In the weeks since the death of Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle, NBC News has learned more about the mental state of Nick Reiner before prosecutors say he fatally stabbed his famous parents.

During the last 3 days of his life, an unexpected call was made by Rob Reiner.

It wasn’t just any call, rather a weighted one, urgent and tinged with fear in every word.

Friends and colleagues said it was unusual, the type of conversation that sticks to your mind long afterward.

Nobody knows exactly what was said, but people who spoke with him afterward described a change in his tone, something grave being on his mind.

The call now raises more questions than answers about those last hours.

Born into Hollywood royalty, Rob Reiner’s journey as a storyteller actually began long before he ever became a household name.

Born on March 6th, 1947 in the Bronx in New York, Rob came from a family of show business professionals.

His dad, Carl Reiner, was a comedy icon in his own right famous for creating the popular TV show The Dick Van Djk Show, while his mom, Estelle Reiner, was an actress as well as a jazz singer.

Rob has said in interviews that he felt like he was born with comedy in his veins.

As he was raised surrounded by laughter, rehearsals, and script analyses from such a young age, that he even joked about changing his name to Carl because he wanted to be more like his dad.

He was acting in stock theater during the summertime, even when he was a kid.

And after high school, he even directed a play when he was only 19 years old.

all portents, one might say, of the cinematic eye that would one day helm so many movies.

Reiner briefly attended UCLA, where he was a founding member of an improv troop until he dropped out, choosing instead to pursue a full-time performance career.

Soon, he was appearing in a succession of TV shows from Hey Landlord to The Andy Griffith Show in the late 1960s.

Although Reiner was a relatively unknown director at the time, 1971 brought him the role of a lifetime as Michael Meathead Steic on the hit sitcom All in the Family.

His character on the series was the young educated son-in-law of the main character Archie Bunker, a rough conservative father played by actor Carol Oconor.

The clash of Archie’s traditional ideas and those of the progressive meathead was the driving force behind the popularity of this highly popular 1970s sitcom.

Not only was it funny, but it was powerful.

He won two Emmys for it and became known throughout America as the kid who dared to stand up for change in a world torn apart by issues such as civil rights, war, and intergenerational conflict.

It wasn’t just a smart role to take.

It was the role that kickstarted his whole career.

After so many years of work in television, Reiner decided to make the big leap into movies as a director.

His magnum opus as a director came with the movie This is Spinal Tap in 1984, a parody documentary about a fictional rock band.

This movie was more than just something that would make audiences laugh.

It was the harbinger of change for comedy movies.

Next, Reiner demonstrated that he had the chops for everything from drama to wizard-filled escapades.

In 1986, Reiner released Stand by Me, which is a profound coming of age drama that holds immense importance for the four young protagonists on this transformative quest.

This was followed by the release of The Princess Bride in 1987, which is a legendary romantic comedy, as well as the iconic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally in 1989.

These films were not only blockbusters, but are now ingrained in American culture.

Quotes and scenes are remembered and cherished by several generations of movie goers.

What made Reiner unique was not only his ability, but his passion that went into each project by incorporating humor, adventure, or even romance.

Reiner did not just limit himself to directing, but went on to establish more ventures in the film industry.

In 1987, he co-founded Castle Rock Entertainment, which would go on to produce the most beloved films and series in the history of America.

Some of the most legendary works include the creation of Seinfeld and the Shaw Shank Redemption to name but a few.

Offscreen, Reiner was also quite busy.

He used his popularity and voice for social causes ranging from early childhood education projects to fighting for LGBTQ plus rights and marriage equality.

Reiner believed that storytelling had the power to alter hearts, but he also felt that taking action had the power to alter laws, marriage, and children.

One of the most important periods in the life of Rob Reiner began on the set of his romantic comedy when Harry met Sally in the late 1980s.

There he met his future girlfriend, Michelle Singer, an accomplished photographer.

The bond was instant and strong.

So much so that this relationship alone influenced Reiner to alter the ending of his movie When Harry met Sally from a cynical conclusion to a hopeful one, reflecting his true emotions.

The two got married in 1989, and this marked the beginning of an association that would span over three decades.

The two not only managed to create a family, but a life anchored in love, art, and principles.

Michelle not only belonged to Rob as his wife, but she also collaborated with him in different capacities, such as being an executive producer in some of his films.

Rob and Michelle started their family with three children.

Jake was born in 1991, Nick in 1993, and Romy in 1997.

Los Angeles was home to a warm and tight-knit family with the pair making every effort to strike a balance between their glamorous entertainment industry lifestyle and meaningful family connections.

Their children would come to be raised in an environment rich in art stories and most importantly the presence of parents who were passionately interested in the wider world.

Their eldest, Jake, also pursued a career in the entertainment industry, finding his niche within it.

He appeared in such TV shows as Curb Your Enthusiasm as well as Behind the Camera.

Apparently, he had an ordinary loving relationship with his parents based on mutual respect and interests.

However, the family was also struggling, particularly with their middle child, Nick.

Romy, their daughter, was known for being creative as well as having an independent character.

As she matured, she was the anchor of the family as she held strong ties with both siblings as well as parents.

Amidst the highs and the lows, the Rhiners are a family that is centered around and characterized by the spirit of love and resilience.

Rob and Michelle navigated the experience of parenting with authenticity, confronting the challenges, and celebrating the small wins.

It’s a family that may experience the best and the worst that life offers with all the dollar signs and all the publicity that goes along with those.

And amidst all that, what ultimately takes first place and final position are the values of unconditional, sacrificial, and ultimately transformative love.

Rob and Nick Reiner’s journey through addiction.

One of the most charged aspects of Rob Reiner’s life has been his relationship with his son Nick, which has been both loving but incredibly complicated.

Indeed, while his father has been living his dream in Hollywood, Gunning for awards is one of the most respected film directors of all time.

The son’s life has taken a dramatically different trajectory.

one that has been defined by both hard times, including times of being homeless, and by serious battles with mental illness that have lasted for several decades.

Indeed, the son began taking drugs when he was just a teenager and spent the next several years going in and out of numerous rehabilitations.

Because their family was in the public eye, Nick and Rob’s personal struggles became something they sometimes spoke about openly.

Rob in particular was candid about how difficult it was to be both a father and someone trying to help a child through addiction.

A fight that doesn’t end when rehab ends or when sobriety seems to stick.

In interviews, he explained that addiction doesn’t simply disappear.

It resurfaces in unexpected ways, and parents often feel like they’re watching a child walk a tight rope with no safety net.

In 2015, Rob and Nick wanted to use their shared experience as a catalyst for something special and meaningful to them, a film that would be called Being Charlie.

Instead of showing the world what happened to their brother, they wanted to write a story that took place around the problem that Nick had struggled to overcome in his own life.

Being Charlie is based on a young man named Charlie who battles addiction and relapses from rehab several times.

The thing that makes being Charlie so unique is that it was actually co-written by Nick who brought his own voice to the table as a co-writer with Matt Ellis Aon.

The movie was directed by Rob who brought this vision which was more than just a story of a drug problem as it shows how addiction affects a family.

Rob has once said that making Being Charlie was one of the most personal and gratifying experiences for him throughout his entire career as a filmmaker.

He never hesitated to admit that in making Being Charlie, he and Nick had to go back to some of the toughest experiences they had faced in their lives, lives full of fear, guilt, and tears.

Rob even revealed that in making Being Charlie, at times he felt as if he was learning how to be Nick’s dad all over again because what they had to do was talk about some issues that they had never faced before.

Nick added that using his struggles in his life and placing them in his character also allowed him to understand what had happened in his life.

He hopes that the film reveals just how strong the grip of addiction can be, even when the addict is the fortunate recipient of all the things that people want in life, loving parents and money.

Both father and son had strong messages on the red carpet about how being Charlie is much more than art for art’s sake.

It was not the easy solutions that audiences and critics responded to, but rather that no family is ever safe from pain, no matter how much they are loved and successful.

That being Charlie emerged as an act of courage in the world of story, a type of love letter from Rob to his brother Nick, and an acknowledgment of the power of films to heal when they can’t necessarily fix.

Ultimately, the story of Nick and his addiction and the making of Being Charlie proved that the world could see just how complicated love can be, even when it is lurking in the shadows of pain and recovery.

In this journey that was not only artistic, but also personal, Rob looked not only at his son and his addiction with drugs, but also explored his own feelings of parenting, of regret, and of the ways that families must save each other.

The Christmas Incident.

Just hours before the world learned that Rob Reiner and his wife, actress Michelle Singer Reiner, had been found dead in their Los Angeles home, this disturbing scene was unfolding at a holiday party that is now seen as possibly being among the final public acts of the beloved film director.

Saturday night, December 13, 2025, and Conan O’Brien, the TV funny man, is throwing his Christmas party, an annual event that is always chock full of his friends from Hollywood.

They brought along their son, Nick Reiner, 32 years old at the time, whom they’d been taking care of, and who had been struggling with addiction and mental health issues for several years while living with them.

According to eyewitness accounts, everything did not go as smoothly as a party usually does.

People at the party reported Nick acting strangely, as if he were nervous and didn’t belong there.

One of the guests reported him approaching strangers to ask weird questions like, “Are you famous?” Soon after, things escalated to the point that arguments started to appear between the father and son.

Reports indicate that Rob and his brother Nick were involved in what sounded like a very loud argument that did not go unnoticed by the guests.

It was said that the argument could be heard all over the room.

A few people present at the scene have told the media that they felt uncomfortable with Nick’s actions, leading to the decision of Rob and Michelle to leave the party prematurely.

According to one account, Rob was caught pleading for his son to calm down as his wife Michelle looked embarrassed and distressed.

The family had left the gathering by the end of the night, and this marked an event in retrospect remembered by mutual friends as being among the last times they would see them alive.

It remains to be seen what the actual content of the argument was, and those who were there tend to give differing opinions.

It was suggested that the family concerns regarding Nick’s mental health and addiction problems may well have been a source for the tension, while others reported that Rob and Michelle had been trying to help their son for the past few years through rehabilitation processes.

One of the partygoers told the press that Nick’s erratic behavior made the guests worried and uncomfortable to the point where some of them advised the reigners at the party to get Nick help right then and there.

According to People magazine, in the wake of the shocking events that unfolded, the argument that took place at the Christmas party has become eerily symbolic.

More than just a disagreement within the family, it offered a glimpse into the tensions that had been building among the Rainers.

Less than 24 hours after the argument took place, the couple’s bodies would be discovered in their home with Nick being arrested for their murders.

The call that changed everything.

One of the most interesting facts about the last day of Rob Reiner’s life occurred not at a party or on a movie set, but on the telephone.

Toward the end of the last 72 hours of his life, Rob made a telephone call that would play an integral part in his last day of life story.

This one was with Eric Idol, the British actor and comedian who is of course known for his membership in the legendary comedy troop Monty Python.

Rob knew that Idol was not just an acquaintance, but rather a friend of over 50 years, going all the way back to his meeting with Rob in 1975.

In fact, according to a statement posted by Idol on social media, he had talked for well over an hour to Rob the evening before this terrible finding was made.

During this phone call, there was a discussion of plans Rob had for the future that would see him film in England along with other creative ideas he was keen to express.

He was seen by Idol as being happy and positive.

Idol later wrote that Rob was telling me about his experiences filming in front of the Stones at Stonehenge and his ideas about the future.

This alone shows the director was looking ahead and planning his next adventures even as his own drew to a close.

He spoke about Rob as a clever, talented, and very thoughtful man and was deeply saddened to hear about his death.

What is so chilling about this call is how normal it sounded to the point of seeming like just another casual catch-up call between two old friends when in fact it is so soon after such a terrible event.

There are no ominous warnings in The Voice about what is to come.

It is just two work friends chatting about work and plans for the future.

For many people, ranging from Hollywood insiders to regular viewers in different corners of the world, this conversation is now and will always be a chilling flashback of how abruptly and shockingly the events of December 14th, 2025 went down.

Rob and Idol had this conversation and only hours after this conversation took place, Rob and Michelle were found murdered in their house.

Eric Idol’s account is the final communication that had occurred between Rob and anyone outside of his immediate family.

And it is a portrait of a man who until the end had hopes, plans, and creative juices.

Which is why this particular phone call has come to be recognized not just as a part of the events that happened but rather as a symbol of the loss that was felt because of the tragically short life that Rob Reiner had.

The entire tragic incident.

December 14th, 2025 proved to be a glum day for the world when it received the shocking report that the world had lost two of its most revered individuals.

acclaimed Hollywood film director Rob Reiner along with his wife, actress Michelle Singer Reiner, both of whom had been found brutally stabbed to death in their Los Angeles Brentwood neighborhood mansion.

This shocking event took place in one of the most prestigious neighborhoods of LA when it had been the peak season for celebrations.

The bodies of both of them were found in the master bedroom of their house by their daughter, Romy Reiner, early that Sunday afternoon.

According to sources, Romy had been concerned after their massage therapist had been unable to contact them for their scheduled appointment in the afternoon.

In fact, she and her roommate had gone to their house only to see the heart-wrenching fact that both of them are dead, resulting from stab wounds in their bodies, a medical examiner later announced.

Emergency personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department arrived after Romy had called 911 around 3:38 p.

m.

And soon the situation was found to not be an accident or medical emergency, rather a double homicide.

Police officers from the robbery homicide division of the Los Angeles Police Department soon began their investigation into the case and the circumstances surrounding this violent death.

Only last night, the police apprehended Nick’s younger brother’s son, 32year-old Nick Reiner, close to the University of Southern California.

Nick was apprehended and detained that night alone for the murder of his parents.

Nick has been indicted for two counts of murder in the first degree for the murder of his parents.

It appears that he employed a knife during this process as well as another special factor due to the murder of two people.

This may punish this crime with death.

As for Nick, it is alleged that at the time he was living at home with his parents.

Regarding the police investigation, it also came to light that Nick had been experiencing problems with his mental health, including schizophrenia that he had been treated for, as well as addiction problems.

Reports have alleged that his mental health problems are also at the forefront of current court cases.

However, on December 16th, 2025, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office revealed that charges had been pressed against Nick for this heinous act.

According to them, this is one of the most difficult cases that they get to tackle, as it pertains to domestic violence as well as the loss of two dear lives.

After the tragedy, their remaining children, Jake and Romy Reiner, issued a statement saying they were very sad and wished to be given privacy during this time of mourning their parents.

Our parents were not only amazingly wonderful parents, they wrote.

They were also our best friends.

To say our world is broken is an understatement.

There is an enormous void that can never be filled.

Family friends from the entertainment industry also came out and honored their memory.

The world recalls Rob Reiner as a filmmaker for such iconic films as When Harry Met Sally and Stand by Me, as well as for his activism, humor, and generosity of spirit, says USA Today media correspondent Clare Galvan Riker.

Michelle Singer Reiner was appreciated as a gifted photographer and producer and as a compassionate partner both at work and in life.

The death of these two beloved individuals is certainly one of the most astounding pieces of Hollywood news in years.

Riker says the global response to the tragedy, the fact that director Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle passed away shocked not only the world but also the movie and political industries as a whole.

The world was shocked that such a beloved director and his wife could be murdered in their own household.

The reactions are flooding social media.

The outpouring of respect for Reiner began the minute news of his passing became public with many remembering his illustrious career and what he had contributed to society.

Actors such as Carrie Elwis, known for his stint in The Princess Bride, took to social media to pay their respect in terms of only posting no words in response to the news of his death.

Others, such as Jaime Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest, referred to the passing of the actors as violent and shocking.

In political circles, there were mixed but emotional reactions.

Former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton expressed sadness at the loss of what meant much to the world of films as well as to social causes.

Obama said he was heartbroken along with his wife and appreciated the goodness of people that Reiner believed in.

“The current political establishment also reacted with grief.

” It is a devastating loss for our city and our country, said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of Reiner’s passing, citing his extensive body of work and dedication to matters of social justice and childhood development.

The governor and his wife shared a similarly mournful sentiment.

Actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner made California and America a better place, declared Gavin Nuome, Governor of California.

However, the response was also marred by controversy.

US President Donald Trump posted comments following the sad event that shocked and offended many people with comments linking Reiner’s death to Trump derangement syndrome, a political jab and nothing else.

As the two events are unrelated and occurred for no apparent reason except for political gratification and recognition for Trump and Obama, respectively.

These statements received harsh comments from analysts and even from members of Trump’s own political party.

Late night TV hosts and comedians also reacted to this scene.

Seth Meyers, for instance, dedicated his episode to paying tribute to Reiner’s passing and decrying Trump’s reaction as insensitive, saying that this was a moment to lament a tragic loss of life, not to make it a debating issue.

Through social networks and other public forums, a recurring thought was voiced.

Regardless of your opinions about Reiner’s politics, nobody deserved to die this way.

Of the thousands who attended Reiner’s funeral, many recalled his films, including Standby Me, This is Spinal Tap, and others, and lamented the loss to the family.

On the other hand, at the same time, there were some online discussions that did tend to reflect the more general frustrations felt over political polarization and the manner in which tragic events were discussed as well as the manner in which social media platforms can amplify strong reactions.

Nevertheless, what was apparent in the course of all these discussions was the general observation about the tragedy and loss of two human lives as a creative force in the movie industry and as a loving partner in life.

The tragic deaths of Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer Reiner shocked the world and left a lasting mark on Hollywood, their family and fans everywhere.

From Rob’s incredible career as an actor and director to his dedication as a father and activist, he was a man whose life touched countless people in many ways.

Michelle, a talented photographer and devoted partner, shared that life alongside him was building a family filled with love, creativity, and support.

The events of December 14th, 2025 remind us how fragile life can be, even for those who seem larger than life.

The world mourned, celebrated their contributions, and reflected on the complexity of family, love, and loss.

While the tragedy leaves many questions and pain, it also highlights the enduring legacies of both Rob and Michelle in film activism and the hearts of those who knew and loved them.

Thank you for watching and getting into the story of Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer Reiner with us.

Their lives were full of creativity, love, and heartbreak.

A reminder of how fragile life can be, even for those we admire most.

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