When Harry Met Sally director Rob Reiner and wife Michelle found dead at home

Rob Reiner, the filmmaker behind beloved classics including When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride and This is Spinal Tap has been found dead.

According to TMZ, Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were discovered in their home in Los Angeles, and had suffered, “lacerations consistent with a knife”.

The Associated Press reported “a family member is being questioned by investigators”, while People magazine has named son Nick Reiner, as the alleged killer.

The fire department had been called to the home around 3.30pm California time, and LAPD’s robbery and homicide division are now investigating.

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

The LAPD said in a statement: “Robbery Homicide Division responded to the residence, which has been identified as the home of Rob Reiner.

“At this time, no further details are available as this is an ongoing RHD investigation, into an apparent homicide.”

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.

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”.

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.