Police are investigating the deaths of acclaimed filmmaker and political activist Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, after the couple were found dead in their Los Angeles home, city and state officials said on Sunday. Authorities described the case as an apparent homicide.
FILE PHOTO: Actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele arrive on the red carpet at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, U.S., April 28, 2018. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein/File Photo
While police declined to formally identify the deceased, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed in separate statements that Reiner, 78, and his wife, 68, had died.
Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said officers responding to the residence late Sunday afternoon discovered two bodies inside the home. Detectives from the LAPD’s robbery-homicide unit are handling the case and were awaiting a search warrant to conduct a full investigation of the property.
Members of the media in the Brentwood Park neighbourhood where the bodies of two elderly people were found at the home of Hollywood director Rob Reiner in Los Angeles, California, U.S. December 14, 2025. REUTERS/Jill Connelly
In an earlier social media post, the LAPD referred to the case as an “apparent homicide,” though Hamilton said no suspects had been identified as of Sunday night. The cause of death will be determined and released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Mayor Bass called Reiner’s death a profound loss, praising his impact on American culture and his advocacy for social and economic justice.
Reiner first gained national recognition as an actor on the television sitcom All in the Family, where he played Mike “Meathead” Stivic. He later built a celebrated career as a director, helming iconic films including This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally…, Stand by Me, A Few Good Men, Misery and The American President. A sequel to This Is Spinal Tap was released this year.
FILE PHOTO: “All In The Family” cast members Rob Reiner as Michael, Archie’s son-in-law; Sally Struthers as Gloria, Archie’s daughter and Jean Stapleton as Edith, Archie’s wife pose with Carroll O’Connor in an undated handout photograph. Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
His wife, Michele, was a photographer and took the image of Donald Trump used on the cover of Trump: The Art of the Deal.
The son of late comedy writer and actor Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner was also widely known for his political activism. He supported several Democratic presidential candidates, including John Kerry, Al Gore and Hillary Clinton, and appeared in campaign advertisements during the 2004 election.
Reiner was previously married to filmmaker and actor Penny Marshall. He later married Michele Singer, with whom he had three children.
