The entertainment world remains in a state of shock following the brutal deaths of Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner. In a poignant gesture, Saturday Night Live has honoured the late actor and director, who hosted the show nearly five decades ago.
A Heartbreaking Crime Scene
The couple, aged 78 and 70 respectively, were discovered stabbed to death in their Brentwood, California home last weekend. The grim discovery was made after their daughter, Romy Reiner, entered the property. She had been alerted by a massage therapist who was unable to gain access. After finding her father's body, Romy fled the residence and was later informed by paramedics that her mother had also been killed inside.
Officials have charged the couple's son, Nick Reiner, in connection with the killings. He faces two counts of first-degree murder and a potential life sentence if convicted.
Saturday Night Live's Moving Tribute
On December 20th, Saturday Night Live remembered its former host. Before the episode's goodnight segment, the show displayed a title card featuring a photograph of Reiner. The programme also shared the image on social media with the caption: 'Rob Reiner 💔.'
Reiner's connection to the legendary sketch show runs deep. He hosted the third episode of Saturday Night Live back in 1975, appearing in a sketch entitled 'Bees' Dramatic Scene.' More recently, in February 2025, Rob and Michele showed their support for the programme by attending SNL's 50th-anniversary homecoming concert.
A Family and Industry in Mourning
The horrific incident has prompted an outpouring of grief from the couple's other children and the wider Hollywood community. Siblings Romy, 27, and Jake, 34, released a heart-wrenching statement describing their 'unimaginable pain.'
'They weren't just our parents; they were our best friends,' the statement read. The pair asked for privacy and urged the public to treat speculation with 'compassion and humanity,' hoping their parents would be remembered for 'the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave.'
Close friend and collaborator Billy Crystal led tributes from industry peers, joining others like Larry David and Martin Short in praising Reiner as 'a great comic actor' and 'a master storyteller.' The joint statement also paid homage to his 36-year marriage to his 'perfect partner,' Michele, a celebrated photographer.
