Filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner has died at the age of 78, along with his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, 68, after they were found dead at their home in Brentwood, Los Angeles. Authorities are investigating the incident as an apparent homicide, according to US media reports.
The bodies were discovered on Sunday (December 14) afternoon inside a residence owned by Reiner. A spokesperson for the Reiner family later confirmed the deaths, requesting privacy during what was described as an extremely difficult time.
US outlets including TMZ and People reported that both victims suffered injuries consistent with a knife attack, though officials have yet to disclose the official cause of death. Los Angeles Police Department detectives from the robbery-homicide division are leading the investigation. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed responding to a medical emergency call at the residence.
Reiner, who married photographer Michele Singer Reiner in 1989, was best known for directing films such as "When Harry Met Sally", "Misery", "Stand by Me", "The Princess Bride" and "This is Spinal Tap". The couple met while Reiner was working on "When Harry Met Sally".
Born in the Bronx, New York, in 1947, Reiner was the son of comic actor Carl Reiner and singer Estelle Rebost. He first rose to prominence as an actor in the television sitcom All in the Family, before making his directorial debut with "This is Spinal Tap" in 1984. He went on to direct a series of critically and commercially successful films through the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Over his career, Reiner received multiple Golden Globe nominations for best director and was nominated several times by the Directors Guild of America. He also co-founded Castle Rock Entertainment, the production company behind films and television series including "The Shawshank Redemption" and "Seinfeld".
Reiner remained active as an actor in supporting roles and was also known for his political activism, including advocacy for same-sex marriage and public health campaigns.
He is survived by his children Jake, Nick and Romy, as well as Tracy Reiner, whom he adopted from his first marriage to filmmaker Penny Marshall.
