Photo via social media
Former Democratic U.S. President Barack Obama was among those paying tribute on Monday to the late actor, filmmaker, political activist and Bedford Park native, Rob Reiner, 78, who was reportedly murdered, along with his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, 70, on Sunday, Dec. 14, seemingly in their Los Angeles home. Multiple news outlets have since reported that Nick Reiner, 32, Rob Reiner’s son, has been arrested in connection to the incident. He is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.
The famed filmmaker was behind such movie classics as “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “Misery,” and “A Few Good Men.” Of Reiner who, as reported, was featured in the HBO documentary, “The Bronx, USA,” in October 2019, the former president said, “Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen.” Obama added, “But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people, and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.”
Obama concluded, “Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose. They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired. We send our deepest condolences to all who loved them.”
Various media outlets reported that the couple were found stabbed in their LA home on Sunday by their daughter, Romy, and that Rob and Nick had reportedly argued at a Christmas party held earlier that day and hosted by former talk show host, Conan O’Brien. [Norwood News reached out to the LAPD for the official police report and will share any additional details we receive.]
The New York Times reported in part on Monday that “After Nick Reiner entered his first drug treatment program around the age of 15, his turbulent life veered between rehab and homelessness, sobriety efforts and relapse.”
In the referenced HBO documentary, Norwood, and more broadly The Bronx, is celebrated as a cherished part of the upbringing of Reiner and other DeWitt Clinton High School alums.
Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA also weighed in on the tragedy, writing, “SAG-AFTRA today honors the legacy of filmmaker, actor and SAG-AFTRA member Rob Reiner, who died today at the age of 78. Rob Reiner was a member of our union for nearly 60 years. We send love and warmth to Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s families, friends and colleagues.”
Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson wrote, “In a world where fewer and fewer people concern themselves with the plight of others, the loss of Rob Reiner, who cared deeply about humanitarian causes, feels that much more devastating. RIP: 1947-1925. [Selfie: July 2022, NYC]”
Author Stephen King wrote of Reiner, “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.”
According to Reiner’s biography, written by Peter Sean on imdb.com, and included below, Reiner was born in New York City to Estelle Reiner (née Lebost) and Emmy-winning actor, comedian, writer, and producer Carl Reiner.
Rob Reiner had helped campaign for former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2008 when she ran for the U.S. presidency, and was an open critic of Republican U.S. President Donald Trump, who, on Monday, took aim at the Hollywood stalwart.
Trump released the following statement on social media earlier on Monday, and later doubled down on his remarks during a subsequent press conference when asked about it, saying Reiner was among those who advanced the “hoax” suggesting the president was a friend of Russia or controlled by the country.
Source: Social Media
On Tuesday, Dec. 16, the couple’s closest friends released a joint tribute statement to The Associated Press. AP reported that it is signed by Billy and Janice Crystal, Albert and Kimberly Brooks, Martin Short, Alan and Robin Zweibel, Larry David and Ashley Underwood, Marc Shaiman and Lou Mirabal, Barry and Diana Levinson, and Ambassador James Costos and Michael Smith.
“Going to the movies in a dark theater filled with strangers having a common experience, laughing, crying, screaming in fear, or watching an intense drama unfold is still an unforgettable thrill,” the statement read. “Tell us a story audiences demand of us. Absorbing all he had learned from his father Carl and his mentor Norman Lear, Rob Reiner not only was a great comic actor, he became a master story teller. There is no other director who has his range. From comedy to drama to ‘mockumentary’ to documentary he was always at the top of his game.”
It continued, “He charmed audiences. They trusted him. They lined up to see his films. “His comedic touch was beyond compare, his love of getting the music of the dialogue just right, and his sharpening of the edge of a drama was simply elegant. For the actors, he loved them. For the writers he made them better. His greatest gift was freedom. If you had an idea, he listened, he brought you into the process. They always felt they were working as a team. To be in his hands as a film maker was a privilege but that is only part of his legacy.”
The statement concluded, “Rob was also a passionate, brave citizen, who not only cared for this country he loved, he did everything he could to make it better and with his loving wife Michele, he had the perfect partner. Strong and determined, Michele and Rob Reiner devoted a great deal of their lives for the betterment of our fellow citizens… They were a special force together-dynamic, unselfish and inspiring. We were their friends, and we will miss them forever. “There is a line from one of Rob’s favorite 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?’ You have no idea.”
Nick Reiner is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story referred to Reiner as a Norwood rather than a Bedford Park native. We apologize for the error. We were unsuccessful in our attempts to reach Reiner’s agent for comment.
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.