Albert Brooks in Shock Over the Killing of ‘Oldest Friend’ Rob Reiner: ‘I’m Still in That Not Believing It Stage’

Albert Brooks is processing the loss of his longtime friend Rob Reiner.

“Rob was my oldest friend. It’s that simple,” said Brooks, 78, in the upcoming “CBS News: Rob Reiner – Scenes from a Life.” The one-hour special, airing on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 8:30 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+, follows the tragic loss of Rob and his wife, Michele Reiner, who were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday, Dec. 14.

“He’s the person that I’ve known the longest. I met him when I was 14 years old,” continued Brooks, who attended Beverly Hills High School with Rob. Of his loss, the actor-filmmaker added, “I’m still in that not believing it stage.”

Per CBS News, the special will also include “new, emotional interviews” featuring Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O’Connell and Mandy Patinkin about the This Is Spinal Tap director-star’s “extraordinary career and legacy.”

Albert Brooks and Rob Reiner, director during "Alex and Emma" - World Premiere, Hollywood - Red Carpet at Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, United States.
Albert Brooks and Rob Reiner in 2003.L. Cohen/WireImage

Rob, the son of Carl Reiner and Estelle Lebost, directed some of Hollywood’s most beloved films, from his 1984 directorial debut This Is Spinal Tap, to Stand by Me (1986), The Princess Bride (1987), When Harry Met Sally… (1989), Misery (1990) and A Few Good Men (1992).

Rob, 78, and Michele, 70, shared sons Jake and Nick and daughter Romy. Nick, 32, was arrested on Sunday and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with their deaths. He appeared in court on Wednesday, Dec. 17; his lawyer, Alan Jackson, declined to enter a plea for his client. His arraignment will take place on Jan. 7.

Brooks reported in his CBS News interview that there are moments he’s forgotten Rob has died. “I know it happened, but, you know, I’m driving around and all of a sudden — I actually two days ago, I called his number,” he recalled.

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The pals had sung each other’s praises in interviews throughout their decades-long friendship. “I’ve always looked up to you because in my mind nobody could do what you do,” Rob told Brooks on CBS Mornings in 2023. Of directing a documentary on his friend that year, Albert Brooks: Defending My Life, Rob told the outlet, “I knew all the things that Albert had done, I knew how brilliant he was. I wanted them to know.”

Rob Reiner, Michele Singer, Romy Reiner, Nick Reiner, Maria Gilfillan and Jake Reiner at "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" Premiere on September 09, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Rob Reiner, Michele Singer, Romy Reiner, Nick Reiner, Maria Gilfillan and Jake Reiner at “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” Premiere on September 09, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

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Jake, 34, and Romy, 28, spoke out about the “horrific and devastating loss” of their parents, Rob and Michele, in a statement shared on Wednesday. “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day.”