Late-night hosts react to Rob Reiner's death, slam Trump's 'vile' post
- - Late-night hosts react to Rob Reiner's death, slam Trump's 'vile' post
Brendan Morrow, USA TODAYDecember 16, 2025 at 9:48 AM
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Late-night hosts are paying tribute to a Hollywood icon.
Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers all reacted to the death of Rob Reiner on their Dec. 15 shows, one day after the "Princess Bride" director was found dead in his home alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner. He was 78. The couple's 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested in connection with their deaths.
On "The Tonight Show," Fallon praised Reiner as an "entertainment legend" and noted "everyone here would line up around his dressing room to say hi or tell him something that they loved" when he was a guest on the show.
"I personally remember the last time he was on our show, he came out from the curtain, and I was so happy to see him that I hugged him, and then we didn't let go of hugging all the way to the guest's chair," he recalled with a laugh. "We didn't plan it. We were just doing a bit, and he knew I was doing a bit and just went along with it."
Fallon added, "He's one of the smartest and funniest people I've ever met. What a tremendous loss, and he leaves behind such a legacy. Thank you for all the great work on and off screen, and continuing to be an inspiration to me and millions of people around the world. In the end, I'm going to remember all the laughs that you've given us."
In his own monologue, Kimmel praised Reiner as "one of our greatest directors and patriots."
He also expressed outrage over President Donald Trump posting on Truth Social that Reiner died "due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME." There is no indication that the director's death was related to politics.
Rob Reiner attends the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 dinner at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.
"It's so hateful and vile, when I first saw it, I thought it was fake," Kimmel said. "My wife showed it to me this morning, and I was like, even for him, that seemed like too much."
He added, "I know from my personal interactions with Rob Reiner that he would want us to keep pointing out the loathsome atrocities that continue to ooze out of this sick and irresponsible man's mouth, and so we're going to do that over and over again until the rest of us wake up."
Rob Reiner, wife Michele Singer dead, son Nick arrested – Live updates
On "Late Night," Meyers noted that while he didn't know Rob and Michele Reiner well, they were both "delightful people to be in a room with," adding, "He was just a person who was so full of love, and so was Michele, and you could tell how much they loved each other." He recalled watching Reiner's classic movie "This Is Spinal Tap" for the first time, noting it made him realize "what comedy could be."
"He was a man who set an example, and there's such a value in that, and we have to do everything we can to not make setting an example a lost art," Meyers continued.
The comedian also said that because Reiner was a known Trump critic, he "feared" what the president's reaction to his death would be, and it was "even worse than I could have imagined."
"What a good time it would be to have a leader with a moral compass," Meyers said.
Colbert opened "The Late Show" with somber remarks addressing not only the "heartbreaking deaths" of Rob and Michele Reiner, but also the recent shootings at Bondi Beach in Australia and Brown University.
"We are going to do a comedy show tonight, in light of, and in spite of, the darkness," he said.
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign 2019 Los Angeles dinner at JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE on March 30, 2019.Rob Reiner death: Son Nick arrested
Officials previously confirmed that Reiner, who directed classic movies like "This Is Spinal Tap," "When Harry Met Sally …," "Stand by Me," "Misery" and "A Few Good Men," and his wife were found dead in their home on Dec. 14.
Reiner's son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested and "booked for murder," according to Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell. Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner also shared two other children: actors Jake Reiner and Romy Reiner.
Reiner made numerous late-night appearances over the years and has been a guest of Colbert, Kimmel, Fallon and Meyers in the past.
Just three months ago, the actor and director sat down with Meyers for a September interview on "Late Night." At the time, Meyers introduced Reiner as a "Hollywood icon" and said it was "honor" to have him on the show, and Reiner chatted with the comedian about making the jump to directing after starring on "All in the Family."
Who is Nick Reiner? About Rob Reiner's middle child after director's death
"They said, 'What? Rob Reiner? What is he doing? He wants to make a movie? He's directing?'" he said. "It took me years to break the mold and become a director."
Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YDHmlQh5m_yjYdxWl6KWNQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8dd98d793b925c4b2650d5967da00369 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
">Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YDHmlQh5m_yjYdxWl6KWNQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8dd98d793b925c4b2650d5967da00369 class=caas-img>Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/35Xr05pN18PokNnjx_CTVQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/345e40b086a686df1dc3367249e8ec4c class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005.
">Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/35Xr05pN18PokNnjx_CTVQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/345e40b086a686df1dc3367249e8ec4c class=caas-img>Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/s.h5kro5vq1bTvKLUQvtwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2c08b2f64fe1ddda9342788bb8e8ab87 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
">Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/s.h5kro5vq1bTvKLUQvtwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2c08b2f64fe1ddda9342788bb8e8ab87 class=caas-img>Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/SY32lULpXWLH3ehAwhx43Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/62ee04a3d844adaf4c222c4e04537fe0 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles.
">Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/SY32lULpXWLH3ehAwhx43Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/62ee04a3d844adaf4c222c4e04537fe0 class=caas-img>Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A..
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6UjUKoeUJZOxKsn6eWnjmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzA5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cbe08129f0fbdebfd7b9e070df8921b4 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A..
">Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A..
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6UjUKoeUJZOxKsn6eWnjmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzA5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cbe08129f0fbdebfd7b9e070df8921b4 class=caas-img>Rob and his son watch a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Lakers March 9, 2001, in L.A..
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1Wq2XtbxBBSVIyJIRqVs1A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzk0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d8ed708cda424db9d5240fbb87ce0012 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and his son watch a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Lakers March 9, 2001, in L.A..
">Rob and his son watch a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Lakers March 9, 2001, in L.A..
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1Wq2XtbxBBSVIyJIRqVs1A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzk0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d8ed708cda424db9d5240fbb87ce0012 class=caas-img>Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G_NmjSQkPS19p9n12_yLaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzM2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7762e68d6ca090a14dc617ed1bb3aba class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A.
">Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G_NmjSQkPS19p9n12_yLaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzM2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7762e68d6ca090a14dc617ed1bb3aba class=caas-img>Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0fYwBrY36fYaOZUdVo.iwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f08197fdd1474cfd25b6da2bf3b0a1c class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A.
">Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0fYwBrY36fYaOZUdVo.iwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f08197fdd1474cfd25b6da2bf3b0a1c class=caas-img>Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/U3Ye9f1r_f2LW.1GmX_DQQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjU2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b2e53cb5acf98c74c750d0175a299e70 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood.
">Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/U3Ye9f1r_f2LW.1GmX_DQQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjU2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b2e53cb5acf98c74c750d0175a299e70 class=caas-img>Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/u9F1CV9MIz3.PU39Y2xTaw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODA2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3173d2ab6e96c4725d6c2c605ff9dc06 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas.
">Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/u9F1CV9MIz3.PU39Y2xTaw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODA2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3173d2ab6e96c4725d6c2c605ff9dc06 class=caas-img>Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VQiHiLNJ.BBtg2fAx7N6aA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f28db606b3e207679f84f9983fcc83d class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.
">Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VQiHiLNJ.BBtg2fAx7N6aA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f28db606b3e207679f84f9983fcc83d class=caas-img>Rob and Michele Reiner and daughter Rony at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OO6_Z54ACdIvNr5tTorbTg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b7a6b41c7a09c971795ffdf60f5f170c class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Rob and Michele Reiner and daughter Rony at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland.
">Rob and Michele Reiner and daughter Rony at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OO6_Z54ACdIvNr5tTorbTg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b7a6b41c7a09c971795ffdf60f5f170c class=caas-img>Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zgrDP_ttW5RFQKesbCutlQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/91f165bd34760c3418fec3032d731d8b class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A.
">Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zgrDP_ttW5RFQKesbCutlQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/91f165bd34760c3418fec3032d731d8b class=caas-img>Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BtTaGEP0Ciec2Bt900di7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e5bacb6f4b9fe61034c80cd87b76e41d class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years" data-caption="
Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City.
">Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BtTaGEP0Ciec2Bt900di7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e5bacb6f4b9fe61034c80cd87b76e41d class=caas-img>
1 / 14See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family through the years
Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Reiner also appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in September alongside the cast of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues," who Kimmel interviewed as their characters from the comedy sequel.
Colbert had Reiner as a guest on "The Late Show" in 2018, and the host praised Reiner for his and his father Carl Reiner's contributions to "the last 70 years of American comedy and entertainment."
"Your heads could be carved on comedy Mount Rushmore," Colbert said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rob Reiner death: Colbert, Kimmel, more late-night hosts pay tribute
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
