Billy Crystal has paid tribute to his friend of more than three decades after he was seen at the Reiner home just hours after their deaths.
Legendary movie star and director, Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were tragically found dead with reported stab wounds in their Brentwood, LA, home on Sunday (December 14).
The couple, who tied the knot in 1989 after meeting on the set of When Harry Met Sally, went on to share three children together, Jake, Nick, and daughter, Romy.
The LAPD has since confirmed their second born son, Nick, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with their deaths. Los Angeles prosecutors claim the 32-year-old, who is currently being held without bail, could face the death penalty if found guilty.
Billy Crystal was seen outside the actor’s home (Alberto E. Rodriguez/FilmMagic)
Nick has not yet entered a plea, nor has he appeared before the courthouse for medical reasons.
Now, Rob’s close friend, Crystal, who was seen spotted at the scene of the Reiner home wiping away tears, has broken his silence.
The pals met way back in 1975 on the of All in the Family, where the duo happened to be cast as best friends. After that, they went on to work together and collaborate on several movies, including When Harry Met Sally, which Reiner directed while Crystal played Harry Burns.
The 77-year-old issued a heartbreaking tribute to his late friend, writing in a statement that Reiner was ‘not only a great comic actor’ but also a ‘master story teller’.
“There is no other director who has his range. From comedy to drama to ‘mockumentary’ to documentary he was always at the top of his game. He charmed audiences. They trusted him. They lined up to see his films,” the joint statement issued to the Associated Press by Crystal, his wife, Janice, and a line-up of fellow friends and collaborators read.
Albert and Kimberly Brooks, Martin Short, Alan and Robin Zweibel, Larry David and Ashley Underwood, Marc Shaiman and Lou Mirabal, Barry and Diana Levinson and Amb. James Costos and Michael Smith are all named as contributing towards the tribute.
It continued: “His comedic touch was beyond compare, his love of getting the music of the dialogue just right, and his sharpening of the edge of a drama was simply elegant. For the actors, he loved them. For the writers he made them better.
Rob and his son, Nick (Rommel Demano/Getty Images)
“His greatest gift was freedom. If you had an idea, he listened, he brought you into the process. They always felt they were working as a team. To be in his hands as a film maker was a privilege but that is only part of his legacy.”
Moving on to celebrate the Reiner’s on a personal level, it added: “Rob was also a passionate, brave citizen, who not only cared for this country he loved, he did everything he could to make it better and with his loving wife Michele, he had the perfect partner. Strong and determined, Michele and Rob Reiner devoted a great deal of their lives for the betterment of our fellow citizens.
“They were a special force together-dynamic, unselfish and inspiring. We were their friends, and we will miss them forever.”
The touching statement concluded with a poignant line.
It said: “There is a line from one of Rob’s favorite films, It’s a Wonderful Life, ‘Each man’s life touches so many other lives, and when he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?’
“You have no idea.”
Crystal was reportedly among the very first people to race to the Reiner’s home following the news of their deaths.
According to TMZ, Rob and Michele’s bodies were found by their 28-year-old daughter, Romy, who allegedly called Crystal and Janice, who wasted no time in getting to the home.
Featured Image Credit: Kevin Winter/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images
