As the entertainment industry and fans across the globe continue to grieve following the tragic death of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, the late director's closest friends and colleagues have released a statement paying homage to the couple. The filmmaker behind classics like Misery and Stand by Me and his wife were found dead this Sunday in their Los Angeles home. The circumstances and evidence led investigators to treat the deaths as a homicide.
Comedy legends Billy Crystal, Albert Brooks, Martin Short, and Larry David worked with Reiner at some point of their extensive careers. Remembering their friends, the Hollywood stars all joined forces to release an endearing letter, published by Deadline:
"Going to the movies in a dark theater filled with strangers having a common experience, laughing, crying, screaming in fear, or watching an intense drama unfold is still an unforgettable thrill. Tell us a story audiences demand of us. Absorbing all he had learned from his father Carl and his mentor Norman Lear, Rob Reiner not only was a great comic actor, he became a master storyteller. There is no other director who has his range. From comedy to drama to 'mockumentary' to documentary he was always at the top of his game. He charmed audiences. They trusted him. They lined up to see his films.
"His comedic touch was beyond compare, his love of getting the music of the dialogue just right, and his sharpening of the edge of a drama was simply elegant. For the actors, he loved them. For the writers he made them better. His greatest gift was freedom. If you had an idea, he listened, he brought you into the process. They always felt they were working as a team. To be in his hands as a filmmaker was a privilege but that is only part of his legacy.
"Rob was also a passionate, brave citizen, who not only cared for this country he loved, he did everything he could to make it better and, with his loving wife Michele, he had the perfect partner. Strong and determined, Michele and Rob Reiner devoted a great deal of their lives for the betterment of our fellow citizens… They were a special force together-dynamic, unselfish and inspiring. We were their friends, and we will miss them forever."
As specified by Deadline, the statement was signed by "Billy and Janice Crystal, Albert and Kimberly Brooks, Martin Short, Alan and Robin Zweibel, Larry David and Ashley Underwood, and Marc Shaiman and Lou Mirabal."
Many Questions Linger About Rob & Michele Reiner's Murder
© Universal Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection
As tributes keep pouring in celebrating the legacy of Rob and Michele Reiner, many questions remain about their murder. Though it was a matter of speculation at first, the couple's son, 32-year-old Nick Reiner, has reportedly been charged with the murders and is currently held in custody. The young man has a history of substance abuse, and according to reports, he had a confrontation with his father during a holiday party at Conan O'Brien's home the night prior to the murders.
