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Fans are revisiting Rob Reiner’s most famous interviews as they celebrate the life of the acclaimed filmmaker and actor. One of the most striking parts of Reiner’s legacy was his devotion to his wife, Michele Singer Reiner. An interview Rob gave to CBS News Sunday Morning in 2010 was especially beautiful and heartbreaking, given Rob and Michele’s murders on December 14, 2025.

Rob Reiner called himself ‘half-formed’ until he met Michele Singer Reiner

In 2010, Rob spoke with Russ Mitchell for CBS News Sunday Morning. While strolling around his Brentwood mansion, which he and Michele bought in 1991, he discussed his work and his family. Rob put it simply, that all of his movies have the “same” theme. “The girl in the story is always much more emotionally mature,” the Stand By Me director explained. “The boy is always running around like an idiot, trying to catch up.”

“That’s my story,” Rob continued. “Basically, my wife made me a person … You’re half-formed when you’re a guy. You meet the right woman, and she basically helps you grow up.” The This Is Spinal Tap director alluded to Michele, whom he met on the set of When Harry Met Sally… Meeting the accomplished photographer caused him to change the ending of the rom-com. It also resulted in their 1989 wedding — seven months after first meeting.

After Rob’s 10-year marriage and divorce to Penny Marshall of Laverne & Shirley fame, the director told Mitchell he was “making a complete and utter mess of my dating life, trying to figure all of these things out.” This inspired Harry Burns, who Rob said is “totally” and “100% me” — until he met Michele. The couple had sons, Jake in 1991 and Nick in 1993. Daughter Romy followed in 1997.

Meg Ryan, aka Sally Albright, may have described Rob and Michele’s legacy the best. She posted on Instagram, “Thank you, Rob and Michelle, for the way you believe in true love, in fairy tales, and in laughter. . . I have to believe that their story will not end with this impossible tragedy, that some good may come, some awareness raised… I don’t know, but my guess is that they would want that to be hopeful and humane, to be something that brings us all to a greater understanding of one another and to some peace.”

Nick Reiner has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder

On December 14, Rob and Michele’s daughter, Romy, found the couple’s bodies inside their longtime Brentwood home. The LAPD arrested Rob and Michele’s middle child, Nick Reiner, in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles that evening.

Represented by prominent defense attorney Alan Jackson, Nick appeared briefly in court after receiving medical clearance. He is being held without bail as he faces two counts of first-degree murder. These counts include a special circumstance of multiple murder and a special allegation of using a knife in the alleged crime. These charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. As of publication, Nick’s arraignment will take place on January 7, 2026.

In the days since Rob and Michele’s deaths, fans and collaborators have returned to Rob’s own words about love and partnership. His belief that meeting Michele completed him is a defining part of his legacy, not only as a filmmaker but as a husband and father. As the legal case surrounding their deaths continues, many choose to remember the Reiners through their enduring love story.

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