NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Dale Kocevski (Colby College)
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Topline:
Of all the mysteries that the massive James Webb Space Telescope has seen so far in the early universe, among the strangest are objects that astronomers now call "little red dots."
The mystery: Like the nickname suggests, these celestial objects appear to be compact — much smaller than our Milky Way galaxy. And their color is reddish, although their light signatures are also unusual in ways that astronomers have struggled to explain.
Why now: At a conference of the American Astronomical Society this week, astronomers say they combed through public data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to collect hundreds of examples of little red dots. Their study shows that these cosmic oddballs appear to be a common but transient feature of the early universe.
What they could be: Large galaxies that exist today almost all seem to have a supermassive black hole at their centers, says Dale Kocevski, an astrophysicist at Colby College. A subsample of little red dots that researchers examined in more detail showed light signatures that indicate hot gasses spiraling down into a growing black hole. That could mean the little red dots are, "a potential building block, or maybe the first stage, of producing the galaxies and black holes that we see today," says Kocevski.
Read on ... for more on what scientists think about the mysterious dots.
Of all the mysteries that the massive James Webb Space Telescope has seen so far in the early universe, among the strangest are objects that astronomers now call "little red dots."
Like the nickname suggests, these celestial objects appear to be compact — much smaller than our Milky Way galaxy. And their color is reddish, although their light signatures are also unusual in ways that astronomers have struggled to explain. Now, at a conference of the American Astronomical Society being held this week in Maryland, astronomers say they combed through public data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to collect hundreds of examples of little red dots.
Their study shows that these cosmic oddballs appear to be a common but transient feature of the early universe.
"Essentially, all of them exist back when the universe was a billion years old or younger, and then they petered out," says Dale Kocevski, an astrophysicist at Colby College.
They may only seem to go away because their appearance changes, he says, and "it could be that we're seeing the formation of the core of today's massive galaxies."
Large galaxies that exist today almost all seem to have a supermassive black hole at their centers, he notes. A subsample of little red dots that researchers examined in more detail showed light signatures that indicate hot gasses spiraling down into a growing black hole.
That could mean the little red dots are, "a potential building block, or maybe the first stage, of producing the galaxies and black holes that we see today," says Kocevski.
Breaking the universe
The enormous $10 billion JWST is about a million miles away from Earth, and it's able to detect extremely faint objects that the Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based telescopes never saw.
When the little red dots first showed up in some of JWST's early observations, in December of 2022, it was a surprise.
These faint objects are so far away that the light has to travel for billions of years before it's finally detected by the telescope, which means the light reveals how the universe appeared in its early stages of development.
The bright little red dots initially looked to be massive galaxies putting out dust-reddened starlight, but no one could understand how Milky Way-sized galaxies could have built up that fast, so soon after the Big Bang.
People started talking "about how JWST was breaking the existing theories of universe formation," says Kocevski, "because these things were too massive too early on in the history of the universe."
In early 2023, however, he and some colleagues examined a little red dot and detected light signatures indicative of gas rapidly spinning down into a black hole.
So they wondered if it could be that the light from little red dots could be coming from both a growing black hole and the stars in a small host galaxy, rather than stars alone.
"They may not be these massive galaxies," says Kocevski.
He and his colleagues wanted to see if other little red dots had signs of a black hole lurking within, so they searched through public data, hunting for as many objects with the specific features of little red dots that they could find.
Looking at 341 of them revealed that these objects mostly appeared around 600 million years after the big bang and then declined, disappearing by about 1.5 billion years ago.
Hotly debated
A subset of a couple dozen little red dots had additional data available, 80% of them showed those same signs of gas spiraling into a black hole, Kocevski says.
"So it does look like there's a good chance that these are actively accreting supermassive black holes," he says. "The thing that's surprising is they're just really, really common. They're much more common than we would have anticipated."
Still, some astronomers continue to believe that little red dots are, in fact, massive galaxies, he says.
Little red dots aren't bright in X-ray light, which would normally be seen from black holes. It may be, however, that gases are obscuring this form of light.
"It's been a very, very healthy academic debate as to what's going on with these things," he says. "It's exciting because rarely do you find a population of objects where you say, 'I simply don't know what's going on here.' "
Copyright 2025 NPR
Tributes poured in late Sunday following news of the death of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer and producer Michele Singer Reiner. Officials said they were investigating a homicide at the couple's residence, but provided few details.
What friends and colleagues are saying: The estate of Norman Lear — the legendary producer who created All in the Family and cast Reiner in the series — released a statement remembering their close relationship. "Norman often referred to Rob as a son," the statement said. "The world is unmistakably darker tonight." On X, former President Barack Obama remembered Reiner for giving audiences "some of our most cherished stories" told on screen.
Keep reading... for more on Reiner's life and legacy.
LOS ANGELES – Tributes poured in late Sunday following news of the death of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer and producer Michele Singer Reiner. Officials said they were investigating a homicide at the couple's residence, but provided few details.
"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner," a Reiner family spokesperson said in a statement shared with Variety and the Los Angeles Times. "We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time."
The Los Angeles Fire Department said it responded to a medical aid request at around 3:40 p.m. local time Sunday and discovered the bodies of a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman inside the couple's home. Reiner turned 78 in March.
The estate of Norman Lear — the legendary producer who created All in the Family and cast Reiner in the series — released a statement remembering their close relationship.
"Norman often referred to Rob as a son," the statement said. "The world is unmistakably darker tonight."
On X, former President Barack Obama remembered Reiner for giving audiences "some of our most cherished stories" told on screen.
He added that "beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people – and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action."
The author Stephen King, who collaborated with Reiner on the film adaptations for Stand by Me and Misery wrote he was "horrified and saddened" by the news, calling Reiner a "wonderful friend, political ally and brilliant filmmaker."
Beyond entertainment, Reiner was also active in politics, frequently supporting liberal causes and speaking out on social issues.
News media gather near Rob Reiner's residence Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles.
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Ethan Swope
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Investigation underway in Brentwood
The Los Angeles Police Department says its investigation remains active. The area surrounding the Reiners' home was cordoned off overnight as homicide detectives worked at the scene.
Officials have declined to say whether there are any suspects. "At this time, the Los Angeles Police Department is not seeking anyone as a suspect or as a person of interest," Hamilton said. "We will not be doing this until we conduct our investigation and we move forward."
Authorities did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
A career that spanned decades
Rob Reiner was born in the Bronx in 1947 to a show business family. He said his number one inspiration was his father, Carl Reiner, a comedy genius, from the early days of television. In the 1950s, the elder Reiner worked with Sid Caeser, Mel Brooks and Neil Simon. In the 1960s, he created The Dick Van Dyke Show.
Rob Reiner often spoke about how much he loved what his father did; he even told Fresh Air in September the story about how he wanted to change his name to Carl.
After studying at UCLA, he began with an improv company.
A police officer blocks off a street near Rob Reiner's residence Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles.
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Ethan Swope
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Comedy really was "All in the Family"
In the 1970s, Reiner co-starred in the TV sitcom All in the Family, which featured a generation gap that marked the era.
Reiner played Michael Stivic, the progressive son-in-law nicknamed "Meathead" by the bigoted but loveable Archie Bunker. They often butted heads about everything from politics to how to put on your shoes.
Reiner talked about how influential and controversial All in the Family was while speaking to Fresh Air's Terry Gross in September.
"I was 23" he recalled, "and it was groundbreaking at the time. Nobody had done a show like this. CBS when they put it on they had a big disclaimer at the beginning, saying – 'the views that are represented in the show don't represent the views of' — basically, it was a disclaimer saying, I don't know how this show got on here, but… watch it at your own risk."
All In The Family, as Reiner pointed out, was the number one TV show in America for five years straight.
Reiner went on to become a well-loved movie director.
His films were memorable and quotable.
"You can't handle the truth," Jack Nicholson says to Tom Cruise in the Aaron Sorkin-written thriller A Few Good Men, which was nominated for an Oscar in 1993.
"Inconceivable" is one of the many quotable lines from the 1987 fantasy adventure comedy The Princess Bride.
Reiner even cast his own mother, Estelle Reiner, to deliver the punchline of a scene in the 1989 rom-com When Harry Met Sally. After Meg Ryan's character fakes an orgasm at Katz' Deli in New York, Mrs. Reiner tells the waiter, "I"ll have what she's having."
Reiner gave credit to Billy Crystal for that line. But his films also created sensations.
The first feature film he directed, This is Spinal Tap, introduced mainstream audiences to the "mockumentary." In that 1984 parody of a rock documentary, Reiner also plays the filmmaker who asks a member of the fictional band Spinal Tap about the volume switch on an amplifier.
"The numbers all go to 11, right across the board," says the lead guitarist of the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap, played by Christopher Guest.
"And does it mean it's louder?" asks Reiner's character. "Well, it's one louder," explains the rocker.
Earlier this year, Reiner brought Spinal Tap back together for a sequel, Spinal Tap: The End Continues.
One of the aging rockers, Derek Smalls, was played by Harry Shearer.
In an interview with NPR Sunday, Shearer remembered Reiner as "a great collaborator. He was a great appreciator. He was encouraging and it was fun to be around him."
"It's devastating, knowing the two of them and knowing how the story ended. It's just horrible, unspeakable. It's a Greek tragedy come to our lives in the most traumatic and awful way. Rob still had more work to be done, and it's a loss."
Copyright 2025 NPR
Ben Platt at the Ahmanson, eat latkes at Miznon, see awards contenders at the Hammer and more of the best things to do this week.
Highlights:
From waving through a window to waving from the stage, musical theater wunderkind-turned-pop star Ben Platt hits the Ahmanson for a week of shows featuring Broadway favorites — and some of his famous friends. A surprise guest will join him each night, and while we don’t know who yet, the 2024 Broadway residency featured the likes of Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson, Sam Smith and more.
One of the (only?) good things about social media is its ability to introduce classic hits to a new generation of fans (see: Kate Bush). The 4 Non Blondes' iconic 1993 hit “What’s Up” has been showing up in TikTok mashups, and the Linda Perry-led band is reuniting for two shows at the Roxy on their current tour.
Rescue dogs like a good book, too! All ages are invited to read books to therapy dogs at the Wilshire Branch Library. Who’s helping whom here, I wonder…
We’re fast approaching the one-year anniversary of the fires, and there’s never a better time than the holidays to support the ongoing relief efforts. Flood Magazine is hosting this in-store launch and listening party at Amoeba for the new double vinyl benefit album, Gimme Shelter: Songs for LA Fire Relief. The album features rare tracks from Elliott Smith, Flaming Lips, Rilo Kiley, Local Natives, Chromeo, Norah Jones and more — on double gatefold red vinyl, with a cover by Shepard Fairey.
Head to the Hammer for four more nights of screenings of potential awards nominees at the annual “MoMA Contenders” series. On Monday, you can catch the George Clooney Hollywood drama Jay Kelly; Tuesday has art heist film The Mastermind; on Wednesday, director Scott Cooper joins for a screening of his film, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere; and Thursday’s feature is Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another.
Happy Hanukkah to all celebrating the festival of lights. I am obsessed with this NY Times Cooking recipe for pickle latkes and plan to break all rules of tradition by attempting to make them.
If you, too, are jumping on the pickle latke trend this year, brush your teeth before heading out to one of the many options on the music menu. On Monday, popera icon Sarah Brightman is at the Dolby Theatre. On Tuesday, the Cool Kids play the Echo, and Robert Glasper begins his six-night residency at the Blue Note. On Wednesday, Death Angel is at the Belasco, Ariel Pink is at the Regent, Ella Mai plays the Roxy and Okkervil River is at Scribble. On Thursday, Queensrÿche and Accept bring some hard rock to Anaheim’s House of Blues, and Electric Guest plays the Regent. Licorice Pizza has even more music listings here.
Through December 21 Ahmanson Theatre 135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A. COST: FROM $44.85; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Center Theatre Group
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From waving through a window to waving from the stage, musical theater wunderkind-turned-pop star Ben Platt hits the Ahmanson for a week of shows featuring Broadway favorites — and some of his famous friends. A surprise guest will join him each night, and while we don’t know who yet, the 2024 Broadway residency featured the likes of Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson, Sam Smith and more.
4 Non Blondes
December 15-16, 8 p.m. The Roxy 9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood COST: MORE INFO
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 13: Linda Perry of 4 Non Blondes performs onstage during the 2025 KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas at The Kia Forum on December 13, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Audacy)
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Kevin Winter
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Getty Images North America
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One of the (only?) good things about social media is its ability to introduce classic hits to a new generation of fans (see: Kate Bush). The 4 Non Blondes' iconic 1993 hit “What’s Up” has been showing up in TikTok mashups — and the Linda Perry-led band is reuniting for two shows at the Roxy on their current tour.
Broadway Brass Band Hanukkah Party
Tuesday, December 16, 8 p.m. The Venice West 1717 Lincoln Blvd., Venice COST: $20; MORE INFO
Showtunes, Hanukkah and brass bands — pretty much my trifecta of fun. If it’s yours, too, head to the Venice West and celebrate the festival of lights Westside-style with musician Benny Lipson, who gives a New Orleans spin to Tom Lehrer’s “Hanukkah in Santa Monica” (oh the rhyming). Happy hour goes till 7:30, so get there early!
Read to a rescue dog
Tuesday, December 16, 4 p.m. Wilshire Branch Library 149 N. Saint Andrews Place, Mid-Wilshire COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Rhiannon Elliott
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Unsplash
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Rescue dogs like a good book, too! All ages are invited to read books to therapy dogs at the Wilshire Branch Library. Who’s helping whom here, I wonder…
Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas
Wednesday, December 17, 7:30 p.m. Broad Stage 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica COST: SOLD OUT, WAITLIST AVAILABLE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Broadstage
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It’s no secret that Glee star Jane Lynch knows how to belt it out, and she brings friends Kate Flannery, Tim Davis and the Tony Guerrero Quintet together for comedy and classic holiday tunes at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica.
Gimme Shelter: Songs for LA Fire Relief Launch Party
Tuesday, December 16, 5 p.m. Amoeba Hollywood 6200 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood COST: FREE; MORE INFO
We’re fast approaching the one-year anniversary of the fires, and there’s never a better time than the holidays to support the ongoing relief efforts. Flood Magazine is hosting this in-store launch and listening party at Amoeba for the new double vinyl benefit album, Gimme Shelter: Songs for LA Fire Relief. The album features rare tracks from Elliott Smith, Flaming Lips, Rilo Kiley, Local Natives, Chromeo, Norah Jones and more — on double gatefold red vinyl, with a cover by Shepard Fairey.
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Courtesy FLOOD Magazine
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Robert Therrian: This is a Story
Through April 5 Broad Museum 221 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A. COST: $19; MORE INFO
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Joshua White
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The Broad
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If you’ve been waiting since Thanksgiving to get down to the Broad to see the larger-than-life installations by Robert Therrian, wait no longer to book your tickets for the quiet holiday week. You know his big chair and table from visits to the permanent collection, but This is a Story features over 120 works that inspire wonder and awe, including enormous hanging beards and stacked dishes that create an optical illusion.
Jeopardy! Bar League
Tuesday December 16, 8 p.m. Brennan’s 4089 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Jeopardy! Bar League
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Test your knowledge with fellow Jeopardy! fans at the (show-sanctioned) Jeopardy! Bar League night at Brennan's in Marina Del Rey. If you’ve ever thought about auditioning for the classic trivia game show, members of the Jeopardy! team will be on hand to answer questions about the contestant journey and offer a mini contestant test. Try out — take it from this Jeopardy! loser — you won’t regret it!
Hammer Museum: "MoMA Contenders" screenings
December 15-18 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood COST: $10 members, $20 general admission; MORE INFO
Head to the Hammer for four more nights of screenings of potential awards nominees at the annual “MoMA Contenders” series. On Monday, you can catch the George Clooney Hollywood drama Jay Kelly; Tuesday has art heist film The Mastermind; on Wednesday, director Scott Cooper joins for a screening of his film, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere; and Thursday’s feature is Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another.
ShrimpMas
Through December 23 San Pedro Fish Market 760 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro
And 6550 E. Marina Drive, Long Beach COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
It’s not hard to come up with an excuse to go to San Pedro Fish Market, and this is an especially easy one. Through December 23, they’re featuring 12 days of World Famous Shrimp Trays, holiday offerings and exclusive seasonal specials at both the Long Beach restaurant and the newly opened Landing in San Pedro.
Hanukkah at Miznon
Through December 22 Grand Central Market, Downtown L.A. COST: $16; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Miznon
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It’s always overwhelming choosing where to eat at Grand Central Market. To celebrate Hanukkah, the popular Miznon is serving up latkes for $16, with four golden potato latkes served with rich, tangy Runover Cream.
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Erin Stone
is a reporter who covers climate and environmental issues in Southern California.
Published December 15, 2025 5:00 AM
The sun sets behind power lines near homes in Los Angeles.
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Patrick T. Fallon
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Getty Images
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Topline:
State regulators are poised to vote on how much profit utility companies can make, a decision with big implications for Californians’ bills and the aging power grid.
The background: Every three years, the California Public Utilities Commission oversees applications from the state’s private utilities during which they ask for a certain “rate of return” — essentially their amount of expected profits above the cost of operations — to attract the capital they say they need to make necessary investments in California’s aging power grid.
Read on ... for details on the proposal and how to submit public comment.
State regulators are poised to vote on how much profit utility companies can make, a decision with big implications for Californians’ bills and the aging power grid.
The California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates privately owned utilities in the state, will vote on a proposed decision to lower the payout to shareholders from the state’s investor-owned utilities — Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Gas Co. and Pacific Gas & Electric.
Unlike public utilities, such as the L.A. Department of Water and Power, investor-owned utilities are private companies that operate as government-regulated monopolies.
California’s electricity rates are the second-highest in the nation, behind only Hawai’i. As the state works to transition to a cleaner energy economy that runs largely on electricity, those high bills threaten to derail progress.
Experts say lowering utility profits is just one piece, albeit a big one, in the puzzle to address energy affordability.
The background
Every three years, the CPUC, which is made up of five commissioners appointed by the governor, oversees applications from the state’s private utilities during which they ask for a certain “rate of return” — essentially their amount of expected profits above the cost of operations — to attract the capital they say they need to make necessary investments in California’s aging power grid. That includes building new power plants, transmission lines and other infrastructure.
These profits are also important to ensure the utilities don’t go into bankruptcy and can maintain reliable service.
Over the last two decades, the amount of profits allowed has only gone up — it hovers at a little over 10% for the state’s big three investor-owned electric utilities, which is slightly higher than the industry average across the nation.
Mark Ellis — a former executive at Sempra Energy (the parent company of SoCal Gas and SDG&E) turned ratepayer advocate — estimates that profit, plus income taxes on profit, which are passed through to ratepayers, accounts for about one-quarter of Californians’ utility bills.
The CPUC is expected to vote on whether to approve a slight decrease to those returns at a meeting Thursday.
What the proposal says
The proposed decision would lower the return on equity for each utility by about 0.35% — even such a small change can mean millions of dollars in reductions for ratepayers.
If approved, SoCal Edison’s maximum return on equity would be 9.98%, down from 10.33%, and San Diego Gas & Electric would be 9.88%, down from 10.23%.
What critics say
Some stakeholders say the return percentage should be far lower. Ellis, who provided testimony in the proceeding on behalf of the Sierra Club and Protect Our Communities Foundation, argues the return should be as low as 6%. He estimates that could reduce Californians’ electric bills by as much as 10%.
“There's no other industry that really has that type of return that's virtually guaranteed,” Ellis said. “We haven't touched their profits for decades, and what has it gotten us? It's gotten us really expensive electricity and a very brittle system.”
He says current returns on equity incentivize the state’s monopoly utilities to overinvest, raising rates for customers and the expense of the energy transition.
“So I'm saying, the first step is, get the incentives right and see how they behave,” Ellis said.
The Little Hoover Commission, the state’s independent watchdog agency, cited Ellis’ work in a recent report on lowering electricity rates, as well as two UC Berkeleystudies showing how “utility regulators often approve profit levels that exceed what is truly needed to attract investment.”
In the report, the commission recommends shifting the initial proposal of the rate of return on equity to the state Treasurer’s Office, instead of the utilities themselves. The report also calls for an audit of California Public Utilities Commission staffing to assess whether the agency has enough capacity to provide rigorous oversight of these proceedings.
“We want to make sure that the rate of return isn't so high that this is just a cash grab from everyday customers and rate payers to big corporate interests,” said Katherine Ramsay, a senior attorney with the Sierra Club. “You want to make sure the number is no more and no less than what is necessary for the utilities to remain financially healthy.”
What the utilities say
The utilities had asked to increase or maintain their current rates of return. They’ve called on the commissioners to reject the proposed reduction.
They argue that their return on equity has to be competitive with nationwide utilities or else investors will go elsewhere, which could slow long-term investments in public infrastructure to improve wildfire safety and boost clean energy and hurt the companies’ credit.
And, especially since the 2025 L.A. wildfires and other catastrophic fires in the last decade, they say California electric utilities are seen as riskier, increasing costs of equity.
“We are disappointed that the proposed decision does not fully reflect current market conditions or the unique risks California utilities face,” a spokesperson for SDG&E wrote to LAist.
David Eisenhauer, a spokesperson for Southern California Edison told LAist that “when investors view the rate established by the CPUC as not commensurate with the risk, that impacts investor willingness to invest in California, which then drives up the cost of capital and increases customer costs over time.”
In their latest comments to the commission, Edison said the company has already not been meeting the return approved by the CPUC “since at least 2017, with 2024 actual earnings at 6.38% as compared to 10.75% authorized, in part due to financing of wildfire claims and SCE’s contributions to the Wildfire Fund.”
“The commission’s objective is not to maximize customer savings by setting the authorized [return on equity] as low as possible,” they write, but rather to set a rate “commensurate with market returns on investments” so that company can attract investors to finance infrastructure and “fulfill its public utility service obligation.”
How to share your comments ahead of the vote
The CPUC is expected to vote Thursday. You can submit a comment by calling into the meeting, or submitting one online ahead of time. To submit online, you’ll have to enter the proceeding’s docket number, which is A2503010, then click the tab that says “Add public comment.”
Director Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer attend the premiere of "The Magic of Belle Isle" in 2012 in L.A. They were found dead in their Brentwood home on Sunday afternoon.
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David Livingston
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Getty Images
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Topline:
Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were found dead Sunday at their home in Brentwood. LAPD officials said they are investigating “an apparent homicide” at the residence, but declined to give additional details.
Family statement: In a statement to the media, family members said the "are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time."
Keep reading... for what we know so far.
Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were found dead Sunday at their home in Brentwood. LAPD officials said they are investigating “an apparent homicide” at the residence, but declined to give additional details.
Authorities said early Monday they expect to release more information shortly. Overnight, L.A. County jail records now show the felony arrest of Nick Reiner, 32, the couple's son, who was arrested last night and booked into custody at 5:04 a.m. He is being held in lieu of $4 million bail. No initial court appearance was listed.
The deaths of his parents were confirmed in a statement released by the family to the media — and in social media posts by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday evening.
The family statement said: "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time."
A police officer blocks off a street near the Brentwood home of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer.
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Ethan Swope
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AP
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The Associated Press was among numerous media outlets reporting that sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said investigators believe the couple suffered stab wounds. The AP also reported the same source said investigators were questioning a family member.
Reiner, 78, became a household name playing Michael "Meathead" Stivic on TV’s All In The Family — but went on to eclipse that early success with a decades-long career in film. He directed dozens of movies including such legendary romantic comedies as When Harry Met Sally and The American President, as well as revived the art of the mockumentary with This Is Spinal Tap. Other beloved films include Stand By Me and The Princess Bride.
He was nominated for an Oscar for directing A Few Good Men.
Michele Singer Reiner, 68, was a photographer who met her husband while he was filming When Harry Met Sally. He said he changed the ending of the film after their meeting.
In addition to Nick, the couple have two other children together. Reiner was previously married to the late Penny Marshall and adopted her daughter.
Nick Reiner and his father had been open about Nick's addiction issues, which led to his first stint in rehab at age 15. In 2015, the father and son released the film Being Charlie directed by Rob Reiner co-written by Nick Reiner and Matt Elisofon. The film documents the addiction struggles of a young man with a prominent father. that they said was based on Nick's own experiences with drug addiction.
Reactions
Bass issued a statement calling the deaths "a devastating loss." She recalled Reiner for a career in Hollywood that spanned roles as an actor, director, producer and writer, but also as a political activist who "always used his gifts in service of others."
Reiner helped to create an early childhood education initiative — dubbed First 5 California — paid for by a tax on tobacco sales. He and his wife were also “true champions for LGBTQ+ rights,” Bass said.
Newsom also released a statement expressing heartbreak over the news, calling Reiner "the big-hearted genius behind so many of the classic stories we love."
He added: "That empathy extended well beyond his films. Rob was a passionate advocate for children and for civil rights — from taking on Big Tobacco to fighting for marriage equality to serving as a powerful voice in early education. He made California a better place through his good works."
Reiner’s father, comedy legend Carl Reiner, died at age 98 in 2020. When his father died, Rob Reiner called him "my guiding light."
This is a developing story. It will be updated as LAist learns more.
Listen
21:30
Rob Reiner talked to LAist's FilmWeek in September
Reiner, co-writer and director of "This is Spinal Tap" and "This is Spinal Tap II: The End Continues", talks about the classic mockumentary the and the unique task of continuing that legacy four decades later.
