Rob Reiner’s friends Billy Crystal, Albert Brooks ‘fiercely’ support children after parents’ deaths

Jake, 34, and Romy Reiner, 28, were incredibly strong and leaned on a huge support system that ensured they would never be alone, a source said
UPDATED DEC 19, 2025
Following the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, their children are shielded by friends like Billy Crystal and Albert Brooks (Getty Images)
Following the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, their children are shielded by friends like Billy Crystal and Albert Brooks (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Close friends are stepping up to support the children of legendary director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, following their deaths. 

Friends like Billy Crystal and Albert Brooks have moved in to provide a protective shield for the grieving family as they navigate the loss of their parents.

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Honoree Rob Reiner poses with family at the 41st Annual Chaplin Award Gala at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on April 28, 2014, in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Rob Reiner poses with family at the 41st Annual Chaplin Award Gala at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on April 28, 2014, in New York City (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Rob Reiner’s friends step up to support grieving family

The legendary filmmaker and his wife of 36 years, Michele Singer Reiner, were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home on December 14. 

In the aftermath of the discovery, an insider told People on Thursday, December 18, that the couple’s famous inner circle is treating the surviving children like their own, noting that “Rob and Michele were beloved in Hollywood and their friends like Billy Crystal and Albert Brooks are truly like family and fiercely protective.” 

While the couple shared three children named Jake, Nick, and Romy, along with Rob’s adopted daughter, Tracy, friends of the couple are helping the family navigate a public nightmare.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 13: (L-R) Rob Reiner, Romy Reiner and Jake Reiner attend the Los Angeles premiere of
Rob Reiner, Romy Reiner and Jake Reiner attend the Los Angeles premiere of 'Things Like This' at Landmark Theatres Sunset on May 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California (Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)

Jake and Romy Reiner lean on strong support system

Despite the circumstances, those close to the family say the surviving siblings, Jake and Romy, are leaning heavily on a strong network of support. 

The source shared that “they are being incredibly strong and have a huge support system they can lean on,” adding that the two “will never be alone as they try to face this.”

The source further noted the sudden nature of the event, stating, “It’s of course been a huge shock to the system. This nightmare came out of nowhere for them, but they’ve been surrounded with support since the second they found out.”

Jake Reiner, Romy Reiner, Rob Reiner, and Michele Reiner attend the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Jake Reiner, Romy Reiner, Rob Reiner, and Michele Reiner attend the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

Grieving children of Rob and Michele Reiner ask for privacy 

Breaking their silence on Wednesday, Jake and Romy released an emotional statement focusing on the profound bond they shared with their parents, while making no mention of their brother. 

They expressed that “words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,” and emphasized that “the horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience.” 

Describing their parents as their “best friends,” the siblings asked “for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave.”

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