LOS ANGELES — Filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were found dead Sunday at their Brentwood home, and their son, Nick Reiner, 32, was taken into custody on suspicion of murder, Los Angeles police said.
- Rob and Michele Singer Reiner found dead in Brentwood home Sunday
- Son Nick Reiner arrested on suspicion of double murder
- No confirmed motive; investigation ongoing
- Reiner was acclaimed director, actor, and political activist
Los Angeles Police Department Chief of Detectives said officers responded to the 200 block of Chadbourne Avenue about 3:40 p.m. Sunday after the couple was found dead by family members. Detectives from the Robbery‑Homicide Division executed a search warrant at the residence and took Nick Reiner into custody that evening. He was booked into Los Angeles County Jail early Monday morning and is being held without bail.
A spokesperson for the Reiner family said in a statement, “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”
Law enforcement sources said there were no signs of forced entry and that both victims sustained injuries consistent with stabbing. Police have not released details about a motive or whether charges have been filed.
Rob Reiner rose to prominence as an actor and later became a director known for films spanning comedy, drama, and romance. He played Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the 1970s sitcom All in the Family, and his directing credits included When Harry Met Sally…, The Princess Bride, This Is Spinal Tap, and A Few Good Men. Several of his films are preserved in the National Film Registry.
Michele Singer Reiner was a photographer and film producer who collaborated with her husband on multiple projects, including producing credits on films such as Shock and Awe and Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.
Reiner was also active in political and civic causes, particularly in California. He co‑founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which played a role in overturning Proposition 8, the 2008 California ballot measure banning same‑sex marriage, and served as chairman of the First 5 California Children and Families Commission, which advocates for early childhood services.
Rob Reiner campaigned on issues including public health, child welfare, and education, and was an outspoken supporter of Democratic candidates and causes. His public political commentary included critiques of former President Donald Trump; a statement posted on social media by Trump referenced “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” alleging without evidence a connection to the director’s death.
Nick Reiner’s struggles with addiction and recovery were public in part because of the 2015 semi‑autobiographical film Being Charlie, which Reiner directed and his son co‑wrote. The film explored the challenges of a father and son dealing with substance abuse and rehabilitation.
Family friends told The Los Angeles Times that Rob Reiner and his son argued Saturday evening at a holiday party hosted by Conan O’Brien. Several guests reported observing the younger Reiner behaving unusually. Police have not confirmed whether that incident is related to the deaths.
The couple is survived by their three children: Jake, Nick, and Romy. Neighbors in the Brentwood community expressed shock and sadness over the deaths.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris wrote on social media that she was “devastated to learn of their passing,” saying Reiner “loved our country” and “cared deeply about the future of our nation.” Former President Barack Obama said Reiner’s work “gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen” and praised his civic contributions.
