Live Updates: Hollywood Director Rob Reiner and His Wife Are Found Dead

Matt Stevens, Shawn Hubler, Nicole Sperling, and Jill Cowan

Reporting from Los Angeles

Dec. 15, 2025, 2:59 a.m. 

The Los Angeles Police Department said it was investigating an apparent homicide at the Reiners’ home. The couple’s family said they were “heartbroken by this sudden loss.”

Here’s the latest.

Tributes rolled in late Sunday for Rob Reiner — whose warm, empathetic work as a director and actor made him a titan of Hollywood — as investigators worked to determine what led to the deaths of Mr. Reiner and his wife, Michele.

The police said they were investigating “an apparent homicide” after the couple were found dead in their home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon. Their family confirmed the deaths through a spokesman.

Mr. Reiner, 78, was the son of a pioneering television comedian. He became a popular sitcom actor himself before directing a slate of beloved films including “This Is Spinal Tap,” “When Harry Met Sally …” and “The Princess Bride.” He went on to become a force in California and national Democratic politics, championing gay marriage and early childhood development programs.

Los Angeles Police Department officials said on Sunday that officers responded to a death investigation at the Reiners’ home at about 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, where they found two bodies. But police officials said on Sunday night that investigators were trying to get a search warrant for the home, and had not identified a suspect..

Late Sunday night, Brentwood was quiet and the streets were empty except for a cluster of police cars and news vans near the home where officers had found the bodies. The authorities had both ends of the block cordoned off with yellow police tape.

Here’s what else to know:

Democrats mourn: Democratic leaders including former President Barack Obama, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California and Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles said they were heartbroken by the loss of Mr. Reiner and his wife. Mr. Reiner will be remembered not only for his films and television but also “for his extraordinary contribution to humanity,” Mr. Newsom said.

Brentwood’s identity: The Brentwood neighborhood has long felt like more of a small town unto itself than a part of the sprawl of Los Angeles. Its natural beauty and luxurious amenities make the area popular among movie stars, politicians and executives.

Reiner’s work: As an actor and director, Mr. Reiner’s Hollywood career spanned decades, including an eight-year run on “All in the Family,” a 1970s sitcom. More recently, Mr. Reiner had cameos in television shows like “New Girl” and “The Bear.” The actor Sean Astin, speaking on behalf of SAG-AFTRA, called Mr. Reiner “one of the most significant figures in the history of film and television.”