Shock and Devastation From Public After Rob Reiner and Wife Michele Found Dead in Their Home

Hollywood and fans alike were stunned by the news that filmmaker and activist Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer, were found dead in their home on Sunday.

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Reiner, 78, and his wife, 68, were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Chadbourne Avenue on Sunday. Both reportedly had multiple stab wounds. Sources told PEOPLE that their son, Nick, is considered the primary suspect in the case.

With a career spanning seven decades, Reiner first gained fame as an actor in the hit sitcom All in the Family. He later found even greater success as a filmmaker, directing classics like This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, Misery, A Few Good Men and Stand by Me.

His prolific body of work earned him many admirers and friends in Hollywood, as well as generations of fans. The reaction on social media Sunday night was an outpouring of affection for Reiner and his work, as well as shock over the brutal deaths of him and his wife.

Stephen King Leads Tributes to Rob Reiner and Michele Singer

Prolific author Stephen King, whose novella The Body (Stand By Me) and novel Misery were adapted for the big screen by Reiner and whose fictional setting inspired the name of Reiner’s production company, Castle Rock, was among many celebrities paying tribute to the filmmaker after his passing.

“I’m horrified and saddened by the death of Rob Reiner and Michele. Wonderful friend, political ally, and brilliant filmmaker (including 2 of mine). Rest in peace, Rob. You always stood by me,” King wrote on X.

shock-and-devastation-from-public-after-rob-reiner-and-wife-michele-found-dead-in-their-home — Rob Reiner speaks with Stephen King before the MLB game against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park in 2014. (Photo by Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)

John Cusack, who starred in Reiner’s film The Sure Thing and also appeared in Stand by Me, wrote on X, “Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner – a great man.”

Kathy Bates on Sudden Death of Rob Reiner: “Absolutely Devastated”

Kathy Bates, who starred in Reiner’s 1990 psychological horror Misery, also paid tribute, telling The Hollywood Reporter she is “absolutely devastated” by the news of his passing.

“I’m horrified hearing this terrible news. Absolutely devastated. I loved Rob. He was brilliant and kind, a man who made films of every genre to challenge himself as an artist. He also fought courageously for his political beliefs; He changed the course of my life,” she told THR.

“Michele was a gifted photographer,” Bates added. “She shot my beautiful photos for the Misery campaign. My heart breaks for them both. My thoughts are with their family.”

Sean Astin, veteran actor and president of the Hollywood union SAG-AFTRA, also issued a statement about the passing of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer.

“Rob Reiner is one of the most significant figures in the history of film and television. The impact he made on American culture simply can’t be overstated,” Astin wrote in part, per THR. “We send love and warmth to Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s families, friends, and colleagues.

“On a personal note, so many of Mr. Reiner’s films and performances made me think, made me emotional. Especially, they made me laugh really hard. That’s how I will remember him,” The Lord of the Rings actor added.

Barack Obama and Other Major Poltical Figures Pay Tribute to Rob Reiner and Michele Singer

Political figures also mourned the loss of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer.

“Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele,” former President Barack Obama wrote on X. “Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen. But 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. Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose. They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired. We send our deepest condolences to all who loved them.”

“Jen and I are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner,” California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote in part on X. “Rob will be remembered for his remarkable filmography and for his extraordinary contribution to humanity.”

Meanwhile, fans also took to social media to mourn the loss of Reiner.

“What a gut punch it is to hear about Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele,” one fan wrote on X. “The man made the gold standard of damn near every genre he approached. Coming of age movies all try to measure up to Stand By Me, mockumentaries to Spinal Tap, rom-coms to When Harry Met Sally.”