Billy Crystal, Martin Short honor 'master story teller' Rob Reiner
- - Billy Crystal, Martin Short honor 'master story teller' Rob Reiner
Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY December 17, 2025 at 12:36 PM
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Billy Crystal, Larry David, Martin Short, and other Hollywood stars shared a heartfelt tribute to Rob and Michelle Reiner after the couple was found dead in their California home on Sunday, Dec. 14.
The couple's son, Nick Reiner, has been charged in the fatal stabbing of his parents, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman confirmed Tuesday, Dec. 16. The deaths of the Reiners have shocked the entertainment world and beyond, prompting tributes from Michael Douglas, Stephen King, Demi Moore, Paul McCartney and more.
In a statement to The , which Crystal's representative shared with USA TODAY on Dec. 16, more celebrities spoke as to why Rob Reiner was an extraordinary director, actor and person.
"Absorbing all he had learned from his father Carl and his mentor Norman Lear, Rob Reiner not only was a great comic actor, he became a master story teller," the statement reads. "There is no other director who has his range. From comedy to drama to ‘mockumentary’ to documentary he was always at the top of his game. He charmed audiences. They trusted him. They lined up to see his films."
Rob Reiner, left, and Billy Crystal attend the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles.
The statement was signed by Short, Billy and Janice Crystal, Albert and Kimberly Brooks, Larry David and Ashley Underwood, Alan and Robin Zweibel, Marc Shaiman and Lou Mirabal, Barry and Diana Levinson as well as James Costos and Michael Smith.
"His comedic touch was beyond compare, his love of getting the music of the dialogue just right, and his sharpening of the edge of a drama was simply elegant. For the actors, he loved them. For the writers he made them better. His greatest gift was freedom. If you had an idea, he listened, he brought you into the process. They always felt they were working as a team. To be in his hands as a film maker was a privilege but that is only part of his legacy," the statement reads.
Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were killed Dec. 14.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were killed Dec. 14.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YDHmlQh5m_yjYdxWl6KWNQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8dd98d793b925c4b2650d5967da00369 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were killed Dec. 14.
">Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were killed Dec. 14.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YDHmlQh5m_yjYdxWl6KWNQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8dd98d793b925c4b2650d5967da00369 class=caas-img>Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/U3Ye9f1r_f2LW.1GmX_DQQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjU2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b2e53cb5acf98c74c750d0175a299e70 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood.
">Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/U3Ye9f1r_f2LW.1GmX_DQQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjU2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b2e53cb5acf98c74c750d0175a299e70 class=caas-img>Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/u9F1CV9MIz3.PU39Y2xTaw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODA2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3173d2ab6e96c4725d6c2c605ff9dc06 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas.
">Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/u9F1CV9MIz3.PU39Y2xTaw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODA2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3173d2ab6e96c4725d6c2c605ff9dc06 class=caas-img>Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A..
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6UjUKoeUJZOxKsn6eWnjmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzA5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cbe08129f0fbdebfd7b9e070df8921b4 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A..
">Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A..
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6UjUKoeUJZOxKsn6eWnjmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzA5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cbe08129f0fbdebfd7b9e070df8921b4 class=caas-img>
Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/35Xr05pN18PokNnjx_CTVQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/345e40b086a686df1dc3367249e8ec4c class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005.
">Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/35Xr05pN18PokNnjx_CTVQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/345e40b086a686df1dc3367249e8ec4c class=caas-img>Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/SY32lULpXWLH3ehAwhx43Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/62ee04a3d844adaf4c222c4e04537fe0 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles.
">Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/SY32lULpXWLH3ehAwhx43Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/62ee04a3d844adaf4c222c4e04537fe0 class=caas-img>Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer Reiner and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/s.h5kro5vq1bTvKLUQvtwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2c08b2f64fe1ddda9342788bb8e8ab87 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer Reiner and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
">Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer Reiner and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/s.h5kro5vq1bTvKLUQvtwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2c08b2f64fe1ddda9342788bb8e8ab87 class=caas-img>
Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G_NmjSQkPS19p9n12_yLaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzM2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7762e68d6ca090a14dc617ed1bb3aba class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A.
">Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G_NmjSQkPS19p9n12_yLaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzM2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7762e68d6ca090a14dc617ed1bb3aba class=caas-img>Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0fYwBrY36fYaOZUdVo.iwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f08197fdd1474cfd25b6da2bf3b0a1c class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A.
">Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0fYwBrY36fYaOZUdVo.iwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f08197fdd1474cfd25b6da2bf3b0a1c class=caas-img>Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VQiHiLNJ.BBtg2fAx7N6aA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f28db606b3e207679f84f9983fcc83d class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.
">Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VQiHiLNJ.BBtg2fAx7N6aA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f28db606b3e207679f84f9983fcc83d class=caas-img>Rob, Michele and daughter Romy at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OO6_Z54ACdIvNr5tTorbTg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b7a6b41c7a09c971795ffdf60f5f170c class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob, Michele and daughter Romy at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland.
">Rob, Michele and daughter Romy at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OO6_Z54ACdIvNr5tTorbTg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b7a6b41c7a09c971795ffdf60f5f170c class=caas-img>Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zgrDP_ttW5RFQKesbCutlQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/91f165bd34760c3418fec3032d731d8b class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A.
">Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zgrDP_ttW5RFQKesbCutlQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/91f165bd34760c3418fec3032d731d8b class=caas-img>Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BtTaGEP0Ciec2Bt900di7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e5bacb6f4b9fe61034c80cd87b76e41d class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City.
">Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BtTaGEP0Ciec2Bt900di7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e5bacb6f4b9fe61034c80cd87b76e41d class=caas-img>
1 / 16See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family
Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were killed Dec. 14.
The statement continued: "Rob was also a passionate, brave citizen, who not only cared for this country he loved, he did everything he could to make it better and with his loving wife Michele, he had the perfect partner. Strong and determined, Michele and Rob Reiner devoted a great deal of their lives for the betterment of our fellow citizen. They were a special force together-dynamic, unselfish and inspiring. We were their friends, and we will miss them forever."
"There is a line from one of Rob’s favorite films, 'It’s a Wonderful Life,' 'Each man’s life touches so many other lives, and when he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?' You have no idea."
Other stars who have recently paid their respects to the Reiners include Christopher Guest, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson, Zooey Deschanel, John Cusack, and Tom Hanks' wife, Rita Wilson.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Billy Crystal, Martin Short, Larry David, more stars honor Rob Reiner
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
