Colleagues, friends, fans across Hollywood were aghast tonight over the sudden death of Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle Reiner, who were found in their Brentwood, CA home earlier today.
Of the actors, were alums of Reiner’s canon, who shared their sympathies were Elijah Wood, who starred in Reiner’s 1994 family movie is “horrified” while Virgina Madsen who starred in the filmmaker’s 1996 drama Ghosts of Mississippi posted, “Thank you Rob for giving us so much joy to hold on to. Life and talent always turned up to 11. z”
John Cusack, who starred in Reiner’s The Sure Thing, posted, “Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner – a great man.”
The Norman Lear Family issued the following: “The Lear Family is devastated by the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner. Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world. Norman would have wanted to remind us that Rob and Michele spent every breath trying to make this country a better place, and they pursued that through their art, their activism, their philanthropy, and their love for family and friends. Lyn Lear had remained very close with them and said, “The world is unmistakably darker tonight, and we are left bereft.”
Also sharing their condolences were a number of Reiner’s Democrat colleagues, i.e. Congresswoman and former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, who wrote, “Personally, Rob cared deeply about people and demonstrated that in his civic activities — whether by supporting the First 5 initiative or fighting against Prop 8 in California. Civically, he was a champion for the First Amendment and the creative rights of artists. And professionally, he was an iconic figure in film who made us laugh, cry and think with the movies he created.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass emphasized that Reiner’s death is “a devastating loss for our city and our country.”
Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom issued the following statement:
“Jen and I are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.
“Rob was the big-hearted genius behind so many of the classic stories we love, with projects as wide-ranging as ‘The Princess Bride’ to ‘A Few Good Men.’ His boundless empathy made his stories timeless, teaching generations how to see goodness and righteousness in others – and encouraging us to dream bigger.
“That empathy extended well beyond his films. Rob was a passionate advocate for children and for civil rights — from taking on Big Tobacco to fighting for marriage equality to serving as a powerful voice in early education. He made California a better place through his good works.
“Rob will be remembered for his remarkable filmography and for his extraordinary contribution to humanity.”
Bridesmaid and Housemaid filmmaker Paul Feig shared, “Rob was my true hero. A true visionary titan and a lovely lovely person. One never knows if it’s proper to post during something as tragic as this. But I just want the world to know what so many of us know in the industry. Rob was the best.”
Josh Gad, who stars in the upcoming Josh Greenbaum directed Spaceballs 2, said that Reiner “cared so much for those who had no voices. This loss is devastating.”
Primetime Emmy winner Paul Walter Hauser expressed, “A Few Good Men is THE reason I became an actor, and Rob’s filmography behind the camera is THE reason I wanted to direct and still do” and how he first met Reiner at UCB Los Angeles Theatre on Franklin Ave in 2010. Performing in an ASSCAT improv show in front of the A Few Good Men director, Hauser told himself, “Commit to this. Rob Reiner is watching”.
Black Phone franchise writer and producer C. Robert Cargill wrote,
