The cast of “New Girl” is mourning the loss of beloved actor and director Rob Reiner. The show’s star, HGTV star Jonathan Scott’s fiancée Zooey Deschanel, explained how “devastated” they feel after the tragic death of Reiner and his wife Michele on December 14.
‘New Girl’ Cast Is Mourning the Loss of Rob Reiner
In a December 2025 interview with People, Deschanel spoke fondly of Reiner, who played her onscreen dad on “New Girl.”
“He was just one of those people where you think, ‘I cannot believe I get to work with this person,'” she shared. “He was so kind. He was fatherly to all of us.”
Deschanel continued, “Everybody in the ‘New Girl’ community loved him. Actors from the show — everyone from the show is devastated.”
“When [the show] was first on, they were talking about the possibility of him playing my dad or directing an episode and he came over and said hello,” the actress recalled.
“He had his sweet daughter [Romy] with him and I was so excited,” Deschanel shared. “Not only was it such an honor to get to work with him but also ‘Spinal Tap’ was such a huge part of my life.”
While working with Reiner on set, Deschanel said he had “a million incredible stories.”
“One day, we spent the whole day eating ice cream, and he would just tell stories about all his movies, his family, his dad (Carl Reiner). He told stories about growing up in the Bronx,” Deschanel shared. “All these people who ended up becoming famous grew up on the same block. Penny Marshall, Carl Reiner … a community of people making comedy at a particular moment.”
Deschanel also noted that Reiner was a great presence on set. “He wanted everyone to do their best. He was playful and up for anything,” she explained. “His character had a barbershop quartet on the show and we sang some Christmas carols with them. He had a really good voice. He was just like, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.'”
She added, “He gave great advice. He had this thing about him where he really wanted everyone to succeed. He was very encouraging, always interested in what I was doing, and I remember, happy to hear about my kids.”
The “New Girl” star also recalled last seeing him at the “Spinal Tap II” premiere in September.
“He was so happy to see us and so excited to hear about everything that’s going on,” she said. “You were just enveloped by warmth when you were around him.”
‘New Girl’ Stars Pay Tribute to Rob Reiner
Deschanel shared a touching tribute to Reiner in a December 15 Instagram post.
“My heart is broken. Rob Reiner was the absolute warmest, funniest, most generous of spirits,” she wrote in the caption. “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.”
She added, “Rob and his lovely wife Michele were always so kind and it brought me so much joy any time I was lucky enough to see them. I’m absolutely devastated. Sending so much love to their family and friends.”
Her “New Girl” co-stars also took to Instagram to honor Reiner.
“The news about Rob and his wife Michele’s passing is truly heartbreaking,” Lamorne Morris, who played Winston, wrote. “What a blessing to have been around him.”
He added, “Truly a wonderful man. Give someone a hug today, life is too precious. Rest in Paradise ya meathead!❤️ #robreiner”
Hannah Simone, who played CeCe on “New Girl,” wrote, “We love you so much.”
