Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday. The incident is being investigated as an apparent homicide, and their 32-year-old son, Nick, has been arrested and is in custody. Rob and Michele were 78 and 68 years old, respectively.
Rob was a legendary Hollywood director, producer, and actor, beloved for his movies such as This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally…, and A Few Good Men. Since his death was confirmed, Rob’s fans, friends, and Hollywood peers have been reflecting on his great contributions to cinema.
And while it’s hard to pick a favorite, Rob revealed just a few months ago that a particular one of his movies held a very special place in his heart.
In late September this year, Piers Morgan concluded an interview with Rob by asking him which project he would “most like to be remembered for” in the event of his death.
“I’m not expecting this to happen anytime soon, Rob, you’re looking like a fine, healthy figure of a man,” Piers said. “But should the moment come when we need to remember the work of Rob Reiner, which is the one for you, of everything that you’ve ever done, that you’d most like to be remembered for?”
In response, Rob compared it to trying to choose a favorite child. “People have their favorites, the cliche [is], we love all our children, even the bad ones,” he said, laughing, before giving his answer. “I always say, Stand By Me, to me, is the one that meant the most to me.”
Of course, Rob is referring to his classic 1986 movie, based on a Stephen King novella, which follows four young boys who set off on a journey to locate the body of a local teenager who was hit by a train. Stand By Me stars Will Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, and Kiefer Sutherland.
“I don’t know that it’s the best; it’s for other people to decide,” he continued. “But it’s the one that meant the most to me because it really is an extension of my personality and my sensibility. It has a mixture of humor and melancholy and emotion… It’s closest to me of all of them.”
After the tragic events that unfolded this weekend, the three-month-old clip is gaining traction online. Piers reposted it to X while mourning the filmmaker, calling it a “very poignant” moment to look back on.
The Los Angeles Fire Department was purportedly called to provide medical assistance at a home in Brentwood on Sunday afternoon, around 3.30 p.m. local time. A couple — later confirmed to be Rob and Michele — were found dead inside the house upon arrival, having reportedly both suffered “apparent stab wounds.” Nick, who is the middle of their three children, was arrested on Sunday and charged on Monday. According to the LASD Inmate Center records reported by the BBC, he is on bail for $4 million.
We’ll keep you posted with any updates.