In a profoundly emotional moment, comedy icon Mel Brooks has made a heartbreaking admission about his late best friend Carl Reiner, expressing relief that Reiner did not live to see the devastating tragedy that would later shatter his family. The 99-year-old legend spoke candidly at the Los Angeles premiere of HBO's documentary Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! on Tuesday, addressing the horrific murder of Reiner's son, Rob, and his wife Michele.
A Friendship Forged in Laughter
Following a screening at the prestigious Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Brooks participated in a Q&A session moderated by filmmaker Judd Apatow. When Apatow praised the iconic 2000 Year Old Man sketches that Brooks and Reiner created together, inspiring countless comedians across generations, Brooks responded with raw emotion.
'Carl, with what's happened, I'm glad that he passed away when he did,' Brooks stated solemnly. He added that his dear friend 'never could have survived this terrible, terrible thing.' The tragedy refers to the shocking deaths of Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, 70, on December 14, 2025. Their son Nick has been named as the suspect in this harrowing case.
Decades of Unbreakable Bond
Brooks went on to reflect on his decades-long friendship with Carl Reiner, who passed away in 2020 at age 98. 'I loved him. I loved Carl,' Brooks said, recalling how effortlessly they made each other laugh. 'And I used to really... There was no fake laughter. I used to really break him up. He'd grab his belly and sometimes he'd fall down.'
The documentary The 99 Year Old Man! revisits this extraordinary friendship and Carl's final days, featuring an interview with Rob Reiner recorded before his tragic death. In the film, Rob noted that 'Mel was there when my dad died,' explaining that Brooks spent nearly every evening at Carl's home after both men lost their wives in the 2000s.
Rob recalled the moment his father collapsed in the bathroom, with Brooks immediately sensing something was wrong. Brooks himself relived that devastating moment in the documentary, admitting he clung to hope. 'I was still hoping that they would put the stuff on him and boom, get him up. I kept yelling at them, "Keep it up, keep it up," and they thought I was crazy after an hour of yelling.'
'I just didn't want him to go. I just couldn't - I wouldn't accept it,' Brooks added emotionally. 'I loved him so much.'
The Shocking Family Tragedy
The Hollywood power couple, Rob and Michele Reiner, were found dead in their home on December 14, 2025. Rob Reiner was the legendary filmmaker behind classics including This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, and When Harry Met Sally. Michele was a respected photographer, producer, and outspoken LGBT rights activist. The couple, married since 1989, shared three children: Jake, 34, Nick, 32, and Romy, 28, with Romy discovering their bodies on that fateful day.
Their son Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested on December 14 and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Prosecutors have filed special circumstances including multiple murders and the use of a deadly weapon—a knife—meaning Nick could face life imprisonment without parole or even the death penalty if convicted.
Disturbing Developments in the Case
Brooks' poignant remarks come amid disturbing new claims about Nick Reiner's mental state following the killings. Sources indicate that the 32-year-old has appeared disoriented and 'almost childlike' while in custody since his parents' deaths.
Speaking on Fox & Friends on Monday, TMZ executive producer Harvey Levin claimed the suspect is currently 'not competent to stand trial right now.' 'He is almost childlike in jail, we're told,' Levin said. 'He can't process the consequences of what he's done. He knows what he did. He just can't understand where he is right now, and I know that sounds crazy, but he is out of his head right now.'
Levin also described the killings as 'incredibly brutal,' adding: 'We know people in the medical examiner's office who are traumatised just by the pictures.' Nick, who has previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia, is expected to plead not guilty to the murders by reason of insanity.
This tragic case has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and beyond, combining the loss of beloved cultural figures with a family tragedy of unimaginable proportions. As the legal proceedings continue, Brooks' heartfelt words serve as a poignant reminder of the deep bonds of friendship and the cruel twists of fate that can affect even the most celebrated lives.
