Hollywood legend Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead in their Los Angeles home, the United States, on Sunday, authorities said, in what is being treated as an apparent homicide.
Police and firefighters responded to the couple’s residence in Brentwood, an upscale LA neighbourhood known for housing celebrities.
Rob Reiner, 78, was a celebrated filmmaker and actor, best known for directing classics such as The Princess Bride, This is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, and A Few Good Men.
His wife, Michele Reiner, 68, was an actress, photographer, and producer, and the owner of Reiner Light, a photography agency and production house.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner,” a family spokesperson said in a statement to US media. “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”
Police confirmed that both individuals were pronounced dead at the home. Authorities did not immediately reveal the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
No arrests have been made, and officials noted that there is currently no suspect or person of interest.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department said they received a call for medical aid at approximately 15:38 local time (23:38 GMT).
Robbery homicide detectives have since opened a homicide investigation. At a news conference on Sunday night, Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said both bodies remained inside the home more than six hours after first responders arrived.
Details about injuries or weapons involved were not disclosed, with the LA coroner’s office expected to determine the official cause of death.
California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed the deaths, describing Reiner as a “big-hearted genius behind so many of the classic stories we love.”
Former US President, Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle also expressed their heartbreak over the couple’s deaths.
A“Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen,” Obama said. “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. 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.”
Rob Reiner, the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, began his career in the 1960s and gained fame playing “Meathead” on the groundbreaking sitcom All in the Family in the 1970s, earning two Emmy Awards. He directed and appeared in the cult mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap (1984), which marked the start of a string of Hollywood hits including Stand By Me (1986), The Princess Bride (1987), When Harry Met Sally (1989), Misery (1990), and A Few Good Men (1992), the latter earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
He most recently reunited with Spinal Tap for the long-awaited sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, released in September. Reiner also co-founded Castle Rock Entertainment.
Rob was previously married to Laverne & Shirley actress Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981 and became the adoptive father of her daughter, actress Tracy Reiner. He and Michele married in 1989 and had three children together.
LA Mayor Karen Bass called the deaths a “devastating loss for our city and country,” paying tribute to the couple’s charitable work in childhood development and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
“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,” she said.
