Hollywood is in shock. The tragic news that Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele, 68, were found dead in their Los Angeles-area home has left the industry reeling. With their son, Nick Reiner, charged with two counts of first-degree murder, the story has added layers of horror to an already devastating loss. Amid the heartbreak, tributes from friends and colleagues have poured in, none more raw and personal than Kevin Bacon’s emotional video remembering the director who gave him one of his most meaningful career moments.
Bacon took to Instagram on Monday to share a raw and vulnerable video. Clearly affected, he reflected on Reiner’s impact on his life. “Rob Reiner gave me a job in A Few Good Men sometime in the ’90s, I guess it was. And I was over the moon to get that job… because people may or may not know, but This Is Spinal Tap is my all-time favorite movie,” he said with a smile.
“When he called me, I was just so thrilled,” he said. “The making of that movie was one of the best experiences that I’ve ever had on a set.”
Bacon gushed about the late director, sharing insight into what he was like on set. “He was so fun, you know, and it really comes down from the top. You can set a tone where people feel like we are working hard but also working hard in a safe, pleasant, and fun situation,” he explained, fighting back tears.
A Few Good Men was a massive hit with critics and audiences. The courtroom drama scored four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Jack Nicholson for Best Supporting Actor, and racked up five Golden Globe nods for Best Picture, Director, and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. It also won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Movie and an ASCAP Award for Top Box Office, cementing its status as both a critical and commercial triumph.
The Footloose star recalled daily lunches with Reiner. His wife, Michele, would also be there, “and the two of them were so great together,” he remembered.
He also remembers his wife, Kyra, who was pregnant at the time, bringing their son Travis, and described the entire period as “magical.”
“So I’m just sending love to everybody that knew him because I know that everyone’s hurting today,” he concluded.
As tributes to Rob and his wife make their rounds, it gives a bittersweet look into the life of the man known for his work, ranging from This Is Spinal Tap to Stand By Me and A Few Good Men. Rob’s work shaped Hollywood in ways both big and intimate.
Update on Nick Reiner
Authorities in Los Angeles have charged Nick, 32, with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his parents. Prosecutors are seeking potential sentencing enhancements, including multiple murders and the use of a deadly weapon.
Nick was booked on murder charges on Monday morning around 5 am, and before the end of the day, the LAPD released a statement. “As a result of the initial investigation, it was determined that the Reiners were the victims of homicide," they said, according to multiple outlets. "The investigation further revealed that Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of Robert and Michele Reiner, was responsible for their deaths.”