiner’s films, including The Princess Bride and Being Charlie.

Robin Wright

The Princess Bride star Robin Wright reacted to the “truly heartbreaking” news in a statement to THR. “Rob was one of the most loving, compassionate, and kind people I have ever known,” she said. “He was an extraordinary director and the impact he had on me has stayed with me throughout my career.”

The Lear Family

In a statement to THR, relatives of the late Norman Lear paid tribute to Reiner, who famously played the character nicknamed Meathead on Lear’s sitcom, All in the Family.

“Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world,” they wrote. “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.”

Sally Struthers

Sally Struthers, who played Reiner’s on-screen wife, Gloria, in All in the Family, told THR: “There are no words. This is beyond devastating and my heart is with their family.” The actors reunited on the Emmys stage just last year.

Demi Moore

Demi Moore, who worked with Reiner on A Few Good Men, expressed her sorrow on Instagram. “Our kids grew up together, we worked together, and as our lives intertwined personally and professionally I will always cherish the moments and memories of what we shared,” she wrote — calling the Reiners “amazing people and wonderful parents who gave of themselves to make the world a better place.”

Kate Hudson

On Instagram, Kate Hudson remembered Reiner, who directed her in the 2003 romance, Alex & Emma, as “one of the greats,” and a filmmaker who “knew no genre, only great storytelling.”

She continued, “He was loving and kind. I feel so lucky to have worked with him, know him, laughed with him and shared moments with him and Michele. Ones I will never forget.”

Jerry Seinfeld

On Instagram, Jerry Seinfeld remembered Reiner as an early champion of Seinfeld. “He saw something no one else could,” Seinfeld wrote. “When nobody at the network liked the early episodes, he saved us from cancellation.”

The comedian also shared his admiration for the Reiners on a personal level. “Rob and Michele married right as our show was starting and they became an imprint for me of how it’s supposed to work, each one broadening the other,” he said. “Their death, together, is impossibly sad.”

Billy Crystal, Albert Brooks, & More

When Harry Met Sally’s Billy Crystal and his wife, Janice Crystal, issued a statement alongside other close friends of the Reiners — including Albert and Kimberly Brooks, Martin Short, and more. “Absorbing all he had learned from his father Carl and his mentor Norman Lear, Rob Reiner not only was a great comic actor, he became a master storyteller,” they wrote, per AP News. “There is no other director who has his range. From comedy to drama to ‘mockumentary’ to documentary he was always at the top of his game. He charmed audiences. They trusted him. They lined up to see his films.”

The statement celebrated the filmmaker’s collaborative spirit with actors and writers, and also noted the Reiners’ political efforts. “Strong and determined, Michele and Rob Reiner devoted a great deal of their lives for the betterment of our fellow citizens,” the group wrote, calling the late couple a “special force together — dynamic, unselfish and inspiring.”

The statement was also signed by Alan and Robin Zweibel, Larry David and Ashley Underwood, Marc Shaiman and Lou Mirabal, Barry and Diana Levinson, and Ambassador James Costos and Michael Smith.

Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan, who starred with Crystal in When Harry Met Sally, shared a sweet throwback photo of her and Reiner dancing. “Oh how we will miss this man...” she wrote.

Ryan thanked the couple directly, “for the way you believe in true love, in fairy tales, and in laughter. Thank you for your faith in the best in people, and for your profound love of our country.”

She concluded her statement with her hopes that some good or awareness might come out of the “impossible tragedy.”

“I don’t know, but my guess is that they would want that to be hopeful and humane, to be something that brings us all to a greater understanding of one another and to some peace,” she said.