Actor and director Rob Reiner tragically passed away on Sunday, Oct. 14 at the age of 78, and all of Hollywood rushed to pay tribute to the legendary actor.
Tracy Reiner
“I came from the greatest family ever,” she told NBC News. “I don’t know what to say. I’m in shock.”
Kevin Bacon
“I’m not sure how to do this,” the actor said to start his video. “But Rob Reiner gave me a job in ‘A Few Good Men’ sometime in the ’90s, I guess it was.”
“And I was over the moon to get that job because, people may or may not know, but ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ is my all-time favorite movie and when he called me, I was just so thrilled,” he continued. “But the making of that movie was one of the best experiences that I’ve ever had on a set. He was so fun. And it really comes down from the top, you know. You can set a tone where people feel like we are working hard, but also working hard in a safe and pleasant and fun situation.”
Stephen King
“I’m horrified and saddened by the death of Rob Reiner and Michele. Wonderful friend, political ally, and brilliant filmmaker (including 2 of mine). Rest in peace, Rob. You always stood by me.”
Michael Douglas
“A most tragic situation for two extraordinary people who gave so much to make a better world. Rob and Michele Reiner will be deeply missed.”
Kathy Bates
“Absolutely devastated,” she told NBC News in a statement. “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. Michelle was a gifted photographer. She shot my beautiful photos for the Misery campaign. My heart breaks for them both. My thoughts are with their family.”
Ben Stiller
“What a huge loss. Rob Reiner was one of my favorite directors. He made some of the most formative movies for my generation. He came out form behind a huge comedic shadow of the great Carl Reiner and being a tv actor to being a a great director who made an incredible run of movies. Spinal Tap is one of the best comedies ever made – and the list goes on. He was a kind caring person who was really really funny. I didn’t know him well but was always a fan and I feel a real sadness for those who did, and his family.”
Rita Wilson
“Rob and Michele Reiner are two people who really did make the world a better place. This is truth. We have been friends since our kids were toddlers attending the same preschool. It’s impossible to reconcile the tragedy of their deaths with the beauty they offered the world. Michele was an enormously talented photographer whose eye applied not only to what she captured on film but also to her own personal esthetic. 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. Their mother was a Holocaust survivor. When her mom was alive she and Rob gave her a life that brought her joy and grandkids. They often screened movies with themes. Once we watched The Godfather, took a break for a sumptuous Italian dinner then watched The Godfather Part 2. There were many nights like this. Rob was pure joy. I was lucky enough to call him a friend and also a peer who I worked with on North and The Story of Us. Rob was a generous director who loved actors , because he was one himself. He gave actors freedom and trusted our choices. When we saw each other it was as if time was a continuous thread in a metaphorical needlepoint work that picked up where we left off. His work as an actor, writer and director will live on, as will all the works he and Michele endeavored so hard to establish for our civil good. Our hearts go out to their families with the deepest of sorrow and love. Rob and Michelle, may their memories be eternal.”
Mandy Patinkin
“How do we process this unthinkable tragedy? Loss after loss after loss! What is happening to our world? What is happening to our human race?” he said in a statement to PEOPLE. “”I can’t breathe, but i’m breathing. I’m howling at the gods every moment. Then I talk to a friend or myself and quiet down and I realize the gods are not to blame, the tsunami of tragedy is the responsibility of human beings.”
“When we were filming the scene in The Princess Bride, where Inigo kills the six fingered man and says: ‘I want my father back your son of a bitch,’ take after take after take Rob kept asking me to do less do less do less,” Patinkin added in his statement. “In my sleepless night, I realized he wanted less anger from me to allow my broken heart to be felt.”
“Now I’m hearing his voice tell us all to do more do more do more to repair the human soul to repair our hearts to repair our country to repair our world,” he continued. “To never give up, to keep fighting, to keep living for every soul taken from this earth, that no longer has the life and breath to raise their voices for a better world, we must raise our voices for them.”
Paul McCartney
“What a tragedy the death of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, is. It is so shocking in many ways but for me especially so, because over the last year I had been working with him. He directed me in ‘Spinal Tap II: The End Continues’. He was such an upbeat, lovable man.
Life can be so unfair and this tragedy proves it. His father, Carl Reiner, was a great humourist before him and Rob followed in his dad’s footsteps doing a terrific job making many great films. I will always have fond memories of Rob and the idea that he and his wife will no longer be in the world with us is heartbreaking.
Thanks for all the humour, Rob. Rest in Peace. Love Paul”
Demi Moore
“There are no words to truly express the unfathomable devastation of losing Rob and Michelle Reiner. 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.
They were amazing people and wonderful parents who gave of themselves to make the world a better place.
My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with their family, friends, and all that are affected by this tragedy.”
Michelle Pfeiffer
“Beyond horrific. My thoughts and prayers to Michelle and Rob’s family and all those who loved them. I am so sorry. 💔”
Jane Fonda
“Rob and Michele Reiner were wonderful, caring, smart, funny, generous people, always coming up with ideas for how to make the world better, kinder. They had been helping me launch the Committee for the First Amendment. I saw them night before last looking healthy and happy. I am reeling with grief. Stunned.”
Eric Idle
“Rob Reiner was a lovely man. I spoke to him last night for over an hour. I always enjoyed his company. I met him at his Dad’s in 1975. He was telling me about fiming at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future. This is so awful. I shall miss him. A clever, talented and very thoughtful man. So awful.”
Josh Gad
“He was one of the greatest directors of our time. He was a friend. He was simply a beautiful person.”
Mia Sorvino
“I am in absolute shock. Rob Reiner was a legend and a kind, brilliant man, a wonderful actor to work opposite on Hollywood, an iconic director. His wife Michele was a lovely generous person- I wish I had been able to get to know her better. The world has lost two tremendous humans. He was so funny and intelligent – we had a great time shooting what could have been awkward scenes but his wit and warmth made all that go away. Talking with him on and off the set was a joy. This doesn’t seem possible. My deepest sorrow and condolences and prayers go out to their family.”
Harry Shearer
“Rob was a friend and collaborator through much of my life. He was funny, he was smart, he was a mensch. When he came to see the comedy act I was in, and, later, the musical comedy I had co-written, his laugh was uproarious and audible around the block. He was a great collaborator, and when the four of us proposed ideas for the films, he was the one who wrote them on 3×5 cards, and organized them into a movie. And Michele was a very good friend to my wife Judith. This is unspeakable, the stuff of Greek tragedy.”
Ron Howard
“#RIPRobReiner Our careers and lives intersected often over the decades from Rob writing the pilot script for Happy Days and then as we each shifted from acting careers into directing and producing. He proved to be a superlative filmmaker, a supportive colleague and at all times a dedicated citizen. Rob will be missed on so many levels. My heart goes out to his family and his many close friends.”
Marlee Matlin
“My heart is absolutely gutted by the passing of the brilliant director Rob Reiner and his lovely wife Michele. May they rest in peace.”
Virginia Madsen
“Damn this awful news out of Brentwood. God be with those who love them. Thank you Rob for giving us so much joy to hold on to. Life and talent always turned up to 11.”
Christopher Guest & Jamie Lee Curtis (via Variety)
“Christopher and I are numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michelle Singer Reiner and our ONLY focus and care right now is for their children and immediate families and we will offer all support possible to help them. 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. We have lost great friends. Please give us time to grieve.”
Cary Elwes
“No words…”
Estate of Norman Lear (via Variety)
“The Lear Family is devastated by the deaths of Rob and Michele 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. Lyn Lear had remained very close with them and said, ‘The world is unmistakably darker tonight, and we are left bereft.’”
Tim Heidecker
“A genius. Thank you Rob Reiner.”
Paul Feig
One of my most cherished pictures. Rob was my true hero. A true visionary titan and a lovely lovely person. One never knows if it’s proper to post during something as tragic as this. But I just want the world to know what so many of us know in the industry. Rob was the best
Paul Walter Hauser
“Grieving the loss of my favorite director of all-time.
A Few Good Men is THE reason I became an actor, and Rob’s filmography behind the camera is THE reason I wanted to direct and still do.
I met Rob Reiner on a Sunday at UCB theatre in Los Angeles on Franklin in 2010. I got very nervous realizing he and his wife and daughter were sitting behind me. I raised my hand to volunteer for a sketch with the show ASSCAT and somehow ended up Lio synching the song “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve using my belly instead of my mouth. It was beyond absurd but I couldn’t help thinking “Commit to this. Rob Reiner is watching”.
At the intermission, we spoke for maybe 5-10 minutes about how I had just moved to LA from Michigan. He spoke of how he enjoyed filming in Michigan, and he was kind enough to regale me with stories of he and his wife co-writing the marital drama “The Story of Us” with Alan Zweibel and HIS wife, and how it was such an interesting exercise. He told me how he wanted to use anamorphic lenses to make the courtroom feel more epic in scope on “A Few Good Men”.
The guy just treated me with the friendliness and intimate details that few people of his stature would bother recounting to a total stranger. And he said “That thing you did, with your belly. That was funny”.
I hate that Rob and his wife are gone from this world, but they sure as hell impacted me and countless others while here.
THIS IS SPINAL TAP-THE PRINCESS BRIDE-STAND BY ME-WHEN HARRY MET SALLY-MISERY-A FEW GOOD MEN.
He made those films in the course of a decade. There was and will never be anyone better, in my opinion.
Sick to my stomach. Headed back to set. Holding him close as I do the gig that he inspired me to do.”
Meredith Salenger
“There are no words. He was such a light. Beyond his talent in film, he advocated for the best of society. He was a true leader. This is an unimaginable loss. 💔 #RobReiner rest in peace”
O’Shea Jackson Jr
“Rest in peace Rob and Michele Reiner. Unreal”
Barack Obama (via Variety)
“Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. 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. 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. We send our deepest condolences to all who loved them.”
Nancy Pelosi
“The news of a deadly assault on Rob and Michelle Reiner in their home is devastating. It’s hard to think of anyone more remarkable and excellent in every field and endeavor they pursued. Rob was creative, funny, and beloved. And in all of their endeavors, Michelle was his indispensable partner, intellectual resource, and loving wife. Personally, Rob cared deeply about people and demonstrated that in his civic activities — whether by supporting the First 5 initiative or fighting against Prop 8 in California. Civically, he was a champion for the First Amendment and the creative rights of artists. And professionally, he was an iconic figure in film who made us laugh, cry and think with the movies he created. Paul and I and our entire family mourn the loss of our very dear friends and are praying for their loved ones during an unimaginable time of grief”
Elijah Wood
“Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michelle. So much love to their kids and family.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
“This is a devastating loss for our city and our country. 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. An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in service of others. Personally, I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of Rob and his wife Michele. I knew Rob and have tremendous respect for him. Among his numerous contributions, Rob helped create First 5 California, a landmark initiative funded by a tobacco tax to support early childhood development programs. He and Michele fought for early childhood development and marriage equality, working to overturn Proposition 8. They were true champions for LGBTQ+ rights. I want to thank all of the first responders who were called to this tragic event. The investigation is ongoing. I’m holding all who loved Rob and Michele in my heart.”
Sean Astin (via Variety)
“Rob Reiner is one of the most significant figures in the history of film and television. The impact he made on American culture simply can’t be overstated. Tributes will pour in and the impossibly long list of genre defining films and indelible performances will play in our minds and hearts. Rob Reiner was a member of our union for nearly 60 years,” Astin said in a statement. “We send love and warmth to Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s families, friends and colleagues. Our entertainment community and audiences around the world will mourn deeply. On a personal note, so many of Mr. Reiner’s films and performances made me think, made me emotional and especially they made me laugh really hard. That’s how I will remember him.”
Bear Mccreary
“I am horrified and saddened at the tragic loss of one cinema’s greatest directors. I can’t even begin to list the films this guy made that impacted me throughout my life. We all know them. A legend. A true genius. Rest in peace, Rob Reiner”
Rob Reiner and his wife’s murder is a senseless tragedy. This loss is compounded by the arrest of their son as perpetrator. It cruel that such gifted artists meet their end in such a way. Thank you for the laughter and the beauty.