Acclaimed director and actor Rob Reiner and his spouse, producer and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, have passed away in an apparent homicide, according to authorities and a family statement.

“With deep sadness, we share the tragic news of Michele and Rob Reiner’s passing. We are devastated by this abrupt loss and ask for privacy during this incredibly difficult time,” a family spokesperson said. Reiner was 78, and Singer Reiner was 68.

The Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments reported responding to a medical emergency at the Reiners’ home around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, where they found a deceased man and woman in their late 70s and late 60s—but did not initially confirm their identities. LAPD Captain Mike Bland described the deaths as “an apparent homicide.”

TMZ that the bodies had lacerations consistent with a knife.

LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said late Sunday that police are not seeking suspects right now, adding the investigation is still in its early stages. He noted officers are interviewing family members but not treating them as suspects. Hamilton also said investigators are seeking a search warrant to conduct a “full crime scene investigation on the interior and exterior of the residence and the surrounding neighborhood.”

Legendary filmmaker and passionate advocates

Reiner—the son of comedian and director Carl Reiner—is known for directing some of the most iconic films of the 1980s and 1990s, including his directorial debut This Is Spinal Tap (1984), Stand By Me (1986), The Princess Bride (1987), Misery (1990), The American President (1995), and When Harry Met Sally… (1989).

Reiner co-founded production company Castle Rock Entertainment in 1987, which produced several of his films as well as other critically acclaimed works like The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and the 1990s sitcom Seinfeld. Earlier in his career, he also took on memorable acting roles—including Michael “Meathead” Stivic in the 1970s sitcom All in the Family and supporting parts in films like Sleepless in Seattle (1993) and The Wolf of Wall Street (2013).

Reiner met Singer while filming When Harry Met Sally…—and their meeting inspired him to rewrite the film’s ending. An early script draft had protagonists Sally Albright and Harry Burns walking away from each other.

“At that time, I couldn’t figure out how I’d ever be with anyone, so I had them go in opposite directions at the end,” Reiner told in 2016. “Then I met the woman who became my wife during the movie’s production, and I changed the ending.”

Reiner and Singer married in 1989 and share three children.

The couple collaborated on several projects together, including the film Misery and the 2023 documentary Albert Brooks: Defending My Life. Singer Reiner photographed President Donald Trump for the cover of his 1987 book The Art of the Deal.

Reiner was previously married to director and actor Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981. He adopted Marshall’s daughter, Tracy Reiner, from her prior marriage.

The Reiners were also prominent Hollywood activists. They campaigned for marriage equality and helped found the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which fought against Proposition 8—a California measure banning same-sex marriage. They were also involved in other California ballot initiatives and fundraised for the Democratic Party. Reiner was a .

“I can honestly say the reason I’ve done so much in the political sphere is mostly because of her,” Reiner late-night host Stephen Colbert at the 2016 Montclair Film Festival. “She’s my Bunsen burner that lights the flame in my ass.”