Bill Hader ‘horrified’ as tense chat with Nick Reiner overshadows Rob and Michele's deaths

Bill Hader doesn’t want to be connected to this story and expressed his desire to stay out of the public focus.
PUBLISHED DEC 17, 2025
Actor and comedian Bill Hader was seen in Los Angeles days after a tense encounter with Nick Reiner, appearing strained during a phone call (Getty Images)
Actor and comedian Bill Hader was seen in Los Angeles days after a tense encounter with Nick Reiner, appearing strained during a phone call (Getty Images)

BRENTWOOD, LOS ANGELES: Actor and Comedian Bill Hader was seen for the first time on Tuesday, December 16 since his tense encounter with Nick Reiner on December 13 at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party.

Nick was arrested later that day and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.

The 47-year-old comedian appeared strained and tense while pacing during a phone call in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: Bill Hader attends the season 3 premiere of HBO's
Bill Hader attends the season 3 premiere of HBO's 'Barry' at Rolling Greens on April 18, 2022 in Culver City, California (David Livingston/Getty Images)

Bill Hader and Nick Reiner's tense encounter

A source told the Daily Mail that Hader 'is horrified' and 'extremely sad' over the death of Rob and his wife Michele and 'doesn’t want to be connected to this story,' expressing his deep sorrow and desire to stay out of the public focus.

Insiders also revealed that Hader is declining to speak publicly about his encounter with Nick.

An insider added, “Bill doesn’t want this tragedy to be made about him, and any disagreement he may have had with Nick, Bill is refusing to talk about it.”

Director Rob Reiner & Son Nick Visit AOL Build
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 04: Rob Reiner and Nick Reiner attend AOL Build Speaker Series at AOL Studios In New York on May 4, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic)
Rob Reiner and Nick Reiner attend AOL Build Speaker Series at AOL Studios In New York on May 4, 2016 in New York City (Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic)

The source further detailed that hours before the murders, Nick allegedly 'stormed off' from the holiday party following a tense interaction with Hader.

“Bill, like everyone who saw Rob and Michele at the party, is horrified over what happened and is extremely sad that what went down, actually went down,” it said. 

"With total respect for Rob and Michele and their family, Bill is not going to talk about his interaction with Nick publicly" it added further.

Source also said Hader 'doesn't want to be connected to this story over a few minute interaction at a party that was meant to be fun and festive.'

Rob Reiber and Michele Singer Reiner attends the 2018 White House Correspondents' Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner attends the 2018 White House Correspondents' Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018 in Washington, DC (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Nick and Rob were arguing loudly at the party

Reports from the party described a 'very loud argument' between Rob and Nick

A source told NBC News that Nick allegedly interrupted Hader at the party and was allegedly left annoyed when the comic told him he was 'in the middle of a private conversation'.

Following Hader's alleged comment, 'Nick just stood there and stared before storming off.'

An aerial view shows Rob Reiner's residence Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
An aerial view shows Rob Reiner's residence Monday, December 15, 2025, in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Guests at the event noted Nick’s antisocial behavior, including staring at attendees and repeatedly asking if people were famous. 

The late couple's daughter Romy, who lives across the street from their home, made the grim discovery of their dead bodies the following afternoon.

Police found blood throughout a nearby motel room where Nick had checked in, with the shower full of blood, the bed covered in blood, and windows blacked out with bedsheets.

His first court hearing was scheduled for Tuesday at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, but got delayed because he was not medically cleared for transfer from jail to the courthouse, according to his attorney, Alan Jackson.

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