Meg Ryan breaks silence on Rob Reiner murder after When Harry Met Sally co-star Billy Crystal’s tearful dash to crime scene
Meg Ryan has paid an emotional tribute to her When Harry Met Sally director Rob Reiner days after he and his wife were murdered.
The actress, who starred alongside Billy Crystal in the 1989 romance comedy, lauded the couple, addressing the ‘impossible tragedy.’
Alongside a photo of her and Reiner dancing on set, Ryan wrote: ‘Oh how we will miss this man…
‘Thank you, Rob and Michele, for the way you believe in true love, in fairy tales, and in laughter. Thank you for your faith in the best in people, and for your profound love of our country.’
The Hollywood icon, 78, and his wife, Michele, 70, were both found dead with their throats slit in their Los Angeles mansion on Sunday – with Crystal, 77, seen weeping at the crime scene.
Their troubled son Nick was arrested in connection with the murders later that day. He has since been charged with two counts of first-degree murder – if convicted, the 32-year-old could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
Meg Ryan has paid an emotional tribute to her When Harry Met Sally director Rob Reiner days after his murder
Reiner’s son Nick Reiner (right with his father in 2016) has been charged with two counts of first degree murder
Ryan added: ‘I have to believe that their story will not end with this impossible tragedy, that some good may come, some awareness raised… I don’t know, but my guess is that they would want that to be hopeful and humane, to be something that brings us all to a greater understanding of one another and to some peace.’
Her co-star Crystal also paid tribute to his close friend Reiner.
The star was seen with his wife Janice outside the Reiners’ LA mansion on Sunday after being called to the home by the couple’s daughter, Romy, who found her parents’ bodies.
Crystal, 77, was seen wiping away tears as he left after seeing the bodies while law enforcement descended on the location.
Crystal joined with other notable comedy legends and stars in a statement shared with the Associated Press on Tuesday evening.
‘There is no other director who has his range.’
The statement paid homage to Reiner’s incredible film career as well as to his ‘special’ 36-year marriage to ‘perfect partner’ Michele, with whom he had three children.
‘Going to the movies in a dark theater filled with strangers having a common experience, laughing, crying, screaming in fear, or watching an intense drama unfold is still an unforgettable thrill,’ the statement began.
Ryan and Crystal are seen with Reiner at the When Harry Met Sally 30-year anniversary screening in 2019
Ryan made a vow to Reiner that ‘this isn’t the end’ in her message
Nick, who lived in his parents’ guest house, was arrested for allegedly fatally stabbing them in their bed on Sunday night; Rob and Michele pictured in March 2025
Reiner and Crystal had a decades-long friendship – seen with Ryan in When Harry Met Sally
Crystal has also broken his silence on the tragic deaths of close friend Reiner and his wife Michele; Reiner and Crystal seen in September 2025
Crystal was seen with his wife Janice outside the Reiners’ LA mansion on Sunday after being called to the home by the couple’s daughter Romy who found her parents’ bodies
‘Tell us a story audiences demand of us. Absorbing all he had learned from his father Carl and his mentor Norman Lear, Rob Reiner not only was a great comic actor, he became a master storyteller. There is no other director who has his range.
‘From comedy to drama to ‘mockumentary’ to documentary, he was always at the top of his game. He charmed audiences. They trusted him. They lined up to see his films,’ the statement continued.
‘His comedic touch was beyond compare, his love of getting the music of the dialogue just right, and his sharpening of the edge of a drama was simply elegant. For the actors, he loved them. For the writers, he made them better. His greatest gift was freedom. If you had an idea, he listened, he brought you into the process. They always felt they were working as a team.
‘To be in his hands as a filmmaker was a privilege but that is only part of his legacy.’
The friends went on to describe the late director as ‘a passionate, brave citizen, who not only cared for this country he loved, he did everything he could to make it better and with his loving wife Michele, he had the perfect partner.
Nick Reiner is depicted in court on Wednesday wearing an anti-suicide vest
‘Strong and determined, Michele and Rob Reiner devoted a great deal of their lives for the betterment of our fellow citizens… They were a special force together – dynamic, unselfish and inspiring. We were their friends, and we will miss them forever.
The heartfelt statement ended with a poignant quote from one of Reiner’s favorite films.
‘There is a line from one of Rob’s favorite films, It’s a Wonderful Life.
“Each man’s life touches so many other lives, and when he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” You have no idea.’
On Wednesday, Reiner’s son Nick Reiner made his first court appearance on homicide charges for his parents’ double murder.
He was seen in jeans and an anti-suicide vest without a shirt underneath during his appearance at Los Angeles Superior Court. He did not enter a plea and his arraignment has been continued until January 7.
When judge asked Reiner if he agreed to to waive his right to a speedy arraignment, he said: ‘Yes, your honor.’
Nick’s lawyer, Alan Jackson, made a statement to the public saying that there were ‘very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case,’ and asked that ‘throughout this process you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed to move forward, not with a rush to judgment.’
Nick has since been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killings of his Hollywood legend father and photographer mother.
Prosecutors added special circumstances of multiple murders and use of a dangerous weapon, a knife.
