Remembering Rob Reiner: Politicians, Celebrities React To Director And His Wife's Killings

LOS ANGELES, CA — Following the news that Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their home Sunday night, celebrities, politicians and other prominent figures have shared remembrances of the couple.

Everyone from former President Barack Obama to Rob Reiner's long list of creative collaborators shared have memories and condolences, reflecting the couple's wide-reaching impact in activism and entertainment.

"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time," reads statement issued by the Reiner family published by Variety Sunday.

• Read the latest: Timeline Of Reiner Slayings: From Conan's Party To The Obamas' Visit And A Son On Suicide Watch

Here's a look at some of the other messages shared by public figures since Sunday:

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel Newsom

The governor and his wife wrote that they were "heartbroken" by the couple's deaths.

Reiner's "boundless empathy made his stories timeless, teaching generations how to see goodness and righteousness in others — and encouraging us to dream bigger," the statement reads. "That empathy extended well beyond his films. Rob was a passionate advocate for children and for civil rights — from taking on Big Tobacco, fighting for marriage equality, to serving as a powerful voice in early education. He made California a better place through his good works."

Rob Reiner was a prominent liberal activist, helping to spearhead efforts to legalize same-sex marriage in California and to pass a 1998 initiative that created the First 5 California childhood-development services program, funded by a tobacco tax.

Barack and Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Monday, where she said that she and her husband — former President Barack Obama — had planned to see the couple on the day they were found dead.

“We were supposed to be seeing them that night — last night,” she said, according to the New York Times. “Rob and Michele Reiner are some of the most decent, courageous people you ever want to know.”

Responding to President Donald Trump's comments suggesting the couple were killed because of "Trump derangement syndrome," Obama said “They are not deranged or crazed ... What they have always been are passionate people when there’s not a lot of courage going on."

The former president also shared his own remembrance on X, praising Rob Reiner's "deep belief in the goodness of people."

Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen. But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 15, 2025

Mayor Karen Bass

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who said she knew Rob Reiner, called the couple's deaths "a devastating loss for our city."

This is 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. An acclaimed actor,…
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) December 15, 2025

Kamala Harris

Former Vice President Kamala Harris said her and her husband counted the Reiners as "dear friends."

Rob Reiner's work has impacted generations of Americans. The characters, dialogue, and visuals he brought to life in film and television are woven throughout our culture. Rob loved our country, cared deeply about the future of our nation, and fought for America's democracy.

Rob…
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) December 15, 2025

Nancy Pelosi

Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi said the couple's killings were "devastating."

Norman Lear

Norman Lear created the CBS hit sitcom "All in the Family," which Rob Reiner starred in from 1971 to 1979. The late Lear's family issued this statement:

"The Lear Family is devastated by the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner. Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world. Norman would have wanted to remind us that Rob and Michele spent every breath trying to make this country a better place."

John Cusack

John Cusack, who starred in Rob Reiner's 1985 coming-of-age film, "The Sure Thing," posted several remembrances of the director.

In regards to "The Sure Thing," Cusack wrote "when I saw that film as soon as I heard the opening narration and saw the first shot - I knew I was lucky enough to be in a classic."

What made Rob a great man - was not his prodigious talents as an actor director writer producer - it was his huge heart, his endless generosity and his decency and humanity that made him great.
He had soul - and saw the soul in others . He loved justice . Gave me my break in…
— John Cusack (@johncusack) December 15, 2025

Josh Gad

Actor Josh Gad, who collaborated with Rob Reiner on a 2024 send-up video of Reiner's "The Princess Bride," called Reiner "one of the greatest directors of our time."

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Ron Howard

Filmmaker and actor Ron Howard remembered Rob Reiner as "a superlative filmmaker, a supportive colleague and at all times a dedicated citizen."

#RIPRobReiner Our careers and lives intersected often over the decades from Rob writing the pilot script for Happy Days and then as we each shifted from acting careers into directing and producing. He proved to be a superlative filmmaker, a supportive colleague and at all times…
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) December 15, 2025

Christopher Guest and Jamie Lee Curtis

Actor Christopher Guest — who starred in Rob Reiner's "This Is Spinal Tap" —along with his wife, Jamie Lee Curtis, issued a joint statement that they were "numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michelle 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."

"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," the statement concluded.

Jerry Seinfeld

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld said Rob Reiner was among the three people who had the biggest influence on his career.

The then-recently launched Castle Rock Entertainment, co-founded by Reiner, was among the production companies behind "Seinfeld." Reiner fought to keep the show going after its pilot failed to resonate with testing audiences, Deadline reported.

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City News Service contributed to this report.