Rob Reiner and Friend Tied for ‘Father-Son Relationship’ Before Murder

Rob Reinera friend of Dennis Maguire he talks about his heartache following the murder of his director and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner – and what they tied up with before the disaster.

“Rob and I had great conversations about father-son relationships. We both had rock dads in the industry that we idolized,” Maguire said. Business Insider Wednesday, December 17. “His father (actor, director and screenwriter Carl Reiner) had a great career, and my father (film executive, producer and assistant director Charles H. Maguire) worked on films like At the Waterfront again Patriot Gamesthe last one I worked with.”

“Rob loved Hollywood film and history, and as a third-generation guy in the industry myself, I also loved hearing old Hollywood stories, so I’d get Lauren Bacall to tell stories when she was on set,” Maguire recalls. “At one point in the middle of the story, Rob looked around and saw that the lights were on, and he asked me, ‘So, should we interrupt him?’ I said, ‘If you want, I want to hear the whole story, Rob.’ He goes, ‘Do we have time?’ And I said, ‘Rob, you own it. It’s your company. You’re shooting me.’”

Rob and Michele were found dead from stab wounds at their home in Brentwood, California, on Sunday, December 14. Their son Nick Reiner he was then arrested and charged with two counts of murder. He faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty if convicted, and his trial is set for January 7, 2026. (In addition to Nick, Rob and Michele share children Jake, 34, and Romy, 27. Rob also has a first wife Penny Marshalldaughter Tracy, 61, from a previous relationship.)

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Wednesday, September 17, that the cause of death for Rob and Michele was “multiple blunt force trauma,” and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Maguire remembered Rob as a “big, outgoing guy with a great personality” who was “funny” and “a very smart guy who could talk about anything.”

“I first worked with Rob as his first assistant for one week Stand by Me regrowth, and then another seven or eight months in 1990 onwards Sadness,” said Maguire, “Before his death, I had not seen him for many years. He and Michele had a house inside Malibu Colonyand sometimes I would see them go out and we would talk for a while.”

Maguire said the killing has left Rob’s associates, friends and loved ones devastated.

“My other friends and Misery have been texting, calling and emailing each other since we found out,” he said. “We all want to apologize. I couldn’t sleep the first night because my mind was racing – I’m sad. It’s a terrible, sad thing.”

Maguire also explained that Rob cared deeply about his cast and crew on each project. The filmmaker was always dedicated to ensuring that his colleagues spent time with their loved ones and did not have to work grueling hours on a regular basis.

“The film industry has bad, bad hours. In my job, I’ve worked 16, 18- even 22-hour days. I fell asleep driving home from work twice,” Maguire noted. “Rob made a point of shooting what we consider short days – 10 or 11 hour days – so he wouldn’t burn out the actors so people could go home to their families. It was civilized. Working in the film industry takes a toll on relationships. But Rob was married to Michele for over 35 years – which is rare in Hollywood. It’s almost unheard of.”