Hollywood is in mourning after the shocking deaths of acclaimed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer. The couple were found dead at their Brentwood estate over the weekend, with their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, now charged with their murders.
A united front of comedy legends
Close friend and collaborator Billy Crystal has led a poignant tribute to the late filmmaker, joined by a constellation of comedy stars. In a joint statement shared with the Associated Press, Crystal was joined by Larry David, Albert Brooks, Martin Short, and director Barry Levinson to honour Reiner's immense legacy.
The group praised him as a "master storyteller" whose range was unparalleled. "From comedy to drama to 'mockumentary' to documentary he was always at the top of his game," the statement read. It highlighted his unique collaborative spirit, noting, "His greatest gift was freedom. If you had an idea, he listened."
The tribute concluded with a fitting quote from Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, one of Reiner's favourite films: "Each man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?" The signatories added simply, "You have no idea."
A decades-long friendship forged on screen
The bond between Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner was both professional and deeply personal. Crystal was among the first called to the scene on Sunday by the couple's daughter, Romy, who discovered the bodies.
Their friendship began on the set of the US sitcom All in the Family, where they played best friends. Crystal once recalled they "became the closest of friends" in real life, spending extensive time together when Crystal moved to New York.
Their most iconic collaboration was the 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally, which Reiner directed and Crystal starred in alongside Meg Ryan. Crystal reminisced about an early screening where the now-legendary fake orgasm scene brought the house down. "We just grabbed each other's hands because we knew something exciting was about to happen with this movie," he said.
Legal proceedings begin amid tragedy
The couple's son, Nick Reiner, was arrested on Sunday, hours after the grim discovery. On Tuesday, 16 December 2025, he was formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated the charges could carry a maximum sentence of life in prison or the death penalty. Nick Reiner is expected to appear in court once he is medically cleared.
In a chilling detail, it was reported that Nick had attended Conan O'Brien's Christmas party with his parents on Saturday night, just hours before they were killed. Sources indicated to NBC News that some attendees found his behaviour at the event concerning.
The entertainment world is now left to grapple with the violent loss of a filmmaker who shaped modern comedy and drama, remembered by his peers not just for his professional genius, but for the profound personal connections he fostered.
