Tributes Pour In Following Death of ‘Spinal Tap’ Director Rob Reiner

Tributes from across film, television and music continue to pour in following the death of Rob Reiner, the influential director, writer and actor best known for This Is Spinal Tap and a decades-spanning body of work.

Reiner, and his wife, Michele Singer, were found dead inside their Los Angeles home earlier this week. Authorities have confirmed that their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, was arrested in connection with the investigation, with police treating the case as a homicide.

“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner,” a family spokesman said in a statement. “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”

As news of Reiner’s death spread, collaborators and admirers across the entertainment industry shared messages honoring both his creative legacy and personal impact.

Beatles icon Paul McCartney shared a photo of himself with the filmmaker on the set of Spinal Tap II: The End Continues Monday (Dec. 15) on Instagram. “What a tragedy the death of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, is,” wrote McCartney, who guest starred in the 2025 Reiner-directed Spinal Tap sequel.

“It is so shocking in many ways but for me especially so, because over the last year I had been working with him,” he continued.

“He was such an upbeat, lovable man. Life can be so unfair and this tragedy proves it. His father, Carl Reiner, was a great humourist before him and Rob followed in his dad’s footsteps doing a terrific job making many great films. I will always have fond memories of Rob and the idea that he and his wife will no longer be in the world with us is heartbreaking.”

Meanwhile, Elijah Wood posted on X, “Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michelle (sic). So much love to their kids and family.”

Harry Shearer, who starred in and co-created This Is Spinal Tap, described Reiner as “a friend and collaborator through much of my life,” praising his humor, intelligence and generosity of spirit in a tribute shared on social media.

Director Paul Feig called Reiner “one of my heroes,” writing that he had been honored to count him as a friend. Actor Paul Walter Hauser credited Reiner’s work with shaping his own career, noting that A Few Good Men was “the reason I became an actor” and citing Reiner’s filmography as a lasting inspiration.

Reiner’s influence extended well beyond comedy. While This Is Spinal Tap remains one of the most influential music-related films of all time — widely credited with defining the modern mockumentary — his directorial work spanned genres, including The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally…, Misery and A Few Good Men.

His films collectively earned multiple Academy Award nominations and became cultural touchstones across generations.

Political figures also weighed in, including former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who described Reiner as “creative, funny, and beloved,” and paid tribute to Singer as his “indispensable partner” in both life and work.

Former President Barack Obama wrote, “Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. 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.”

Reiner is survived by his children Jake, Nick and Romy, as well as his adopted daughter Tracy Reiner, the daughter of his first wife, the late Penny Marshall.

Tracy told NBC News in a Dec. 14 statement on her father’s death, “I came from the greatest family ever. I don’t know what to say. I’m in shock.”

This article was first published by Billboard U.S.