Billy Crystal & Friends Share Heartbreaking Tribute to Rob Reiner

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Rob Reiner‘s inner circle is in mourning.

Following the murders of director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, in their Los Angeles home on December 14th, actor Billy Crystal and other close friends collaborated on a shared statement honoring the couple.

The December 16th message was signed by the actor and over a dozen other prominent figures in the film industry, including Martin Short, Larry David, Albert Brooks, Marc Shaiman, Barry Levinson, and Billy Crystal’s wife, Janice Crystal.

The unique experience of watching a movie with others in a darkened theater – sharing laughter, tears, and thrills – remains incredibly special,” they said. “We want to hear stories that audiences are eager to see.”

Building on the lessons from his father, Carl Reiner, and mentor Norman Lear, Rob Reiner excelled as both a comedic actor and a skilled storyteller. The letter highlighted his remarkable versatility as a director, spanning genres from comedy and drama to mockumentaries and documentaries, always delivering exceptional work. He had a gift for captivating audiences who readily embraced and anticipated his films.

As a creative professional, I’ve always admired directors who truly collaborate, and Rob was one of the best. Everyone who worked with him raved about his knack for blending humor and heart in his storytelling. But what really set him apart was how he treated people. He adored his actors and had a gift for bringing out the best in his writers. He wasn’t a dictator; he fostered a sense of freedom and teamwork, genuinely listening to ideas and making everyone feel like a valued partner. Being guided by him was a real honor, and that spirit of collaboration is a huge part of what he’ll be remembered for.

The group also fondly remembered Rob and his wife, Michele, and their dedication to fighting for what they believed in.

Friends remember Michele and Rob Reiner as a powerful and dedicated couple who spent their lives working to improve the lives of others. They were a truly inspiring team – generous, energetic, and always putting others first. Their friends will deeply miss them.

The Reiners family concluded their statement by quoting a line from the 1946 holiday film It’s a Wonderful Life, explaining it was one of Rob’s most cherished movies.

They said, ‘Every person impacts so many others, and when someone is gone, it leaves a huge void.’ ‘You really don’t understand how true that is,’ I replied.

For more touching tributes to Rob and Michele, read on.

The group also fondly remembered Rob and his wife, Michele, and their dedication to fighting for causes they believed in.

Friends remember Michele and Rob Reiner as a powerful couple deeply committed to making life better for others. They were a truly inspiring force, always putting others first, and will be dearly missed.

The Reiners family concluded their statement by quoting a line from the beloved 1946 Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, explaining it was one of Rob’s most cherished films.

They said, “Every person impacts so many others, and when someone is gone, it leaves a huge void.” I agreed, saying, “You really don’t.”

For more touching tributes to Rob and Michele, 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 Los Angeles home 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 Princess Bride star said she’s “deeply shocked and devastated” by Rob and Michele’s passing.

Honestly, hearing about Rob is just devastating. He wasn’t just a director to me – he was one of the kindest, most genuinely good people I’ve ever met. I mean, he was incredibly talented, of course, but it was his heart that really got to you. And his work… it’s stayed with me, influenced everything I’ve done, for my entire career. It’s a huge loss.

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

Speaking about her former director of Alex & Emma, she described Rob as a truly exceptional filmmaker. He had a gift for creating movies that were funny, moving, and uplifting, and he wasn’t limited by genre – he simply focused on telling compelling 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 over their passing.

The actress shared on Instagram that her director from A Few Good Men 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 and her ex-husband Bruce Willis’ daughters – Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah – grew up alongside Rob and Michele’s three children, effectively becoming blended siblings.

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

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.

I was so incredibly shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Rob Reiner and Michele. It’s just horrible news. All I can say is I loved Rob, and he will be deeply missed. He truly left a lasting impact, and I’ll always cherish the memories.

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

He paused, then said it’s always hard to know if sharing something on social media is right after a tragedy. But he wanted everyone to understand what many people in their field already knew: Rob was truly exceptional.

The actress was heartbroken when she remembered Rob, her TV father on New Girl, and shared a tribute to him.

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, saying she’ll always treasure their time together and that his films have deeply influenced her life.

She fondly remembered Rob and his wife, Michele, saying they were always kind and she cherished every moment she spent with them.

I was so shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of the director. I found out through Jerry O’Connell, and honestly, I’m still trying to process it all. It feels like such a tragic, senseless, and devastating loss, and it’s really hard to take in.

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 who created beautiful art and positively impacted countless lives. He used his position and influence for good, making the world a better place through his activism.

I was so fortunate to work with Rob and Michele Reiner many times on films and TV shows, and their contributions as actors, directors, and producers will always be remembered,” wrote the Seinfeld star on Instagram. “But even more importantly, they showed us how to be dedicated activists and strong advocates for the environment, fairness, and our country. They truly loved America and were a joy to be around. Our hearts go out to the Reiner family.

Janelle James, known for her role in Abbott Elementary, shared a memory on Instagram about her very first TV 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.”

Barack Obama shared his sadness over the loss of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, on X (formerly Twitter). He praised Reiner’s work in film and television, saying it brought many beloved stories to life. Obama also highlighted Reiner’s strong faith in humanity and his dedication to making a positive difference in the world.

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, adding a heartfelt message: “Love you, Rob. Sincerely.”

Look, I have so much respect for my parents, but Rob… Rob was like a dad to me. I said it on CBS Mornings recently, and it still feels so strange to even say it out loud. It’s just…surreal, honestly.

Jerry explained, “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 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 remarkably close, both personally and publicly.

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 strong relationships with loved ones. Lyn Lear, a close friend, shared that their loss has made the world a dimmer place, leaving many heartbroken.

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

The couple shared that they will talk later about their creative work together and the positive influence they both had on entertainment, children’s development, the fight for marriage equality, and global issues. They also asked for privacy as they mourn the loss of dear friends.

When Rob and Michele’s deaths were announced, the star of Magic of Belle Isle shared a message on Instagram remembering her director and his wife. 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 film Good Boy!, posted on X that Reiner’s comedy was intelligent and genuinely heartfelt. He described Reiner’s work as a constant presence during his upbringing and expressed gratitude for Reiner and his wife’s contributions to 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 his passing. I’ve known him since 1975, when I met him at his father’s house. He was a wonderful person – clever, talented, and always thoughtful. He even shared stories about filming at Stonehenge and his future plans. 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 director Rob in the 1990 film, shared in a statement that she adored him. She described him as both a gifted and compassionate person, always striving to push his creative boundaries through diverse filmmaking 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 said her thoughts were with their family.

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

The actor, who previously collaborated 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 deep sympathy to Reiner’s children and family.

She described Rob Reiner as an incredibly kind and joyful person, also noting 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 others to be courageous and take chances in the pursuit of love. Reiner used his platform and storytelling skills to champion democracy and support people in his community and beyond.

Sophia continued, explaining that he consistently showed up even when no one was watching. He readily volunteered for any organizing effort, joining countless Zoom calls to support groups working to improve the world. He generously shared his skills and time, always saying yes to help 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’s work,” said the actor known for Zoolander in a post on X. “He directed many of the films that really shaped my generation. It’s amazing how he stepped out from under the shadow of his incredibly funny father, Carl Reiner, and transitioned from being a TV actor to becoming such a fantastic and successful director.

He added that This is 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 had a profound impact on her life. She was thrilled to have recently met him and was touched by his willingness to chat with her, simply to make a young fan happy.

She added that he was passionate about his work and cherished the friendships he made through it. He freely shared his time, energy, and experiences with others, and she was deeply saddened by his 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 for the family and children, admitting they were speechless.

The Emmy-winning actor shared on Instagram that they were deeply saddened by the passing of their favorite director. They explained that A Few Good Men inspired them to pursue acting, and the director’s overall work motivated them to become a director themselves – a dream they still hold today.

It truly breaks my heart to think about Rob and his wife no longer being with us. But you know, as someone who’s observed a lot of lives, I can say with certainty that they left an incredible mark on so many people – myself included. Their impact was just undeniable, and that’s a beautiful thing to remember.

 

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 helped him achieve a lifelong dream. He described their time together as 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 hugely influential person in their field and a deeply important figure in Elwes’s own life. They sent their heartfelt condolences, offering love, support, and prayers for strength and healing to Elwes and everyone grieving the loss during this incredibly sad time. They finished by expressing their affection for their friend.

I’m absolutely heartbroken. He wasn’t just a brilliant director, he was a genuinely wonderful person, a friend. I mean, Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle were the kindest people you could ever hope to meet – they had such huge hearts and truly cared about everyone, especially those who needed help. This loss… it’s just devastating. I honestly can’t even begin to explain how much this hurts. He was one of a kind.

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2025-12-17 05:49