‘We Will Miss Him Terribly’: The Actress Meg Ryan Shares Emotional Tribute to Rob Reiner

The actress Meg Ryan has shared a moving homage to the departed filmmaker Rob Reiner, who was her director in the iconic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally.

A Devastating Incident

Reiner was found dead with his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, at their Los Angeles home over the weekend.

“Oh how we will miss this man…” Ryan shared on Instagram, accompanying a photo of them together. “Thank you, Rob and Michelle [sic], for the way you believe in true love, in fairy tales, and in laughter. We appreciate your faith in human goodness and your deep patriotism.”

Legal Proceedings Unfold

Reiner’s son Nick, 32, faces two counts of first-degree murder and was in court today. He’s being incarcerated with no bail set. Reports indicate that Reiner’s daughter Romy was the one who located her father.

“I have to believe that their story will not end with this impossible tragedy, that some good may come, some awareness raised,” Ryan continued. “While uncertain, I suspect they'd wish for a hopeful, compassionate outcome that fosters mutual understanding and peace.”

Family Members Issue a Message

Reiner’s surviving children Jake and Romy shared a statement today. “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,” they said. “Losing our parents in such a horrific way is a devastation beyond comprehension. Beyond being our mom and dad, they were our dearest friends.”

Peers Pay Their Respects

Ryan’s co-star, Billy Crystal, similarly honored Reiner with a statement shared yesterday alongside tributes from Larry David, Martin Short and Albert Brooks.

“No one matched his comic instinct, his dedication to rhythmic dialogue, or his elegant sharpening of drama,” the tribute noted. “For the actors, he loved them. For the writers he made them better. Freedom was his key offering. He listened to ideas and included you in the creative journey. 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.”

A Lasting Cinematic Legacy

When Harry Met Sally was a box office and critical triumph in 1989, grossing more than $93 million worldwide and earning Nora Ephron an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay.

Rob Reiner first encountered Michele Singer Reiner while making When Harry Met Sally. The pair were connected through Barry Sonnenfeld, a fellow filmmaker and pal.

Reiner’s celebrated filmography comprised classics such as Misery, Stand by Me and The Princess Bride. The director and his wife were together in marriage for 36 years.

Nathan Smith
Nathan Smith

Data scientist with over a decade of experience in transforming raw data into actionable business insights across multiple industries.