Being Charlie’s Nick Robinson Details Rob Reiner’s Empathy

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Nick Robinson is remembering Rob Reiner. 

The 30-year-old recalled working with the director on the 2016 film Being Charlie, which was co-written by Nick Reiner. This came after Nick and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found deceased at their home in Los Angeles on December 14th.

Actor from Love, Simon posted on Instagram on December 15th, according to Us Weekly, with a message saying, “RIP Rob Reiner.” He remembered Reiner as someone who was very kind and gracious when he was starting out, and praised him as a talented artist who was full of empathy and warmth.

On December 15th, the Los Angeles Police Department announced the arrest of Rob and Michele’s 32-year-old son, just hours after his parents were found dead. He was booked on suspicion of murder and is currently being held without bail. (TopMob News had previously contacted both the police and a representative for the Reiner family, but did not receive a response.)

Ten years before facing a family tragedy, Rob worked with his son on the film Being Charlie. The movie was based on Nick Reiner’s own experiences with drug addiction and told the story of a troubled teenager who resisted his father’s—a politician—attempts to help him get clean.

The father and son shared how making the film affected their already complex relationship.

Rob, who shared children Jake, 34, and Romy, 27, with Michele, and Tracy, 41, with Penny Marshall, explained at a 2016 Build Series event that going through a challenging time actually strengthened their relationships. He described the year-long experience as intense and difficult, but ultimately the most rewarding and creatively fulfilling of his life.

And Nick had only good things to say about working with the When Harry Met Sally director. 

He said it wasn’t difficult and that he actually enjoyed the experience. He didn’t find it challenging at all.

However, Rob had admitted they butted heads at times while working as a team. 

We definitely had disagreements during the filmmaking process, but those challenges actually pushed us to improve the movie. We’d often run into problems, and I’d be right there to see them unfold.

Despite occasional disagreements, Rob believed collaborating on the film actually strengthened their relationship. He explained, “For me personally, it really helped me understand him better, and I think it made me a better dad. I hope it did, though I can’t say for sure.”

The movie’s final scene shows Charlie and his father (played by Cary Elwes, who previously worked with the director on The Princess Bride) trying to resolve their difficult relationship. This resonated deeply with the director, as it mirrored his own personal experiences.

Honestly, when my idol was talking about his kid going through a hard time, it just wrecked me. He said the most important thing was keeping his child safe, and it felt so raw. He admitted he felt completely lost at first, and he’d try anything – anything someone in a position of authority told him to do. He even said he tried ‘tough love,’ even though it wasn’t natural for him at all. He’s usually such a warm person, but he forced himself to do it because he was desperate to help his kid. It was so heartbreakingly honest, and it just made me admire him even more.

The father of four explained that he realized he knows his child best, and he should have trusted his gut feeling. He said that was a key lesson he learned from the experience.

For more stars who have remembered the lives of Rob and Michele, keep reading… 

The actress, adopted by director Rob Reiner while he was married to the late Penny Marshall, said she last saw her father at a family event the day before he and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were discovered dead at their home in Los Angeles, in what appeared to be a homicide.

In a statement to NBC News on December 14th, she said she came from a wonderful family and was completely shocked by recent events, adding she didn’t know what to say.

The Princess Bride star said she’s “deeply shocked and devastated” by Rob and Michele’s passing.

I was absolutely devastated to hear about Rob’s passing. He was, without a doubt, one of the kindest, most compassionate people I’ve ever met. As a director, he was truly exceptional, and I can honestly say his influence has stayed with me and shaped my work throughout my entire career. It’s just heartbreaking.

The actress shared on Instagram that she’s heartbroken by the deaths of Rob and Michele. She explained they were cherished members of their community, and Rob’s artwork had a huge impact on people all over the world.

Speaking about the director of Alex & Emma, she said, “Rob was truly one of the best. He had a gift for making films that were funny, moving, and uplifting, and he wasn’t limited by genre – he just told incredible stories.”

The Academy Award-winning actress stated she had seen Rob and Michele the day before their bodies were discovered at their home in Los Angeles.

She described the couple as “wonderful, caring, smart, funny, and generous,” and shared on Instagram on December 15th that she had seen them just two nights before, looking healthy and happy. She added that she was devastated and in shock.

I was so saddened to hear about the passing of my A Few Good Men director and his wife. They were truly incredible people and devoted parents, always giving back and making a positive impact on the world. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved them during this difficult time – their family, friends, and all those affected by this loss.

Demi Moore raised her daughters alongside the three children of Rob and Michele, creating a blended family where all the girls grew up together. These daughters included Rumer Willis, Scout Willis, and Tallulah Willis, from her previous marriage to Bruce Willis.

She wrote that they had worked closely together, and she would always treasure the personal and professional memories they created as their lives became connected.

The actor shared a photo on Instagram of the chairs he and Rob Reiner sat in while filming The Princess Bride, simply writing “No words” to express his sadness after learning of the director’s death.

The actor, known for his role in Stand By Me, expressed his shock and sadness after hearing about the death of director Rob Reiner’s mother, Michele. He shared on X (formerly Twitter), “I’m completely shocked and heartbroken. I love you, Rob! You will be forever missed!”

Oh my gosh, Paul Feig just posted the sweetest thing on X! He called a picture of Robin Williams ‘one of his most cherished,’ and honestly, same! He said Rob was his true hero, a total visionary, and just… a lovely person. It’s so clear how much Paul admired him, and it just makes my heart ache in the best way. Robin Williams was everything!

He paused, then said it was hard to know if posting was appropriate given the tragedy. He wanted everyone to understand what many people in the industry already knew: Rob was truly exceptional.

The actress was heartbroken as she remembered Rob, her TV father from the show New Girl.

She shared on Instagram that she was heartbroken by the loss of Rob Reiner, describing him as incredibly kind, funny, and generous. She called him a wonderful person and a talented artist, and said she greatly valued their time working together, adding that his films had a profound impact on her life.

She fondly remembered Rob and Michele, saying they were consistently kind and she always enjoyed seeing them whenever she had the chance.

The actor from Stand By Me found out about the director’s passing from his colleague, Jerry O’Connell. In a post on his website on December 15th, he described the loss as tragic, senseless, and devastating, and said he was still trying to process it.

Oh my gosh, Wil was talking about Rob, and it was everything. He said Rob just made him feel… loved, valued, like someone actually saw him, you know? And this was when Wil was going through a really tough time with his parents while they were filming in ’86. It just… it meant the world to him, and honestly, it makes me love Rob even more! It’s like, he just had this gift for making people feel good about themselves.

Rob was a truly good person and his art touched many lives in a positive way, more than we’ll ever know. He used his position and influence to make the world a better place through his activism.

I was deeply saddened to hear about Rob and Michele Reiner. My husband, Brad, and I loved working with them on many film and television projects – their talent as actors, directors, and producers will always be remembered. But even more importantly, they were inspiring activists who passionately fought for the environment, social justice, and democracy. They were true American patriots and brought so much joy to those around them. Our hearts go out to the Reiner family during this difficult time.

Janelle James, known for her role in Abbott Elementary, shared a story on Instagram about her first television appearance. It was a scene with Rob McElhenney, and she fondly remembered being proud to work with him and discuss comedy over the years.

“I’m speechless,” she continued. “What a tragic loss.”

Former President Obama and his wife, Michelle, expressed their deep sadness over the passing of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele. He shared that Reiner’s work in film and television created many memorable stories, but more importantly, Reiner was a genuinely good person who dedicated his life to helping others and believing in the best of humanity.

He shared that the couple lived meaningful lives dedicated to a clear purpose. They will be fondly remembered for the principles they believed in and the many lives they touched. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to everyone who knew and loved them.

The actor, who worked with director Rob on the 1986 film Stand By Me, posted a photo with him on Instagram and wrote a heartfelt message: “Love you, Rob. Sincerely.”

He quickly clarified he wasn’t trying to offend his parents, explaining that Rob had been a father figure to him. Speaking on CBS Mornings on December 15th, he added, ‘It just feels unreal.’

Jerry shared, “I owe everything to Rob Reiner—absolutely everything. It’s a really difficult day.”

The family of the beloved TV star shared a heartfelt statement about the close relationship he had with another person.

The Lear family is heartbroken by the passing of Rob and Michele Reiner, according to a statement to Deadline. Norman Lear considered Rob like a son, and their bond was incredibly special to everyone who knew them.

The statement noted that Norman would have wanted everyone to remember Rob and Michele’s dedication to improving the country. They worked tirelessly towards this goal through their creative work, advocacy, charitable giving, and devotion to loved ones. Lyn Lear, a close friend, shared that their passing has made the world a much sadder place, leaving many heartbroken.

Jamie Lee expressed her and Christopher’s shock and sadness over the tragic deaths of their friends, Rob and Michelle Singer Reiner. In a statement to Variety, she said their only concern right now is supporting Rob and Michelle’s children and families in any way they can.

It’s just… it’s so hard to process. They said there will be time later to talk about all the amazing things they created together, and how much of a difference they made – not just in entertainment, but in things like helping kids grow up, fighting for marriage equality, and caring about the world. They’ve lost so many friends, and they just need a little space to grieve, and honestly, we all do.

When Rob and Michele’s deaths were announced, the star of Magic of Belle Isle shared a message on Instagram, writing, “May God comfort those who loved them. Thank you, Rob, for all the happiness you brought into our lives.”

Okay, seriously, Rob Reiner is a genius! I was SO excited to see that someone who actually worked with his dad, Carl Reiner – in that hilarious movie Good Boy! – said it best: the man had smart humor and a real heart. It’s true! Growing up, his movies were just… everywhere, part of the background of my life. I’m just so thankful for everything he created, and for the incredible legacy he and his wife left behind. He just got people, you know?

The Monty Python alum tweeted that he had spoken to Rob on the phone the night before his death.

I spent over an hour talking to Rob Reiner last night, and I’m deeply saddened to hear of his passing. I first met him back in 1975 at his father’s house, and I always cherished our conversations. He was telling me about filming at Stonehenge and sharing his hopes for the future. He was a truly clever, talented, and thoughtful person, and I will miss him dearly. It’s just awful.

The Misery star said she was “absolutely devasted” by the news of Rob’s death.

Kathy, who collaborated with director Rob in the 1990 film, shared in a statement that she adored him. She described him as both incredibly talented and a genuinely kind person, someone who constantly pushed his creative boundaries by working on diverse projects.

She shared that he profoundly impacted her life. Michele was a talented photographer who took the stunning photos for the Misery campaign. She expressed her deep sadness for both of them and offered her condolences to their family.

The actor expressed shock and sadness upon hearing about the death of Rob Reiner, remembering him as “a great man.” They had worked together on the 1985 film, The Sure Thing, forty years prior.

The actor, who previously worked with Rob Reiner on the 1994 film North, shared on X (formerly Twitter) their shock and sadness at the news of Reiner’s passing, along with his wife Michelle. They expressed sympathy to Reiner’s children and family.

She described Rob Reiner as an incredibly kind and wonderful person – joyful, considerate, and generous. He had a huge impact on the film industry and the world, creating movies that emphasized understanding and laughter. He encouraged people to be brave and pursue love. Using his large platform and storytelling skills, he championed democracy and supported those around him, both locally and globally.

Sophia continued, explaining that he consistently showed up even when no one was watching. He readily volunteered his time, joining countless Zoom meetings to support organizations working to improve the world. He generously shared his skills and talents, always saying yes to helping others. Over the years I’ve known him through this work, he’s been a positive influence and inspiration. I’m devastated by his and Michele’s passing, and I’m thinking of their families and friends.

I’ve always loved Rob Reiner as a director,” said the actor known for Zoolander on X. “He created some of the most influential films for people my age. He really stepped out of his father, Carl Reiner’s, shadow – Carl was a comedy legend and a TV star – and became a fantastic director with an amazing string of hits.

He added that Spinal Tap is a truly hilarious film – and that’s just one example. He was also a genuinely kind and very funny person.

The actress, known for her role in Bear, shared on Instagram that meeting this man was a life-changing experience, and she truly believes that. She was lucky enough to recently meet him and was amazed by his willingness to chat with her, especially knowing he did it simply to make a young fan happy.

She added that he truly loved his work and the people he worked with. He was incredibly giving with his time, energy, and experiences, and she was understandably devastated.

The comedian expressed shock and sadness after learning about the incident involving Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele. They called it a terrible situation and offered prayers for a quick resolution and support for the family and children, admitting they were speechless.

The Emmy-winning actor shared on Instagram that they were deeply saddened by the loss of their favorite director. They explained that A Few Good Men inspired them to become an actor, and the director’s work overall sparked their passion for directing, a desire that continues to this day.

He said he was deeply saddened by the loss of Rob and his wife, but acknowledged the significant and positive influence they had on his life and the lives of many others.

 

After hearing about the deaths of Rob and Michele, the musician remembered first meeting them while filming the upcoming movie, Spinal Tap at Stonehenge: The Final Finale.

Josh shared on Instagram that he and Michele treated him like family and gave him the chance to live out a dream. He described a time filled with laughter, love, and music, creating a memory he’ll always treasure. He expressed shock and deep sadness at their passing, and sent his condolences to their family.

The actor described Cary Elwes as a giant in their field, and a hugely important person in Elwes’s life. They sent their love, support, and prayers for strength and healing to Elwes and everyone grieving the loss of their friend during this incredibly sad time.

The star of Frozen shared on Facebook that the director was a truly great talent, a dear friend, and a wonderful person. She described Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle as incredibly kind and compassionate people who deeply cared about others, especially those who were often unheard. She expressed how heartbroken she is by his passing and how much she will miss him.

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2025-12-16 20:20