When Harry Met Sally director Rob Reiner and wife Michelle found dead at home, son Nick arrested for murder

Rob Reiner’s son, Nick, has been arrested for murder of the Hollywood filmmaker and his wife Michele, a photographer.

Reiner, the filmmaker behind beloved classics including When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride, and his wife were found dead with stab wounds on Sunday afternoon, California time, at their home in Los Angeles.

Nick, 32, one of the Reiners’ three children, was arrested that evening at 9.15pm. He was booked into custody at 5am on Monday morning. Bail was set at $US4 million.

The Los Angeles Police Department said, “As a result of the initial investigation, it was determined that the Reiners were the victims of homicide.

“The investigation further revealed that Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of Robert and Michele Reiner, was responsible for their deaths.”

Nick Reiner has battled addiction since his teenage years, and had co-written a 2015 semi-autobiographical film, Being Charlie, which his father directed, which parsed some of these challenges and their at-times fractious relationship.

Local TV station ABC Los Angeles reported Billy Crystal and Larry David were seen on the scene in the aftermath, and police had cordoned off surrounding blocks.

Born in New York City in 1947 to actors Carl Reiner and Estelle Reiner, and Reiner originally broke out on 1970s American sitcom All in the Family.

A familiar face who continued to act in TV series including New Girl, The Bear and 30 Rock and in films including The Wolf of Wall Street, he was best known as a director.

His other credits included Misery, A Few Good Men, The Bucket List and The American President.

His most recent project was the Spinal Tap sequel, which he co-wrote, starred in and directed, which was released earlier this year.

He was also one of the co-founders of Castle Rock Entertainment, which produced titles the films he made as well as others such as Before Sunrise and Michael Clayton.

As an actor, he appeared on screen in TV series including New Girl and 30 Rock and in films including The Wolf of Wall Street.

In a 2024 interview with CNN, Reiner revealed When Harry Met Sally was going to have a different ending, where the two characters would reunite after years apart but ultimately walk away from each other.

But his own real-life romance with Michele changed the plans. “I met my wife Michele, who I’ve been married to now 35 years. I met her while we were making the film, and I changed the ending.”

Reiner and Michele married in 1989 and had three children, Jake, Nick and Romy, and Reiner had an adopted daughter, Tracy, from his first marriage to filmmaker Penny Marshall.

As news of Reiner’s death spread, entertainment figures have paid tribute to his contributions and legacy.

Christopher Guest, who collaborated with Reiner on This is Spinal Tap, issued a statement on behalf of himself and wife Jamie Lee Curtis. They said, “Christopher and I are numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michele Singer Reiner, and our only focus and care right now is for their children and immediate families and we will offer all support possible to help them.”

Los Angeles mayor Karen Black wrote that Reiner’s death was a “devastating loss for our city and our country. Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice.

Black detailed Reiner had helped create an initiative which used funds raised by a tobacco tax to pay for early childhood development programs, and that he and his wife were active in championing LGBTQ+ rights.

California governor Gavin Newsom also referenced Reiner’s activism, and added, “His boundless empathy made his stories timeless, teaching generations how to see goodness and righteousness in others — and encouraging us to dream bigger”.

Barack Obama posted, “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.

“But beneath all of the stories he produced as a deep belief in the goodness of people — and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.”

Director Paul Feig posted on social media, “Rob is one of my heroes. I had the honour of calling him a friend.” American critic Richard Roeper said, “Rob Reiner co-starred in one of the most influential sitcoms of all time, had an incredible run as a director — and was one of the kindest and most considerate human beings I’ve ever met in this business. RIP.”

Actor Josh Gad posted, “He was one of the greatest directors of our time. He was a friend. He was simply a beautiful person. Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine. He cared so much for those who had no voices.”

Joe Russo, director of Avengers: Endgame, wrote, referencing Reiner films, “I can’t handle the truth that one of the greatest filmmakers to ever live is gone. We lost one of the few good men”.

C. Robert Cargill, the screenwriter of The Black Phone and a former film critic, posted, “The cultural impact of Rob Reiner cannot be understated. Legend isn’t a big enough word.”

Cargill then added quoted a series of lines from Reiner’s films including “It goes to 11” from This is Spinal Tap, “As you wish” from The Princess Bride, “You can’t handle the truth” from A Few Good Men, “I’ll have what she’s having” from When Harry Met Sally and “I’m your number one fan” from Misery.