Rob Reiner Detailed Dad Carl Reiner’s Final Moments in Posthumous Doc

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Some friendships outlast time.

Rob Reiner always cherished the close relationship his father, Carl Reiner, had with Mel Brooks. He described their bond in a documentary filmed before his own passing in December, and revealed he was with his dad during his final hours.

Rob shared in the upcoming HBO documentary Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man that Mel Brooks was present when his father passed away in 2020. According to People magazine, Rob explained that his father suddenly collapsed in the bathroom, and Mel immediately sensed something was wrong.

Carl sadly passed away soon after from a heart attack, but Mel desperately pleaded with the paramedics for more time.

In the documentary, Mel remembered still wanting the team to successfully lift the person, saying, ‘I kept hoping they’d get him up.’ He admitted he repeatedly urged them on, yelling ‘Keep it up!’ for a full hour, which eventually led them to think he’d lost it.

After both Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner lost their wives – Estelle Reiner passed away in 2008 and Anne Bancroft in 2005 – they began spending nearly every evening together at Carl’s home, sharing simple dinners and watching movies, as shown in the documentary.

“I was just heartbroken at the thought of him leaving,” Mel explained. “I simply couldn’t come to terms with it, and I loved him deeply.”

Shortly after Carl passed away, Rob shared that Mel kept up their tradition and spent almost every evening with Rob and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner. Tragically, Michele and Rob were both killed in their home on December 14th, and their son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with the murders.

Rob remembered Mel having a very close relationship with his father, so much so that Mel continued to seek that connection even after his father passed away. Despite being only four years younger, Rob believed Mel saw his father as a parental role model.

The documentary, filmed before Carl passed away, featured an interview with him where he enthusiastically praised Mel’s talent.

You know, I rarely use the word ‘genius,’ but when I do, it’s because I believe true genius isn’t just about a single brilliant idea. It’s about consistently creating amazing work, and doing it a lot. Take Mel, for example – the sheer amount of incredible stuff he’s produced is undeniable. Honestly, if anyone tries to debate that, I’m confident they won’t have a strong argument!

This praise echoes the outpouring of support Rob received after his unexpected death in December. Many celebrities highlighted both his and Michele’s generosity, as well as his significant contributions to the entertainment industry.

Jane Fonda shared on social media that Rob and Michele Reiner were incredibly kind, intelligent, and funny people who consistently sought ways to improve the world.

For more tributes to the Reiners, read on. 

The actress, adopted by director Rob Reiner while he was married to the late Penny Marshall, stated 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 appears 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 actress shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying how much she would miss Rob Reiner. She thanked him and his wife, Michelle, for believing in love, joy, and the good in people, as well as for their patriotism. Continuing her tribute to the director of When Harry Met Sally and his wife, she expressed hope that something positive could come from this tragic loss – perhaps increased awareness or a greater understanding and peace among people. She felt they would want their legacy to be one of hope and compassion.

The actor from Spinal Tap shared on Instagram that Rob was a lifelong friend and someone he enjoyed working with. He described Rob as funny, intelligent, and a genuinely good person. He fondly remembered Rob’s booming laughter when he came to see both his comedy shows – the stand-up act and the musical he co-wrote – saying it could be heard all over the place.

Harry remembered that whenever he, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Rob came up with movie ideas, Rob was the one who would write them down on index cards and structure them into a full film.

He added that Michele was a close friend to his wife, Judith. He described the situation as devastating, like something out of an ancient Greek tragedy.

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

She said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter that she was deeply saddened by the news. She described Rob as a wonderfully loving, compassionate, and kind person, and an exceptional director whose influence continues to shape her work.

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

Speaking about the director of Alex & Emma, she said, “Rob was truly one of the best. He inspired so many of us with his talent for making films that were funny, moving, and uplifting. He wasn’t limited by genre – he just knew how to tell a great story.”

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.

I just… I can’t believe it. They were the most wonderful people – so caring, smart, and genuinely funny. And generous, always thinking of others. I actually saw them just two nights ago, and they looked so healthy and happy! I’m completely devastated, honestly. I’m still in shock, reeling from this loss. It just doesn’t seem real.

The actress shared on Instagram that her A Few Good Men director and his wife were incredible people and devoted parents who dedicated their lives to making a positive impact. She expressed her deepest sympathy, saying her thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by their 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. The Willis daughters – Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah – were a big part of that experience.

She wrote about how they collaborated, and how their lives became connected both at work and in their personal lives. She said she would always treasure the memories they made together.

The actor shared a photo on Instagram of his and Rob Reiner’s chairs from the set of The Princess Bride, simply writing “No words” as a tribute following the director’s death.

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

The director of A Simple Favor shared a beloved photo and a heartfelt tribute, calling Rob her hero, a visionary, and a wonderfully kind person.

He paused, then said it’s always difficult to know if posting is appropriate after a tragedy like this. But he wanted everyone to understand something many in the industry already knew: Rob was truly the best.

The actress was heartbroken as she remembered Rob, her on-screen 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 praised him as both a talented artist and a joy to work with, adding that she will always treasure their time together and that his films have deeply influenced her life.

She fondly remembered Rob and Michele, saying they were always kind and she cherished every chance she had to see them.

The actor from Stand By Me found out about the director’s death from his fellow actor, 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.

Wil shared that Rob made him feel cared for, appreciated, and understood while he was struggling with his relationship with his parents during the filming of the 1986 movie.

Rob was a truly good person whose art touched many lives in a positive way, more than we’ll ever know. He used his position and influence for good, and the world is a better place because of his dedication to making a difference.

I was so happy and honored to work with Rob and Michele Reiner on many film and TV projects. Their talent as actors, directors, and producers will always be remembered. But even more than that, they showed us how to be strong advocates for the environment, fairness, and our country. They were true American patriots and a joy to be around. Brad and I send our deepest sympathy to the Reiner family.

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

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

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele,” former President Obama shared on X (formerly Twitter). “Rob’s work in film and television created many of the stories we treasure. More importantly, he always believed in the good in people and dedicated his life to making a difference.

He shared that the couple lived meaningful lives, dedicated to making a difference. They will be fondly remembered for the principles they stood for 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 didn’t intend any disrespect to his parents, explaining, “Rob was like a father to me.” He told CBS Mornings on December 15th that the situation felt unreal.

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

The family of the beloved TV star shared a heartfelt statement about the close bond he shared with another individual.

The Lear family is deeply saddened 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, both to those who knew them and to the public.

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

Jamie Lee shared that she and Christopher are devastated by the tragic deaths of their friends, Rob and Michelle Singer Reiner. She stated that their only concern right now is supporting Rob and Michelle’s children and families, and they will do everything they can to help.

As we navigate this incredibly sad time, my heart goes out to their loved ones. They’ve asked for a bit of privacy as they grieve, and it’s something I completely understand. They shared that later on, they’ll want to celebrate the amazing creative legacies they built together, and the huge positive impact they had – not just on entertainment, but on things like early childhood education, the fight for marriage equality, and helping people around the world. It’s a profound loss, and they, like all of us who knew and admired them, need time to process everything.

When Rob and Michele passed away, actress and Magic of Belle Isle star shared a heartfelt message on Instagram. She wrote, “May God comfort those who loved them. Thank you, Rob, for all the happiness you brought into our lives.”

The actor, who worked with Carl Reiner in the 2003 movie Good Boy!, posted on X that Reiner’s comedy was intelligent and genuinely heartfelt. He described Reiner’s films as a constant presence during his upbringing and expressed gratitude for Reiner’s creative contributions and the positive impact he and his wife had on the world.

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

I spoke with Rob Reiner last night for over an hour, and I’m heartbroken by the news of his passing. I’ve always cherished our time together, going back to when I first met him at his father’s house in 1975. He was a wonderfully clever, talented, and thoughtful person, and I remember him sharing stories about filming at Stonehenge and his hopes for the future. It’s just awful, and I will miss him dearly.

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

Kathy, who collaborated with the director on a film in the 1990s, shared with NBC that she was a big fan of Rob. She described him as both a talented and compassionate 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 captured stunning images for the Misery campaign. She expressed deep sadness for both of them and extended her condolences to their family.

The actor expressed shock and sadness upon hearing of Rob Reiner’s passing, 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 Reiner’s passing, along with his wife Michelle. They expressed their sympathy to Reiner’s children and family.

She described Rob Reiner as an incredibly kind and joyful person, known for his thoughtfulness and generosity. He had a huge impact on the film industry and the world, creating movies that highlighted empathy and humor. He inspired people to be braver and take chances in the pursuit of love. With his large platform and storytelling skills, he championed democracy and stood up for others, both locally and globally.

Honestly, it wasn’t just on screen with him, it was everything. He was always the first one to jump in and help, always on those Zoom calls, supporting organizations that were actually trying to make a difference. He just freely gave of himself, his time, his talents… always saying yes to help others. I’ve been so lucky to work alongside him for years, and he’s truly inspired me to be a better person. I’m absolutely devastated by the loss of him and Michele, and my heart just aches for everyone who loved them.

I’ve always loved Rob Reiner as a director,” said the actor known for Zoolander in a post on X. “He created some truly influential films for people my age. He stepped out from under the shadow of his famous father, Carl Reiner, and transitioned from being a TV actor to become a remarkably successful director with a string of amazing movies.

He added that Spinal Tap is a truly hilarious film – one of the greatest comedies of all time. He was also a genuinely kind and very funny person.

The actress from Bear shared on Instagram that meeting this man was a life-changing experience, and she wasn’t exaggerating. She recently had the chance to meet him and was amazed by his willingness to chat with her, especially knowing he did it simply to make a young fan happy.

Honestly, it’s just heartbreaking. He truly loved his work, and even more so, the people he got to share it with. He was incredibly giving with his time, his energy, and always had a story to tell. I’m just completely devastated by this loss.

The comedian expressed shock and horror upon 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 sympathy to the family and children, admitting they were speechless.

The Emmy-winning actor posted on Instagram about their sadness following the death of a beloved director. They explained that A Few Good Men inspired them to pursue acting, and the director’s overall work motivated their desire to direct, a passion that continues today.

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 working on the upcoming film, 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 achieve a lifelong dream. He described a time filled with joy, love, and music, creating a memory he’ll always treasure. He expressed shock and deep sadness at their passing, sending his condolences to their family.

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2026-01-16 17:49