Michele Singer Reiner, photographer and creative partner to Rob Reiner, dead at 70

by

Michele Singer Reiner, a 70-year-old photographer who became a filmmaker and producer, died Sunday at her Los Angeles home, along with her husband, Rob Reiner. Her work often combined artistic performance with political and persuasive themes.

In the late 1980s, photographer Susan Singer was working on film sets to earn money. One of those sets was the iconic romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally…,” directed by Rob Reiner in New York City. Reiner, who had divorced Penny Marshall eight years prior, spotted Susan across the set and felt an immediate connection.

Originally, the movie—written by Nora Ephron—wasn’t meant to have its main characters, played by Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, end up together. They were only going to meet briefly at different points in their lives. However, after discussing it with director Rob Reiner, he decided to change the ending. He rewrote the final scene to show the characters reuniting and getting married, which contributed to the film becoming a classic.

Rob Reiner, the acclaimed director of films like ‘When Harry Met Sally’ and ‘The Princess Bride,’ passed away Sunday at his home in Brentwood. He was 78 years old, and his wife was also found deceased.

The couple married in 1989, shortly after the movie came out. They later had three children: Jake (born in 1991), Nick (born in 1993), and Romy (born in 1997).

Following the discovery of a couple’s bodies at their home in Brentwood, Nick Reiner, who had a long history of battling substance abuse, was arrested and charged with murder, according to Los Angeles County jail records. Reiner had previously discussed his journey to sobriety, and in 2015, he collaborated with his father, Rob Reiner, on the film “Being Charlie,” a movie inspired by his own experiences with addiction and recovery, which Rob directed and Nick co-wrote.

Following their wedding, photographer Sheila Reiner became a frequent collaborator with her husband, director Rob Reiner, working on films like his 1990 adaptation of “Misery.” Their relationship blossomed into a professional partnership. As Rob Reiner’s work broadened to include documentaries and political projects, Sheila continued to collaborate closely, bringing her skills to both filmmaking and advocacy. Notably, earlier in her career, she had photographed Donald Trump for the cover of his 1987 book, “The Art of the Deal,” and their later projects often intertwined these areas.

The director of classic films like ‘Stand by Me’ and ‘When Harry Met Sally’ wasn’t just a filmmaker – he was also a passionate advocate for important causes, including marriage equality and access to quality early education.

I remember learning about Jane Fonda’s commitment to social issues early on. Back in the ’90s, she and Richard Reiner launched this incredible initiative called ‘I Am Your Child.’ It was all about getting people to understand how crucial early childhood development is, and working to make sure parents had the resources they needed to support their kids. It really showed a different side of her, beyond the acting, and I always admired that.

I’ve always admired Rob Reiner, and it’s fascinating to see how much he’s become a leading voice in Hollywood on important issues. Beyond making films I love, he really stepped up to fight for equality. He was one of the people who started the American Foundation for Equal Rights, and they were the ones who took on the legal battle against Proposition 8, that awful measure trying to ban same-sex marriage in California. And it wasn’t just that – he also played a huge role in getting Proposition 10 passed, which created a really ambitious, statewide program to help young children develop. It’s inspiring to see someone use their platform to make such a positive impact.

Over the past ten years, Singer Reiner increasingly focused on producing. She’s credited on several projects she also directed, including the 2017 film “Shock and Awe,” the 2023 special “Albert Brooks: Defending My Life,” and this year’s “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.” She also produced the 2024 documentary “God & Country,” which explores Christian nationalism in the U.S.

When news of Rob and Michele Reiner’s passing became public, many people highlighted their dedication to public service as a couple. Close friend and environmental activist Laurie David shared on Threads that they were an exceptional pair who consistently worked together to build a better, more equitable world.

Bill and Hillary Clinton released a statement expressing their deep sadness over the deaths of the Reiners. They highlighted the couple’s commitment to open and inclusive democracy, describing them as active and engaged citizens. The statement also praised the Reiners as kind and generous people who positively impacted everyone they knew.

Nancy Pelosi described the loss as “devastating,” and fondly remembered Rob Reiner as a creative and funny person. She also highlighted the crucial role of his wife, Singer Reiner, calling her his essential partner, source of ideas, and loving spouse in everything they did together.

Read More

2025-12-15 22:01