Rob Reiner's death elicits social media tributes honoring film legacy

Online tributes poured in across the internet Monday and social media following the news of filmmaker Rob Reiner’s death..

Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer, were found dead Sunday at their home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles in an apparent homicide. Investigators believe they suffered stab wounds, the Associated Press reported.

Reiner, who was 78, made legendary movies, including “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally …” and “This Is Spinal Tap.”

“Rob Reiner” has been trending Monday on the social media platform X, along with “The Princess Bride” and “Stand By Me.”

Letterboxd, the movie reviewing community platform, posted a photo collage of Reiner’s movies on its social accounts.

Rob Reiner (1947–2025) pic.twitter.com/zGC8sSMgis

— Letterboxd (@letterboxd) December 15, 2025

Big name creatives have been speaking out in the wake of the news — sharing their feelings.

“I’m horrified and saddened by the death of Rob Reiner and Michele,” author Stephen King posted on X. “Wonderful friend, political ally, and brilliant filmmaker.”

“What a huge loss,” actor Ben Stiller posted on social media. “Rob Reiner was one of my favorite directors. He made some of the most formative movies for my generation.”

“What a tragedy,” singer and songwriter Paul McCartney posted on Instagram. “He was such an upbeat, lovable man. Life can be so unfair and this tragedy proves it.”

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A post shared by Paul McCartney (@paulmccartney)

I’m horrified and saddened by the death of Rob Reiner and Michele. Wonderful friend, political ally, and brilliant filmmaker (including 2 of mine). Rest in peace, Rob. You always stood by me.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) December 15, 2025

In a world where fewer and fewer people concern themselves with the plight of others, the loss of Rob Reiner, who cared deeply about humanitarian causes, feels that much more devastating. RIP: 1947-1925.

[Selfie: July 2022, NYC] pic.twitter.com/SchMCFDAA9

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) December 15, 2025

What a huge loss.

Rob Reiner was one of my favorite directors. He made some of the most formative movies for my generation. He came out form behind a huge comedic shadow of the great Carl Reiner and being a tv actor to being a a great director who made an incredible run of…

— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) December 15, 2025

Rob Reiner was a lovely man. I spoke to him last night for over an hour. I always enjoyed his company. I met him at his Dad's in 1975. He was telling me about fiming at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future. This is so awful. I shall miss him. A clever, talented and…

— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) December 15, 2025

Rob Reiner será por siempre una de las leyendas más grandes del cine. Con una de las mejores filmografías de todas, Rob Reiner demostró un rango extenso al contar historias con una excelente comprensión de las relaciones humanas. Hasta pronto a uno de mis directores favoritos. pic.twitter.com/yOTKNdkvuP

— Sensei Sergio Muñoz Esquer (@ElSergioMunoz) December 15, 2025

Politicians and those politically involved uplifted Reiner’s activism side, with posts about their thoughts on his impact.

Jen and I are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.

Rob was the big-hearted genius behind so many of the classic stories we love, with projects as wide-ranging as The Princess Bride to A Few Good Men. His boundless empathy made his stories… pic.twitter.com/JEYeY7DYO6

— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) December 15, 2025

The news of a deadly assault on Rob and Michelle Reiner in their home is devastating. It’s hard to think of anyone more remarkable and excellent in every field and endeavor they pursued. Rob was creative, funny, and beloved. And in all of their endeavors, Michelle was his…

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 15, 2025

Rob Reiner:

"Silence in the face of authoritarianism is complicity. Speaking out is a patriotic act. Democracy doesn’t defend itself. It requires participation, vigilance, and courage from ordinary people." pic.twitter.com/vZwlK0goES

— Protect Kamala Harris ✊ (@DisavowTrump20) December 15, 2025

Rob Reiner (September 2025): “This used to be the place that welcomed immigrants. Now people are being thrown out of the country without due process? It’s nightmarish what’s happening in America. It’s as bad as anything could be in this country” pic.twitter.com/dTjWWMVEhc

— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) December 15, 2025

Rob Reiner's work has impacted generations of Americans. The characters, dialogue, and visuals he brought to life in film and television are woven throughout our culture. Rob loved our country, cared deeply about the future of our nation, and fought for America's democracy.

Rob…

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) December 15, 2025

Movie buffs have been speaking on Reiner’s legacy as well.

An anecdote I cherish is Mandy Patinkin once asked Rob Reiner what The Princess Bride was about. Reiner said it’s about a grandfather telling his grandson that the most important thing in in the world is love. I think that’s beautiful. pic.twitter.com/5fKQII0syc

— Alejandro Villarreal (@alamofilmguy) December 15, 2025

Rob Reiner’s five-film run from 1986 to 1992 is as impressive as they come.

Five unforgettable movies spanning five different genres is something not just any director can pull off.

Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/WdUBcs6fGd

— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) December 15, 2025

and to think we only got this beautiful scene because rob reiner met his future wife during when harry met sally’s production and fell so in love that he changed the ending so harry and sally could end up together too. rip rob reiner and his wife michele 🙁pic.twitter.com/uKlbHwjH02

— barb (@wilmontouch) December 15, 2025

think about this god-tier run all the time & how much rob reiner’s work made me love movies as much as i do today. having only one of these classics on your resume would secure your legacy for life & rob was churning ‘em out year after year. a titan of the industry in every sense https://t.co/KXmoniTwk5 pic.twitter.com/WAChBXalCd

— zoë rose bryant (@zoerosebryant) December 15, 2025

“I miss the adult comedy”
“I miss coming of age films”
“I miss the courtroom drama”
“I miss romantic comedies”
“I miss good Stephen King adaptations”

Chances are, when you say something like that, you’re thinking about a Rob Reiner film.

— Rolo Tony (@PoorOldRoloTony) December 15, 2025

I have no words, but I’m so tremendously grateful for what Rob Reiner’s vision brought to our world. ???? pic.twitter.com/pxBkjnhKFd

— Gissane Sophia (@GissaneSophia) December 15, 2025