Billy Crystal, Larry David, Albert Brooks, and Martin Short and others released a joint statement in memory of their dear friends Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner, who were found stabbed to death at their home Sunday, with their son accused in the grisly slayings.
Director Barry Levinson, composer Marc Shaiman, producer Alan Zweibel and Ambassador James Costos also signed the statement, which was released Tuesday night to The Associated Press. The Reiners’ friends remembered Rob, 78, and 68-year-old Michele for sharing “a special force together — dynamic, unselfish and inspiring.”
“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 storyteller. There is no other director who has his range,” read the statement, signed by Crystal’s wife Janice, Brooks’ wife Kimberly, David’s wife Ashley Underwood, Shaiman’s husband Lou Mirabal, Levinson’s wife Diana, and Costos’ partner Michael Smith.
“From comedy to drama to ‘mockumentary’ to documentary he was always at the top of his game,” they continued. “He charmed audiences. They trusted him. They lined up to see his films. … To be in his hands as a filmmaker was a privilege but that is only part of his legacy. … Strong and determined, Michele and Rob Reiner devoted a great deal of their lives for the betterment of our fellow citizens. … We were their friends, and we will miss them forever.”
The Reiners’ daughter Romy, 27, found the director’s body at the couple’s Brentwood home Sunday. The younger sister to brothers Jake, 34, and 32-year-old Nick was later notified that her photographer mother had also been slain.
Romy reportedly phoned Crystal, her dad’s best friend of many years, just after calling authorities Sunday. David also went to the Reiner family’s home that night.
Nick was arrested later Sunday and held without bail. He was charged Tuesday with two counts first degree murder, for which he faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty.