Celebrities React To The Tragic Death Of Famed Director Rob Reiner

Rob Reiner, director of "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally," and the Oscar-nominated "A Few Good Men," has been tragically killed alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, in what the LAPD described as "an apparent homicide," Variety reported. Their sudden deaths have devastated friends in both the showbiz and political arenas, and many of their loved ones have voiced their grief.

Taking to Instagram, "Frozen" star Josh Gad issued a heartbreaking statement. "He was one of the greatest directors of our time. He was a friend. He was simply a beautiful person. Rob Reiner and his wife [Michele] were two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine. He cared so much for those who had no voices ... I cannot express how much this hurts," he wrote. Singer Josh Groban, who had worked with the couple on the forthcoming "Spinal Tap at Stonehenge: The Final Finale," also penned a touching tribute via Instagram. Describing himself as "a lifelong fan," the singer gushed that he'd been nervous going into their first meeting, but that the director and his wife had gone out of their way to make him feel at home. "He and Michele made me feel like family and gave me an incredible opportunity to fulfill a dream ... I'm stunned and deeply saddened and sending my love to their family," he wrote. 

The late director's kindness appeared to extend even to those he did not know well. Ben Stiller shared on X, formerly Twitter, that while he didn't know Rob well, "He was a kind caring person who was really really funny." Stiller also applauded him for becoming a star in his own right as the son of the late great Carl Reiner, and gushed that he was heartbroken for his and Michele's loved ones. 

In addition to being a widely revered director (and before that, actor), Rob Reiner was also a regular donor to the Democratic Party. In light of that, a number of political figures shared tributes in his and Michele Singer Reiner's honor. 

Notably, Barack Obama issued a statement on behalf of both him and Michelle Obama to X. "Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele ... 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," the former president wrote. Kamala Harris also shared a tribute from both her and Doug Emhoff to X, lauding the stories he brought to the screen, and gushing over his and Michele's dedication to their beliefs. She also added a more personal note, writing, "Rob and Michele loved each other very much. They were dear friends, and Doug and I are devastated to learn of their passing." Gavin Newsom also shared a touching statement on Rob and Michele's deaths on X, referring to the director as a "big-hearted genius." "Rob will be remembered for his remarkable filmography and for his extraordinary contribution to humanity," the California governor wrote. 

Rob and Michele were married for nearly four decades, having wed in 1989. We are sending love to their family as they process their unimaginable loss.