Michelle Obama was due to see Rob Reiner and his wife the night they were killed
The former first lady paid tribute to the couple whom she described as the ‘most decent, courageous people you ever want to know’.
Former US first lady Michelle Obama has said she and her husband Barack Obama were meant to see Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer Michele Reiner, the night they were killed.
She paid tribute to the couple whom she described as the “most decent, courageous people you ever want to know” after they were found stabbed to death in their Los Angeles home on Sunday night.
Their son, Nick Reiner, 32, has since been arrested on suspicion of murder and held in custody on a bail of four million dollars (£2.9 million).
Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Ms Obama said: “We’ve known them for many, many years, and we were supposed to be seeing them that night
“Let me just say this, unlike some people, Rob and Michele Reiner are some of the most decent, courageous people you ever want to know.
“They are not deranged or crazed. What they have always been are passionate people in a time when there’s not a lot of courage going on.
“They were the kind of people who were ready to put their actions behind what they cared about, and they cared about their family, and they cared about this country, and they cared about fairness and equity, and that is the truth. I do know them.”
Her comments come after US President Donald Trump criticised the Reiners and alleged that their deaths were politically motivated.
In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump suggested Rob and Michele Reiner died “reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as Trump derangement syndrome.
“He was known to have driven people crazy by his raging obsession of President Donald J Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before.
“May Rob and Michele rest in peace!”
Rob Reiner was known for directing some of the most-loved films of the 1980s and 1990s, including the rom-com When Harry Met Sally, and the news of the couple’s deaths has shaken Hollywood with many paying their respects and sharing their disbelief online.
Among the tributes were those from director Francis Ford Coppola, TV host Jimmy Kimmel, singer Shania Twain and comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who said his sitcom Seinfeld “would never have happened without” Reiner, who produced the series.
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who played Reiner’s ex-wife in the hit comedy series New Girl, said: “I will always remember them as they lived. Passionate. Political. Surrounded by family and friends.
“This is an ungraspable tragedy and loss. Pray for strength for their children. The world is bereft without them.”
US actor Kevin Bacon, who starred in Reiner’s legal thriller A Few Good Men, appeared emotional in a video he shared on Instagram, praising the director for giving him the job.
He said: “The making of that movie was one of the best experiences that I’ve ever had on a set.
“It was a magical time. So I’m just sending love to everybody that knew him, because I know that everyone’s hurting today.”
Reiner’s other films included The Princess Bride (1987), Ghosts Of Mississippi (1996) The Story Of Us (1999), The Magic Of Belle Isle (2012) and LBJ (2016).
He also had acting credits, having made a name for himself playing Meathead in the 1970s TV show All In The Family, which aired between 1971-1979 in the US.
Actress and activist Jane Fonda said she was “reeling with grief” in a post on Instagram while Stephen King, whose books were adapted into Reiner’s films 1986’s Stand By Me and 1990’s Misery, said he was “horrified and saddened” by the death of Reiner and his wife Michele.
Elsewhere, Kathy Bates, who played nurse Annie in psychological horror thriller Misery, told NBC News: “I’m horrified hearing this terrible news. Absolutely devastated. I loved Rob.”
Reiner was also friends with veteran musician Sir Elton John, who featured in the sequel to his 1984 mockumentary film about Spinal Tap, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, released in September this year.
In a post on his Instagram story, Sir Elton, 78, said: “They were two of the most beautiful people I’d ever met and they deserved better.”
Alongside his work in film Reiner was also known for being a champion of liberal causes and was praised by former US presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton who each shared a post on X.
Mr Biden said: “Jill and I send our deepest condolences to everyone whose lives were touched by Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s extraordinary contributions.
“We take solace in knowing their work will live on for generations to come.”
Mr Obama added: “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.”
Mr Clinton also paid tribute to the couple on behalf of himself and his wife, former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and said: “They inspired and uplifted millions through their work in film and television. And they were good, generous people who made everyone who knew them better through their active citizenship in defence of inclusive democracy, setting an example of us all to follow.”
Former US speaker Nancy Pelosi praised Reiner’s activism including his work to overturn California’s Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that outlawed same-sex marriages.
Tributes also came from Monty Python star Eric Idle, US actor James Woods, Frozen star Josh Gad, Sixteen Candles’ John Cusack, and Zoolander star Ben Stiller, and The Lord Of The Rings actor Elijah Wood, who appeared in Reiner’s 1994 family film North.
Reiner’s father, comedian, director and actor Carl Reiner, who died in June 2020 aged 98, helped create The Dick Van Dyke Show and appeared in films including Ocean’s Eleven.
Most recently Reiner starred in season four of The Bear, but he was also in front of the camera for Sleepless In Seattle, The Wolf Of Wall Street and US sitcom New Girl.
Actress Ayo Edebiri, who plays Sydney Adamu in The Bear, said in a post on her Instagram story: “This man’s work changed my life and I don’t think that’s hyperbolic.”
Meanwhile, New Girl actress Zooey Deschanel said her heart was broken in a tribute on Instagram to Reiner, who played her father in the hit series, and to Michele Reiner.
