Scorsese mourns Reiners, calls them New York to the core

The director Martin Scorsese wrote about the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner. The couple was found dead in their Brentwood home from knife injuries. Their son Nick Reiner, aged thirty-two, was arrested and charged with both murders. Scorsese called Rob Reiner a close friend, saying he now has to speak about him in the past tense. This reality fills him with a deep sadness.

Scorsese first met Rob after moving to Los Angeles decades ago. They connected at parties full of comedians thrown by George Memmoli. He noted that Reiner came from a famous entertainment family, being the son of performers Carl and Estelle Reiner. Scorsese felt an immediate bond with him as another New Yorker. He described Rob as incredibly funny with a sharp wit, but never someone who demanded the spotlight. He had a loud, joyful laugh and lived completely in the moment.

Scorsese mentioned a tribute event at Lincoln Center where a parody speech by Michael McKean made Rob laugh uncontrollably. His favorite film that Reiner directed is Misery, praising the acting by Kathy Bates and James Caan. He also called the mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap a perfect and unique creation. When Scorsese was casting for his film The Wolf of Wall Street, he wanted Rob to play the father of the main character.