Hollywood director and wife Michele found dead in LA home

Legendary Hollywood film-maker and actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele have been found dead in their Los Angeles home.

Authorities are investigating the incident as an apparent homicide after police and firefighters were called to the couple’s house on Sunday afternoon in an upmarket neighbourhood of LA.

Reiner is known for directing classic films including The Princess Bride, This is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, Misery and A Few Good Men.

“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner,” a family spokesperson said in a statement to US media.

“We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”

Police said a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the home, but officers did not immediately identify the couple or the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Police also said no-one had been arrested, but that no suspect or person of interest was currently being sought.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department told the BBC they received a call at about 15:38 local time (23:38 GMT) for medical aid to a home in Brentwood, a neighbourhood that is home to many celebrities.

Robbery homicide detectives from the LA police department also responded to the home and have opened a homicide investigation.

In a news conference on Sunday night, police did not offer any details about the deaths or what they found when they responded. Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said both bodies were still inside the house, more than six hours after police and firefighters had been called.

Police also did not give details about any injuries the pair sustained, nor if any weapon was found or used. Hamilton said a cause of death would be determined by the LA coroner’s office.

California Governor Gavin Newsom released a statement that confirmed the death of Reiner and his wife.

Newsom said he was “heartbroken” by the deaths and called Reiner a “big-hearted genius behind so many of the classic stories we love”.

Former US President Barack Obama said he and wife Michelle were also heartbroken by the couple’s deaths.

“Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen,” he said. “But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people – and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.

“Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose. They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired. We send our deepest condolences to all who loved them.”

Rob Reiner, the son of comedy great Carl Reiner, started his career in the 1960s and made it big playing Meathead in groundbreaking TV sitcom All in The Family in the 1970s, which scored him two Emmy Awards.

He achieved futher success with cult mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap in 1984, which he directed as well as playing on-screen director Marty DiBergi.

That began a run of classic Hollywood movies directed by Reiner, including Stand By Me (1986), The Princess Bride (1987), When Harry Met Sally (1989), Misery (1990) and A Few Good Men (1992), the latter of which scored him an Academy Award nomination for best picture.

He reunited with Spinal Tap for long-awaited sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, which was released this September.

Reiner also co-founded the successful Castle Rock Entertainment production company.

He was married to Laverne & Shirley actress Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981 and is the adoptive father to Marshall’s daughter, actress Tracy Reiner.

He married Michele Reiner, an actress, photographer and producer, in 1989. The couple have three children together.

Michele owned the Reiner Light photography agency and production house.

LA mayor Karen Bass called the incident a “devastating loss for our city and country”, and paid tribute to the couple’s charity work for childhood development and LGBTQ+ advocacy.

“Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice,” she said.