As you’ve certainly heard by now, legendary actor-director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer, were murdered at their home in Brentwood on Sunday.
The couple’s 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested in connection with his parents’ deaths.
There’s still a great deal that we don’t know about this horrific situation, but as the investigation continues, Reiner’s many famous friends and collaborators are choosing to focus on his artistic and humanitarian legacy, rather than the grisly circumstances of his death.
Hollywood A-listers pay tribute to a fallen legend
Over the course of his decades in the industry, Reiner worked alongside many of Hollywood’s best and brightest in films as beloved and varied as Stand By Me and A Few Good Men.
Today, many of the stars with whom he collaborated took to social media to share memories of a man who was as beloved for his kindness as for his talent.
“I’m horrified hearing this terrible news. Absolutely devastated. I loved Rob,” wrote Kathy Bates, who starred in Reiner’s film Misery and acted alongside him in 1998’s Primary Colors (via People).
“He was brilliant and kind, a man who made films of every genre to challenge himself as an artist. He also fought courageously for his political beliefs. He changed the course of my life.”
“Love you, Rob. Sincerely,” wrote Jerry O’Connell, who starred as Vern Tessio in Reiner’s 1986 film Stand By Me.
“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! #RIPROBREINER,” tweeted Corey Feldman, who played Teddy Duchamp in the same film.
“Rob was a friend and collaborator through much of my life. He was funny, he was smart, he was a mensch. When he came to see the comedy act I was in, and, later, the musical comedy I had co-written, his laugh was uproarious and audible around the block,” wrote Harry Shearer who collaborated with Reiner on the comedy classic This Is Spinal Tap.
“He was a great collaborator, and when the four of us proposed ideas for the films, he was the one who wrote them on 3×5 cards, and organized them into a movie. And Michele was a very good friend to my wife Judith. This is unspeakable, the stuff of Greek tragedy,” Shearer continued.
In his later years, Reiner put in guest turns on some of TV’s most popular shows, including The Bear and New Girl, on which he played the father of star Zooey Deschanel.
“My heart is broken. Rob Reiner was the absolute warmest, funniest, most generous of spirits,” Deschanel wrote on Instagram Monday morning.
“A truly good human being. An incredible artist and such a playful and fun collaborator. I cherish the time we spent working together and the many films he made that have shaped who I am,” she continued, adding:
“Rob and his lovely wife Michele were always so kind and it brought me so much joy any time I was lucky enough to see them.”
“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,” wrote Jamie Lee Curtis, who played Deschanel’s mother on the show.
“There will be plenty of time later to discuss the creative lives we shared and the great political and social impact they both had on the entertainment industry, early childhood development, the fight for gay marriage and their global care for a world in crisis. We have lost great friends. Please give us time to grieve.”
Countless stars have praised Reiner’s life and work today, but one of the most moving tributes was also one of the shortest:
The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes wrote simply, “No words…” alongside a photo of his director’s chair standing alongside Reiner’s on the set of the classic film.
Our thoughts go out to Rob Reiner and Michele Singer’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.