In a heartbreaking revelation, former First Lady Michelle Obama shared that she and Barack were meant to spend time with their close friends Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, on the very night the couple was tragically killed.
Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week, Michelle opened up about the shock: “We’d known them for so many years, and we were actually supposed to see them that evening—the night before—and then we heard the awful news.”
The Obamas had been friends with the Reiners for decades. Michelle described them warmly to Kimmel as people who always stood up for what they believed in, especially when it came to family, fairness, and doing right by others.
Rob Reiner, the beloved director behind classics like When Harry Met Sally… and The Princess Bride, and his wife Michele, a talented photographer and producer, were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home on Sunday afternoon. Authorities say both had knife wounds, and their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
The news sent ripples of grief through Hollywood and beyond, with countless tributes pouring in for a couple remembered for their kindness and commitment to causes they cared about.
Even President Trump weighed in, controversially blaming Rob’s strong political views and calling it “Trump Derangement Syndrome”—a remark that drew sharp criticism, including from some Republicans who called it
Michelle pushed back gently but firmly on the show: “They weren’t deranged or anything like that. They were just good, passionate people who put their hearts into making the world better.”
Barack Obama also shared his sorrow on X, writing: “Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. Rob gave us so many unforgettable stories on screen, but more than that, he lived with a real faith in people’s goodness—and he and Michele turned that into action every day.”
Prosecutors say Nick could face the death penalty if convicted. He was initially held on $4 million bail before being detained without it while awaiting trial.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman called the loss “beyond tragic,” praising Rob as a Hollywood icon and Michele as an equally accomplished creative force, vowing to seek justice.