It was a sign everyone missed – or chose to ignore. A close family friend of Hollywood legend Rob Reiner has spoken out for the first time about a disturbing incident from Nick Reiner’s childhood, revealing violent outbursts that required physical restraint as early as age 11. The revelation comes in the wake of the devastating double murder of Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, 70, allegedly at the hands of their 32-year-old son Nick.
The unnamed friend, who claims to have known Nick his entire life, told the Daily Mail about a chilling episode in the early 2000s: “I was over there, it must have been early 2000s because he was about 11, and he was throwing the biggest tantrum, and Reiner just had him in a bear hug to restrain him.” The friend described Nick’s rages as frequent and intense, with “so much anger in his eyes” even as a child. “It did get physical sometimes — I’m not talking punches, but restraining him,” the source added, noting these outbursts continued into his adulthood.
Nick Reiner, charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances, allegedly stabbed his parents to death in their luxurious Brentwood home on December 14. The bodies were discovered by their daughter Romy, 27, after a massage therapist raised the alarm over a missed appointment. Nick was arrested hours later near USC, about 15 miles away, without incident.
Prosecutors allege the killings occurred in the early morning hours, possibly following a heated argument between Rob and Nick at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party the night before. Guests reportedly noticed Nick acting erratically – scruffy, withdrawn, and disruptive – with one source recalling him interrupting conversations and drawing uneasy stares.
Nick’s long battle with addiction and mental health has been well-documented. He entered rehab as young as 15, cycling through 18 programs, periods of homelessness, and relapses involving cocaine, heroin, and meth. In a 2018 podcast appearance on “Dopey,” Nick openly discussed destroying the family guesthouse in a drug-fueled rage: “I started with the TV and then I went over to the lamp… just everything in the guest house got wrecked.” He lived in that guesthouse at the time of the murders.
Rob and Michele poured resources into helping their son. They co-created the 2015 film “Being Charlie,” loosely based on Nick’s struggles, as a form of therapy. Rob called it healing, but insiders say the couple “babied” Nick, frustrating siblings Jake, 34, and Romy. Michele had grown increasingly worried about his mental health in recent weeks, with sources revealing Nick was prescribed schizophrenia medication.
The family friend painted a picture of a deeply troubled child who “never outgrew” his tantrums. “He had tantrums in his 20s,” the source said, adding Nick often “grunted” during arguments and resisted help, leading to physical interventions. The friend claimed Rob and Michele’s intense focus on Nick irritated his siblings, who felt overlooked.
Former colleagues have echoed red flags. A “Family Guy” production assistant, where Rob pulled strings for Nick’s internship, described him as “dark, twisted” and “rough,” with little responsibility given due to concerns.
Siblings Jake and Romy broke their silence in a statement: “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain… They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.” They asked for privacy and compassion, urging remembrance of their parents’ love and legacy.
Rob Reiner, iconic for directing classics like “When Harry Met Sally,” “The Princess Bride,” and “Stand by Me,” rose from “Meathead” on “All in the Family.” Michele, a photographer-turned-producer, spotted on the set of one of his films, influenced the happy ending of “When Harry Met Sally.” The couple, married 36 years, were Democratic activists.
Tributes flooded in from stars like Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal, and Viola Davis. Former presidents Bill and Hillary Clinton called them “good, generous people.”
Nick appeared in court December 17 in a suicide prevention vest, waiving speedy arraignment. His high-profile attorney, Alan Jackson (who represented Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein), called it a “devastating tragedy” with “complex and serious issues,” urging no rush to judgment.
Prosecutors are reviewing the death penalty, though California’s moratorium applies. If convicted, Nick faces life without parole or death.
The childhood incident raises haunting questions: Was this the overlooked shadow of deeper issues? The friend suggested the Reiners’ enabling prolonged the problems. “They babied him,” the source said.
As Hollywood mourns, the tragedy highlights addiction’s toll on families. Rob once said of “Being Charlie”: “It was intense.” Now, the real-life story ends in unimaginable horror.
Nick remains in custody without bail. Arraignment is set for January 7. The overlooked signs from decades ago cast a long shadow over a family shattered.
