In a poignant and sombre gathering, comedy legends Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus reunited for an intimate holiday event this week. The meeting marked David's first public appearance since the devastating deaths of their close friends, director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, who were fatally stabbed in their Los Angeles home earlier this month.
A Sombre Gathering Amidst Grief
Jerry Seinfeld, 71, posted a series of photographs to Instagram on Saturday, capturing the iconic trio standing together and sharing a laugh. He captioned the images, "The creatures were stirring… Christmas Eve 2025." The reunion offered a rare glimpse of the Seinfeld co-stars united in the wake of profound loss, following the brutal murder of the Reiners between Saturday night and 3.30pm on Sunday, December 14th.
According to initial reports, Larry David and Billy Crystal were among the first friends to visit the Reiners' home after the couple's bodies were discovered by their daughter, Romy. The couple were found with their throats cut, potentially while asleep in their bed.
Tributes to a Hollywood Giant
In a heartfelt tribute posted alongside the reunion photos, Seinfeld credited Rob Reiner with having "the biggest influence" on his career, second only to Larry David and manager George Shapiro. "Our show would have never happened without him," Seinfeld stated, referring to the iconic sitcom. "He saw something no one else could. When nobody at the network liked the early episodes, he saved us from cancellation." He concluded by calling the deaths "impossibly sad."
Earlier in the month, a joint statement from David, Crystal, Martin Short, Albert Brooks, and other close friends was released to The Associated Press. It hailed Reiner as a "master storyteller" with unparalleled directorial range, from comedies like This Is Spinal Tap to dramas like A Few Good Men. The statement also praised the couple's passionate political advocacy as longtime Democratic backers.
A Son Charged and a Legacy Remembered
The couple's 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He was arrested after allegedly "acting crazy" at a holiday party with his parents on the Saturday before the murders. Nick, who has a history of drug addiction, remains in jail without bail on suicide watch. The Los Angeles County District Attorney has not yet decided if prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
Rob Reiner's legacy in entertainment is vast. He first found fame as Michael 'Meathead' Stivic on All In The Family, winning two Emmys. He later became a celebrated director of classics such as Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, and When Harry Met Sally. His recent work included the sequel Spinal Tap II, released in September 2025. His collaboration with Larry David extended to producing Seinfeld and appearing as himself on Curb Your Enthusiasm.
The friends' statement fittingly concluded with a line from one of Reiner's favourite films, It's a Wonderful Life: "Each man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"
