Rob Reiner, the acclaimed actor, director and producer whose work helped shape American television and film for decades, died at 78, according to reports from Variety and TMZ. His death, along with that of his wife, Michele Singer, 68, is under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department after the couple was found in their Brentwood home.
Born March 6, 1947, in the Bronx, New York, Reiner grew up immersed in entertainment. His father was comedy legend Carl Reiner, and his mother, Estelle Reiner, was an actress. He rose to prominence as Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the groundbreaking sitcom All in the Family, earning two Emmy Awards for his role as Archie Bunker’s liberal son-in-law.
While Reiner accumulated numerous acting credits, his most lasting influence came behind the camera. He directed a series of widely beloved and influential films, including This Is Spinal Tap, Stand by Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally …, Misery and A Few Good Men.
In When Harry Met Sally …, Reiner famously cast his mother in the now-iconic deli scene in which Meg Ryan’s character fakes an orgasm. Reiner later recalled coaching Ryan through the moment by acting it out himself in front of Billy Crystal — and, unknowingly at first, his mother. Estelle Reiner’s improvised line, “I’ll have what she’s having,” became one of the most quoted lines in film history.
Reiner’s mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap became a cultural touchstone and was later inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry. He said financial disputes over the original film were the driving force behind the sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, explaining in a 2025 interview with USA TODAY that the creators earned almost nothing from the original release due to complicated rights issues.
Beyond filmmaking, Reiner was a prominent progressive voice in Hollywood. He supported causes including marriage equality and gun control, and he was a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump. In 2006, he was briefly mentioned as a potential candidate for governor of California but chose not to run.
Reiner was married to actress and director Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981 and adopted her daughter, Tracy Marshall, who later became an actress. In 1989, he married Michele Singer, a photographer. The couple had three children: Nick, Jake and Romy.
Reiner often credited Singer with inspiring the optimistic ending of When Harry Met Sally …, which he was filming when they met.
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