Rob Reiner dies at 78: Tribute to the ‘When Harry Met Sally…’ director

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — On Dec. 14, 2025, acclaimed actor and director Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife, photographer and producer Michele Reiner, 68, were found dead in their Los Angeles home.

According to reporting by the Associated Press, the Reiners’ 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department on suspicion of murdering his parents. If convicted, Nick Reiner could spend life behind bars without the possibility of parole.

The deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner are tragic, heartbreaking and wholly unexpected. Rob Reiner was a tremendously creative force right up until his death. Just months ago, Rob Reiner released his last movie: “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues,” the sequel to his influential directorial debut, the 1984 mockumentary, “This Is Spinal Tap.” As an actor, he appeared this past summer in season 4 of “The Bear.”

An inconceivable number of hits

Rob Reiner’s movies have made an inestimable impact on so many people’s lives. Here are a few of the ways they changed mine:

I studied “A Few Good Men” in college as the premiere example of a courtroom drama.

I watched “This Is Spinal Tap” for the first time this year in a packed, laughing theater.

I discovered “The American President” in high school, late at night, wracked with insomnia.

All three connected me to loving movies in all the important ways: intellectually, communally and personally.

Watching “Stand By Me” got me through Covid, which felt endless. Seeing “Misery” eased me into loving horror, which I now can’t get enough of.

If that weren’t enough, they’re two of the best Stephen King adaptations ever made.

Even Rob Reiner’s lesser-known movies have things to love. After hearing the news last night, I watched “The Sure Thing” for the first time. Clunky? Sure. Outdated? A bit. Otherwise? I was swept away smiling.

“When Harry Met Sally…” taught me what it was to fall in love and “The Princess Bride” was one of the first movies I fell in love with.

From thriller to rom-com to coming-of-age, it felt like Rob Reiner could make anything, and make it well. His talent was dialed up to 11.

Though details are still emerging about the manner of the Reiners’ death, one thing is positively certain: the world is a better place for their time on it. Best wishes to the Reiner family, their friends and their loved ones.