Rob Reiner and Son Nick Argued at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas Party the Day Before Director Found Dead
New details about Rob Reiner’s final hours are coming to light.
One day before the When Harry Met Sally director and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were found dead inside their Los Angeles home Dec. 14, he and the couple’s son Nick Reiner got into an argument at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party, multiple sources told the L.A. Times and People.
E! News has reached out to reps for Rob and Conan for comment but has yet to hear back.
Hours after the bodies of Rob, 78, and Michele, 68, were discovered, Nick—who co-wrote the 2015 drama Being Charlie, directed by his dad—was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed in a Dec. 15 press release. He remains in custody as the case awaits filing consideration by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Nick’s bail was originally set at $4 million, according to online jail records reviewed by E! News. However, the LAPD said he is now being held without bail.
In the wake of the tragedy, family members confirmed the deaths of Rob and Michele—who were also parents to Jake Reiner, 34, and Romy Reiner, 27—telling Variety in a statement, “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”
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Rob’s daughter Tracy Reiner, 61—whom he shared with late ex-wife Penny Marshall—also gave her stunned reaction to the deaths of her dad and stepmom.
“I came from the greatest family ever,” she told NBC News. “I don’t know what to say. I’m in shock.”
Many members of Rob and Michele’s inner circle have also shared tributes to the late couple. To see how stars are honoring the acclaimed filmmaker and his beloved wife, keep reading.
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
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Tracy Reiner
The actress, who Rob Reiner adopted during his marriage to late ex Penny Marshall, said she saw her dad at a family gathering the day before he and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were found dead in an apparent homicide at their Los Angeles home.
“I came from the greatest family ever,” she told NBC News in a Dec. 14 statement. “I don’t know what to say. I’m in shock.”
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Kate Hudson
“The loss of Rob and Michele is absolutely devastating,” the actress wrote on Instagram. “They were not only important to our close community but Rob touched so many millions globally with his art.”
She continued of her Alex & Emma director, “Rob was one of the greats. Inspiring so many of us with his ability to craft films that are humorous, powerful, inspirational. He knew no genre, only great storytelling.”
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Jane Fonda
The two-time Oscar winner said she saw Rob and Michele one day before they were found dead at their Los Angeles home.
Remembering the late couple as “wonderful, caring, smart, funny, generous people,” she wrote on Instagram Dec. 15, “I saw them night before last looking healthy and happy. I am reeling with grief. Stunned.”
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Demi Moore
“They were amazing people and wonderful parents who gave of themselves to make the world a better place,” the actress shared on Instagram of her A Few Good Man director and his wife. “My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with their family, friends, and all that are affected by this tragedy.”
Demi added Rob and Michele’s three children “grew up together” with her and ex Bruce Willis‘ daughters Rumer Willis, Scout Willis and Tallulah Willis.
“We worked together,” she wrote, “and as our lives intertwined personally and professionally I will always cherish the moments and memories of what we shared.”
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Cary Elwes
Posting a photo of his and Rob’s chairs on the set of The Princess Bride, the actor captioned on Instagram in reaction to the director’s passing, “No words.”
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Paul Feig
“One of my most cherished pictures,” the A Simple Favor director captioned on X. “Rob was my true hero. A true visionary titan and a lovely lovely person.”
He continued, “One never knows if it’s proper to post during something as tragic as this. But I just want the world to know what so many of us know in the industry. Rob was the best.”
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Zooey Deschanel
The actress was “absolutely devastated” as she paid tribute to Rob, who played her father on New Girl.
“My heart is broken,” she wrote on Instagram. “Rob Reiner was the absolute warmest, funniest, most generous of spirits. A truly good human being. An incredible artist and such a playful and fun collaborator. I cherish the time we spent working together and the many films he made that have shaped who I am.”
She added, “Rob and his lovely wife Michele were always so kind and it brought me so much joy any time I was lucky enough to see them.”
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Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Brad Hall
“My husband Brad and I had the great honor and pleasure of working with Rob and Michele Reiner often and happily in movies and television where their impact as actor, director, and producer will be everlasting,” the Seinfeld alum wrote on Instagram. “Even more deeply felt was their superb example of how to be an activist and a powerful voice for the environment, for justice, and for democracy. They were great American patriots, and they were so much fun. We send our condolences and love to the Reiner family.”
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Quinta Brunson
The Abbott Elementary star recalled how her “first ever television role was a scene” with Rob, writing on Instagram Story, “I was proud to work with and get to talk about comedy with him over time.”
“I’m speechless,” she continued. “What a tragic loss.”
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Barack Obama & Michelle Obama
“Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele,” the former president wrote on X. “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 people—and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.”
He continued, “Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose. They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired. We send our deepest condolences to all who loved them.”
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Jerry O’Connell
The actor, who was directed by Rob in 1986’s Stand By Me, shared a photo of himself on set with the director on Instagram, simply saying, “Love you, Rob. Sincerely.”
“I don’t mean this as any offense to my parents—Rob was like a father to me,” he added on CBS Mornings Dec. 15. “He was like a father to me. It’s just surreal.”
Jerry continued, “Everything I have is because of Rob Reiner. Everything I have. It’s just a shocking day.”
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Norman Lear’s Family
The family of the late television icon released an emotional statement noting how close the duo were.
“The Lear Family is devastated by the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner,” they told Deadline. “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,” the statement continued, “and they pursued that through their art, their activism, their philanthropy, and their love for family and friends. Lyn Lear had remained very close with them and said, ‘The world is unmistakably darker tonight, and we are left bereft.'”
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Christopher Guest & Jamie Lee Curtis
“Christopher and I are numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michelle Singer Reiner,” Jamie Lee said in a statement to Variety, “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.”
The couple added, “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.”
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Virginia Madsen
After news of Rob and Michele’s passing broke, the Magic of Belle Isle star wrote on Instagram of her director and his wife, “God be with those who love them. Thank you Rob for giving us so much joy to hold on to.”
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Kevin Nealon
“The humor is smart and the heart is real,” the actor, who costarred with Rob’s dad Carl Reiner in 2003’s Good Boy!, shared on X. “His films were part of the air for us. Grateful for what he made, and for what he and his wife gave the world.
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Eric Idle
The Monty Python alum tweeted that he had spoken to Rob on the phone the night before his death.
“Rob Reiner was a lovely man. I spoke to him last night for over an hour,” he wrote on X. “I always enjoyed his company. I met him at his Dad’s in 1975. He was telling me about fiming at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future. This is so awful. I shall miss him. A clever, talented and very thoughtful man. So awful.”
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Kathy Bates
The Misery star said she was “absolutely devasted” by the news of Rob’s death.
“I loved Rob,” Kathy, who worked with the director in the 1990 film, told NBC in a statement. “He was brilliant and kind, a man who made films of every genre to challenge himself as an artist.”
She continued, “He changed the course of my life. Michele was a gifted photographer. She shot my beautiful photos for the Misery campaign. My heart breaks for them both. My thoughts are with their family.”
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John Cusack
“Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner,” the actor shared on X, 40 years after working with the director in 1985’s The Sure Thing. “A great man.”
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Elijah Wood
The actor, who worked with the director in the 1994 movie North, wrote on X, “Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michelle [sic]. So much love to their kids and family.”
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Sophia Bush
“Rob Reiner was an almost indescribably wonderful man,” she wrote on X. “Kind, jovial, thoughtful, and generous. He shaped our industry of course, and more so the world around us, making films that centered empathy and humor. He made us more bold, willing to take risks for love. He used his massive audience and knowledge of how to tell stories to defend democracy, and stand for his neighbors, both near and far.”
“And even when the cameras were off, he showed up,” Sophia went on. “He was often first to say yes to the organizing work, showing up on zoom after zoom, in support of organizations making the world a better place. He offered his talents and gifts. He said YES in service of others. In the years I’ve been lucky enough to know him in those dedicated spaces, he has influenced and inspired me, for good. I am utterly heartbroken at his and Michele’s deaths, and I am holding his loved ones in my heart today.”
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Ben Stiller
“Rob Reiner was one of my favorite directors,” the Zoolander alum shared on X. “He made some of the most formative movies for my generation. He came out form behind a huge comedic shadow of the great Carl Reiner and being a tv actor to being a a great director who made an incredible run of movies.”
He continued, “Spinal Tap is one of the best comedies ever made—and the list goes on. He was a kind caring person who was really really funny.”
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Ayo Edebiri
“This man’s work changed my life and I don’t think that’s hyperbolic,” the Bear actress wrote on her Instagram Stories. “I was so fortunate to have met him recently and couldn’t believe how game he was to talk to me—and now just because he wanted to indulge a young fan.”
She continued, “But because he really loved what he did and the friends he got to do it with. He was so generous with his time and energy and stories. Feeling absolutely gutted.”
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Roseanne Barr
“I’m absolutely shocked and horrified to hear about Rob Reiner and his wife Michele,” the comedian wrote on X. “This is a travesty. Praying for swift justice. Sympathies to their family and children. I’m at a loss for words.”
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Paul Walter Hauser
“Grieving the loss of my favorite director of all-time,” the Emmy winner shared on Instagram. “A Few Good Men is THE reason I became an actor, and Rob’s filmography behind the camera is THE reason I wanted to direct and still do.”
He added, “I hate that Rob and his wife are gone from this world, but they sure as hell impacted me and countless others while here.”
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Josh Groban
In the wake of Rob and Michele’s death, the musician recalled meeting the couple while working on the yet-to-be released Spinal Tap at Stonehenge: The Final Finale.
“He and Michele made me feel like family and gave me an incredible opportunity to fulfill a dream,” Josh shared on Instagram. “There was laughter and love and song and it was a memory I will cherish forever. I’m stunned and deeply saddened and sending my love to their family.
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Billy Baldwin
“A towering figure in our industry,” the actor commented on Cary Elwes‘ tribute to Rob. “And also a towering figure in your life, Cary. Sending love, light, strength and healing prayers to you and all those who loved him during this unspeakably tragic time. Love you my friend.”
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Josh Gad
“He was one of the greatest directors of our time. He was a friend. He was simply a beautiful person,” the Frozen star wrote on Facebook. “Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle [sic] were two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine. He cared so much for those who had no voices. This loss is devastating. I cannot express how much this hurts.”
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Rob Schneider
“I am deeply saddened,” the comedian shared on X. “One of the most accomplished American directors who ever lived, his movies have been adored by generations, but I will remember him most for making me laugh my guts out with my Dad watching the greatest American tv show of all time, All In The Family.”
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