Rob Reiner Tributes: Acclaimed Filmmaker of ‘Spinal Tap,’ ‘Stand By Me,’ ‘A Few Good Men,’ 78
by Greg Brodsky
Rob Reiner and Christopher Guest in 1984’s This is Spinal Tap
Rob Reiner, who pivoted from his role as an Emmy Award-winning actor on the landmark television sitcom, All in the Family, to a celebrated career behind the camera as the director of such acclaimed films as This is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, A Few Good Man, When Harry Met Sally… and The Princess Bride, died today (Dec. 14, 2025). Reiner, 78, the son of actor-director-screenwriter, Carl Reiner, was found dead inside his Brentwood, Calif., home, along with his wife, Michele Singer. TMZ reported that the couple had “lacerations consistent with a knife.” Sources told People that they were killed by their son, Nick.
Reiner’s skill as a film director was evident in unforgettable scenes with Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan (“I’ll have what she’s having”), Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson (“You can’t handle the truth!”) and with Reiner himself and Christopher Guest (“This one goes to eleven.”).
Reiner recently directed the 2023 Emmy–nominated documentary Albert Brooks: Defending My Life and the 2025 sequel to This Is Spinal Tap: The End Continues. As a dedicated political activist, he spearheaded a tobacco tax initiative in California to fund early childhood development and chaired the state commission to oversee its implementation. In 2008, he cofounded the American Foundation For Equal Rights, which paved the way for marriage equality nationwide.
Reiner was born on March 6, 1947, in The Bronx, N.Y. After earning guest roles in a variety of TV series, he landed the part of Mike Stivic, the liberal son-in-law of Archie Bunker in Norman Lear’s groundbreaking sitcom, All in the Family. His conservative father-in-law, portrayed by Carroll O’Connor, nicknamed him “Meathead,” and a typical episode had the youthful Stivic going head-to-head with Archie on numerous issues such as abortion, homosexuality and the Vietnam War, that had previously been considered taboo on television. The series topped the Nielsen ratings for five consecutive seasons and earned 22 Primetime Emmy Awards in its nine seasons. Reiner earned a pair of Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actor.
Reiner made his feature film debut as a director with 1984’s mockumentary, This is Spinal Tap, about a fictional band. In his review, Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune wrote, “It is so well done, in fact, that unless you are clued in beforehand, it might take you a while to realize that the rock group under dissection… does not really exist.”
Jamie Lee Curtis issued a statement on behalf of herself and her husband, Christopher Guest, who starred in This is Spinal Tap, noting, in part, they were “numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michele Singer Reiner.”
From 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”
Photo via Paul McCartney’s Facebook page.
Reiner went on with a run of films that rivals any other director of his era: The Sure Thing (1985), Stand By Me (1986), The Princess Bride (1987), When Harry Met Sally… (1989), Misery (1990), A Few Good Men (1992), The American President (1995) and Ghosts of Mississippi (1996).
Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner – a great man .
— John Cusack (@johncusack) December 15, 2025
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.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) December 15, 2025
Corey Feldman, who portrayed Teddy Duchamp in Stand By Me wrote, “OMG THIS IS HORRIBLE NEWS! IM SO SORRY 4 ROB & HIS WIFE, & THEIR CHILDREN & THE WHOLE REINER FAMILY! ALL I CAN SAY IS IM SHOCKED & SADDENED, BUT I #LOVE U ROB! U WILL B 4EVER MISSED!”
Jerry O’Connell, who played Vern Tessio in the same film, said that he felt like “a parent has passed,” adding, “everything I have in my life is because of Rob Reiner. Everything I have, my children, my wife, my, just everything.”
Love you, Rob. Sincerely. pic.twitter.com/sGRt5euoXd
— Jerry O’Connell (@MrJerryOC) December 15, 2025
Kiefer Sutherland, who acted in both Stand By Me and A Few Good Men, wrote, “Like so many, my heart was broken today when I heard the news about Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife, Michele. Rob was one of the kindest gentleman I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, when I was very young he gave me an opportunity that changed my life, and I will forever be grateful.”
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…
— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) December 15, 2025
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…
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) December 15, 2025
Many of Reiner’s films are available in the U.S./worldwide here, in Canada here and in the U.K. here.
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