Before Nick Reiner was detained in connection with the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Singer Reiner, he had openly discussed how his addiction affected their relationship over time.
Family Background
Rob and Michele, married since 1989, had three children: Jake, Nick, and Romy. Rob also adopted Tracy, the daughter of his ex-wife Penny Marshall. Nick’s battle with substance abuse began in his teenage years, leading to his first rehabilitation at 15. Despite multiple relapses, Nick found himself living on the streets.
Struggles with Homelessness
Nick recounted to People in 2016, “I was homeless in Maine, New Jersey, and Texas. I spent nights and weeks on the street. It was not fun. If I wanted to do it my way and not follow their program suggestions, I had to be homeless.”
Rob Reiner, known for directing The Princess Bride, and his wife Michele were discovered deceased in their Brentwood, Los Angeles home on December 14. Rob was 78 and is survived by four children.
Creative Collaboration
After overcoming his addiction, Nick drew from his experiences to co-write the film Being Charlie in 2015, directed by Rob. The film explored a family’s struggle with a son’s addiction, with Cary Elwes and Nick Robinson portraying the father and son, respectively.
During the film’s promotion in 2016, Rob described the experience as “therapeutic,” while Nick chose not to comment on their relationship status. Rob acknowledged their disagreements, stating, “At times it was really rough working on the film.” Nick admitted, “Sometimes it would get overwhelming for me.”
Rob expressed that their relationship improved, saying, “By the time we made the movie, our relationship had gotten much closer.”
Tragic Events
In December 2025, Rob and Michele were found dead from apparent stab wounds. Us Weekly confirmed Nick’s arrest on a murder charge. A family spokesperson stated, “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss and ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
Reflections on Homelessness
Nick shared in 2015 how his time on the streets could have been fatal, describing it as “luck” that he survived. He mentioned undergoing 17 rehab stints before achieving sobriety, stating, “That made me who I am now.”
Rob Reiner’s Changed Perspective
Rob reflected on the difficulty of reliving painful memories while making the film, acknowledging that rehab doesn’t work for everyone.
Attempts to Reconcile
Rob and Michele regretted not listening to Nick during his struggles. Rob admitted, “We listened to people with diplomas rather than our son.” Michele added, “We were influenced by professionals who labeled him a liar.”
Nick later explained his decision to get clean, saying, “I come from a nice family. I’m not supposed to be out there doing all these things.”
Father-Son Relationship
Nick revealed they didn’t bond much during his childhood, as they had different interests. However, working on Being Charlie allowed him to appreciate his father’s expertise in filmmaking.
Rob noted that collaborating on the film improved their relationship, saying, “It made me understand him more and hopefully made me a better father.”
Conclusion
Despite their challenges, Rob and Nick sought to strengthen their bond through shared projects, ultimately aiming for a better father-son relationship.
