Rob Reiner's death, his son and when tragedy, addiction tear families apart
- - Rob Reiner's death, his son and when tragedy, addiction tear families apart
Charles Trepany, USA TODAYDecember 16, 2025 at 9:25 AM
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A mother and father dead. A son arrested. A community in shock.
Hollywood is reeling from the deaths of comedy legend Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer, after the two were found dead in their Los Angeles home Sunday. Their son Nick has been arrested as a suspect in their deaths, according to police.
When faced with such horrific tragedy, mental health experts say, all kinds of feelings can arise. Shock. Grief. Anger. Numbness. An event of this magnitude and family tragedies in general often leave people struggling to make sense of what happened and figuring out how to chart a path forward.
"It changes everything," psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis says, describing the Reiner tragedy as "utter loss" on multiple levels.
Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer and son attend Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event at The Grove on August 9, 2013 in Los Angeles.
There's "the loss of who you thought this person was − the person that committed the act − and then also the loss of the victims and then the loss of the family unit," she adds. "You don't get closure from something like this."
Rob Reiner and when a family suffers the unimaginable
Everyone grieves differently. Everyone responds to tragedy and trauma differently. And people's reactions can be surprising.
Philip Lewis, a therapist who helps treat anxiety, anger and addiction, describes grief as like a fingerprint − we all do it in our own way and in our own time. That goes for the Reiners' family and loved ones. But it also goes for their fans around the world, those that grew up watching "All in the Family" or "When Harry Met Sally," and feel connected to the couple through their art.
More: Rob Reiner, his wife killed in apparent homicide
Tragedy, Sarkis says, is also something that can change your view of people − both of the individuals in your life, as well as of humanity in general.
Who's in Rob Reiner's family? What to know about parents, wife, children
The biggest question people often have in the wake of family tragedies, psychotherapist Marni Feuerman says, is, Why? It's not something that usually has a neat and tidy answer.
"People try to make sense of these unspeakable tragedies, but often can't," she says. "There's really no explanation."
More: See a list of Rob Reiner's most famous movies and TV shows
It's something people around the world are experiencing, not just amid the Reiner news, but also in the wake of two other horrific, deadly events over the weekend: mass shootings at Brown University and at a Hanukkah celebration at Australia's Bondi Beach.
"It's a lot for people to process at once," Sarkis says. "The unfairness of life is really hitting people, and that can be a really hard thing to have to live with."
The toll of addiction
Another looming question over the Reiner case is Nick Reiner's history of addiction and homelessness and how that might have factored into what happened Dec. 14.
Nick Reiner told People magazine in 2016 interview that he made his first visit to rehab at 15 and would return 17 times. He said he became homeless due to his refusal to return to rehab. His struggle with addiction became a point of artistic connection with his father, as the two co-wrote movie about it, called "Being Charlie."
More: What Rob Reiner, son Nick have said about their father-son relationship
"It's by far the most personal thing that I've ever done," Rob Reiner told AOL Build in a May 2016 interview. "But the fact that we were dealing with things that Nick had gone through and how I had related to it and how his mother had related to it, it forced me to have to see more clearly and understand more deeply what Nick had gone through."
Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YDHmlQh5m_yjYdxWl6KWNQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8dd98d793b925c4b2650d5967da00369 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
">Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YDHmlQh5m_yjYdxWl6KWNQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8dd98d793b925c4b2650d5967da00369 class=caas-img>Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/35Xr05pN18PokNnjx_CTVQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/345e40b086a686df1dc3367249e8ec4c class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005.
">Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/35Xr05pN18PokNnjx_CTVQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/345e40b086a686df1dc3367249e8ec4c class=caas-img>Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/s.h5kro5vq1bTvKLUQvtwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2c08b2f64fe1ddda9342788bb8e8ab87 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
">Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/s.h5kro5vq1bTvKLUQvtwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2c08b2f64fe1ddda9342788bb8e8ab87 class=caas-img>Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/SY32lULpXWLH3ehAwhx43Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/62ee04a3d844adaf4c222c4e04537fe0 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles.
">Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/SY32lULpXWLH3ehAwhx43Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/62ee04a3d844adaf4c222c4e04537fe0 class=caas-img>Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A..
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6UjUKoeUJZOxKsn6eWnjmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzA5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cbe08129f0fbdebfd7b9e070df8921b4 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A..
">Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A..
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6UjUKoeUJZOxKsn6eWnjmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzA5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cbe08129f0fbdebfd7b9e070df8921b4 class=caas-img>Rob and his son watch a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Lakers March 9, 2001, in L.A..
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1Wq2XtbxBBSVIyJIRqVs1A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzk0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d8ed708cda424db9d5240fbb87ce0012 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and his son watch a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Lakers March 9, 2001, in L.A..
">Rob and his son watch a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Lakers March 9, 2001, in L.A..
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1Wq2XtbxBBSVIyJIRqVs1A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzk0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d8ed708cda424db9d5240fbb87ce0012 class=caas-img>Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G_NmjSQkPS19p9n12_yLaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzM2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7762e68d6ca090a14dc617ed1bb3aba class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A.
">Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G_NmjSQkPS19p9n12_yLaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzM2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7762e68d6ca090a14dc617ed1bb3aba class=caas-img>Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0fYwBrY36fYaOZUdVo.iwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f08197fdd1474cfd25b6da2bf3b0a1c class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A.
">Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0fYwBrY36fYaOZUdVo.iwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f08197fdd1474cfd25b6da2bf3b0a1c class=caas-img>Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/U3Ye9f1r_f2LW.1GmX_DQQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjU2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b2e53cb5acf98c74c750d0175a299e70 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood.
">Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/U3Ye9f1r_f2LW.1GmX_DQQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjU2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b2e53cb5acf98c74c750d0175a299e70 class=caas-img>Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/u9F1CV9MIz3.PU39Y2xTaw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODA2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3173d2ab6e96c4725d6c2c605ff9dc06 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas.
">Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/u9F1CV9MIz3.PU39Y2xTaw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODA2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3173d2ab6e96c4725d6c2c605ff9dc06 class=caas-img>Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VQiHiLNJ.BBtg2fAx7N6aA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f28db606b3e207679f84f9983fcc83d class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.
">Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VQiHiLNJ.BBtg2fAx7N6aA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f28db606b3e207679f84f9983fcc83d class=caas-img>Rob and Michele Reiner and daughter Rony at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OO6_Z54ACdIvNr5tTorbTg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b7a6b41c7a09c971795ffdf60f5f170c class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and Michele Reiner and daughter Rony at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland.
">Rob and Michele Reiner and daughter Rony at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OO6_Z54ACdIvNr5tTorbTg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b7a6b41c7a09c971795ffdf60f5f170c class=caas-img>Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zgrDP_ttW5RFQKesbCutlQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/91f165bd34760c3418fec3032d731d8b class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A.
">Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zgrDP_ttW5RFQKesbCutlQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/91f165bd34760c3418fec3032d731d8b class=caas-img>Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BtTaGEP0Ciec2Bt900di7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e5bacb6f4b9fe61034c80cd87b76e41d class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City.
">Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BtTaGEP0Ciec2Bt900di7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e5bacb6f4b9fe61034c80cd87b76e41d class=caas-img>
1 / 14See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years
Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Psychologists say addiction and mental health can be fluid. They can take quick, sharp and unexpected turns. Sometimes, someone who seems to have made leaps and bounds can slip back suddenly. No one − not even celebrities − are exempt from this painful reality.
"Addiction can really tear families apart," Sarkis says. "Sometimes you can do whatever you can to help the person, and they still may not be helped. You can do everything 'the right way,' and addiction may still be very present."
More on addiction: She thought it was just another energy drink. It took half her bodyweight and sent her to rehab.
When there's nothing more that can be done to help someone, the end result can often be tragic.
"It very quickly evolves into an issue around the whole family system," Feuerman says of addiction. "We know that often tragedy is sort of the end result at times when the issues just cannot get resolved."
Contributing: Edward Segarra
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rob Reiner, his son Nick and the pain of addiction, family tragedies
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
