Jamie Lee Curtis has spoken about the profound connection she shares with Romy and Jake Reiner, the children of her late friends Rob and Michele Reiner, as the one-year anniversary of their deaths approaches. The actress discussed her role in supporting the young adults during an interview with Extra.
Rob and Michele Reiner were found fatally stabbed in their Brentwood home on December 14, 2025. Their son, Nick Reiner, who lived in a guesthouse on the property, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and is awaiting trial. Curtis stated that the tragedy has brought those close to the family even closer, telling Extra, "Of course, I mean, we are family. Something like this brings people so much closer."
Curtis, who has a long-standing friendship with the Reiners, shared that she and Jake have been offering each other support, noting, "Like Jake and I were sitting shoulder-to-shoulder doing an interview…. and just feeling him there is emotional, and then of course him talking about his parents and their fantastic relationship."
She further explained that the grieving process is ongoing, particularly as a large public memorial has not yet occurred. "There hasn't been a big public memorial yet, and so we're all grieving," Curtis said.
The actress has honored her late friends on several occasions. In September 2026, she delivered an emotional tribute at the Emmy Awards for Rob Reiner, who posthumously won an Emmy for his performance in "The Bear." Curtis recalled telling Reiner he should accept the role, adding, "I didn't know how that character was going to fit in or who he would be, because obviously I didn't know any of that."
Curtis and her husband, Christopher Guest, had a deep connection with Rob and Michele Reiner. The couple were godparents to Guest and Curtis's daughter, Annie, and Guest had collaborated with Rob Reiner on numerous projects, including "This Is Spinal Tap" and "The Princess Bride."
At the time of the Reiners' deaths, Curtis and Guest released a joint statement expressing their shock and grief, emphasizing their immediate focus on supporting the children. "There will be plenty of time later to discuss the creative lives we shared and the great political and social impact they both had on the entertainment industry, early childhood development, the fight for gay marriage and their global care for a world in crisis," the statement read.
Curtis is scheduled to receive the inaugural Michele and Rob Reiner Champion for Change Award on November 8 at the Cape & Gown Gala, hosted by the Children's Institute. The award will be presented to her by Jake Reiner. Curtis hopes the event will be a celebration of the Reiners' legacy, rather than solely a memorial. "I want it to be joyful. I want it to be celebratory. I wanted to be honoring it. It's not a memorial. It is a moving forward together using their energy to inspire all of us."
