Troubling Reports About Rob Reiner's Son Nick Have Come To Light

The following includes references to substance use.

Director Rob Reiner's son, Nick Reiner, who has been arrested on murder charges related to the deaths of Rob and his wife, Michele Reiner, has a history of troubling behavior. On December 14, TMZ reported the deaths of Rob and Michele, who had been married for nearly four decades. The couple first crossed paths when Rob was directing the beloved rom-com "When Harry Met Sally." They were found dead with knife wounds at their L.A. estate in the middle of the day. In the initial reporting of Rob and Michele's tragic deaths, there was no mention of a possible culprit, but it was soon revealed that their son Nick was in custody.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, police took Nick into custody without bail on December 15, after suspicion was raised about his involvement in his parents' tragic murders. Reports about his troubling past have since come to light. Alanna Zabel, who taught yoga to the Reiner family for a decade, spoke with Page Six, detailing Nick's unruly behavior as a teenager. After he started interrupting the family's sessions, Rob and Michelle scheduled private lessons for Nick, who had "behavioral issues," in an effort to center him emotionally. "And so I would always focus on the physicality: 'Let me teach him how to do a handstand, let me teach him how to do crow so he can feel this sense of accomplishment in his body,'" she said. But he was "inexhaustible," according to Zabel, who eventually penned a children's book based on Nick's behavior, supposedly with his parents' permission.

However, Nick's chaotic behavior extended well past his teen years.

Nick Reiner has a history of substance use issues. According to the Daily Mail, Nick's encounters with substances started as a teenager, with his first rehab stay taking place at the tender age of 15. However, his first visit was only one of over a dozen rehab stays he experienced over his life. Nick's recurrent rehab stays eventually inspired "Being Charlie," the 2016 movie that he co-produced with his father, Rob Reiner, before he became yet another celeb to die in 2025. While speaking with NPR, Nick talked about his aversion to rehab and why he didn't always feel like it was beneficial due to a patient's ability to "lie their way" through the program. Co-signing Nick's perspective, Rob opened up about a story his son had shared with him. "Nick was telling me the other day that the programs he was in, that he knew of at least 30 people who had been through it and wound up dead."

At the time of the interview, Nick revealed that, though he'd done many of the troubling things the character inspired by his life had done, he hadn't "done that in quite some time." However, it's clear that whatever internal demons Nick was facing managed to creep back into his life over the years. TMZ reported that he recently drew unwanted attention to himself while attending a holiday party hosted by former late-night host Conan O'Brien. Amid a sea of folks wearing their best festive wear, Nick reportedly dressed way down, showing up in a hoodie. He also refrained from mingling with many of his fellow partygoers — except his father, Rob, whom he reportedly had a verbal altercation with.

Nick's first court appearance is set to take place on December 16.

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).