Mel Brooks says Carl Reiner would not have 'survived' son Rob Reiner's murder
- - Mel Brooks says Carl Reiner would not have 'survived' son Rob Reiner's murder
Bryan Alexander, USA TODAYJanuary 21, 2026 at 6:56 AM
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LOS ANGELES — Mel Brooks has spoken out on the murder of Rob Reiner, saying the tragic killing would have devastated his best friend — Rob's father, and Brooks’ fellow comedy legend — the late Carl Reiner.
Speaking at the Jan. 20 premiere of the upcoming documentary "Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!," Brooks, 99, somberly expressed relief that Carl Reiner, who died in 2020 at age 98, was not alive to see Rob Reiner and wife, Michele Singer Reiner, killed on Dec. 14.
"Anyway, with Carl, with what's happened, I'm glad that he passed away when he did," Brooks said during a Q&A with Judd Apatow. "He never could have survived this terrible, terrible thing."
"I loved him. I loved Carl," Brooks added.
Nick Reiner has been charged with the double-murder of his parents and is due back in court on Feb. 23.
Mel Brooks speaks onstage during the LA premiere of "Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!" at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on January 20.
Rob Reiner's posthumous appearance In Mel Brooks HBO documentary is profound
Rob Reiner speaks about Carl Reiner in Mel Brooks' documentary
Rob Reiner makes a posthumous interview appearance in "The 99-Year-Old Man!," the two-part documentary premiering Jan. 22 and 23 on HBO (8 ET/PT), directed by Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio.
In the documentary, Rob Reiner talks about meeting Brooks for the first time at age four when the comedy writer slept over at the family's home. Brooks became a fixture at the Reiner household thereafter.
Judd Apatow and Mel Brooks speak onstage during the LA premiere of "Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!" at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on January 20.
The son also speaks about how Carl Reiner would play the straight man in sketches with Brooks, such as their famed "The 2000 Year Old Man" routine.
"My father was like a second banana. He never felt like he needed to be the star," Rob Reiner says in the documentary. "He would push Mel into a corner that would make Mel explode with creativity and humor."
Brooks, who lost his father at age two to tuberculosis, revered the older Carl Reiner.
Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were killed Dec. 14.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were killed Dec. 14.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YDHmlQh5m_yjYdxWl6KWNQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8dd98d793b925c4b2650d5967da00369 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were killed Dec. 14.
">Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were killed Dec. 14.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YDHmlQh5m_yjYdxWl6KWNQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8dd98d793b925c4b2650d5967da00369 class=caas-img>Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/U3Ye9f1r_f2LW.1GmX_DQQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjU2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b2e53cb5acf98c74c750d0175a299e70 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood.
">Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/U3Ye9f1r_f2LW.1GmX_DQQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjU2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b2e53cb5acf98c74c750d0175a299e70 class=caas-img>Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/u9F1CV9MIz3.PU39Y2xTaw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODA2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3173d2ab6e96c4725d6c2c605ff9dc06 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas.
">Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/u9F1CV9MIz3.PU39Y2xTaw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODA2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3173d2ab6e96c4725d6c2c605ff9dc06 class=caas-img>Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A..
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6UjUKoeUJZOxKsn6eWnjmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzA5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cbe08129f0fbdebfd7b9e070df8921b4 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A..
">Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A..
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6UjUKoeUJZOxKsn6eWnjmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzA5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cbe08129f0fbdebfd7b9e070df8921b4 class=caas-img>
Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/35Xr05pN18PokNnjx_CTVQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/345e40b086a686df1dc3367249e8ec4c class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005.
">Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/35Xr05pN18PokNnjx_CTVQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/345e40b086a686df1dc3367249e8ec4c class=caas-img>Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/SY32lULpXWLH3ehAwhx43Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/62ee04a3d844adaf4c222c4e04537fe0 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles.
">Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/SY32lULpXWLH3ehAwhx43Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/62ee04a3d844adaf4c222c4e04537fe0 class=caas-img>Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer Reiner and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/s.h5kro5vq1bTvKLUQvtwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2c08b2f64fe1ddda9342788bb8e8ab87 class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer Reiner and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
">Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer Reiner and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/s.h5kro5vq1bTvKLUQvtwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2c08b2f64fe1ddda9342788bb8e8ab87 class=caas-img>
Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G_NmjSQkPS19p9n12_yLaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzM2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7762e68d6ca090a14dc617ed1bb3aba class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A.
">Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G_NmjSQkPS19p9n12_yLaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzM2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7762e68d6ca090a14dc617ed1bb3aba class=caas-img>Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0fYwBrY36fYaOZUdVo.iwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f08197fdd1474cfd25b6da2bf3b0a1c class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A.
">Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0fYwBrY36fYaOZUdVo.iwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f08197fdd1474cfd25b6da2bf3b0a1c class=caas-img>Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VQiHiLNJ.BBtg2fAx7N6aA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f28db606b3e207679f84f9983fcc83d class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.
">Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VQiHiLNJ.BBtg2fAx7N6aA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f28db606b3e207679f84f9983fcc83d class=caas-img>Rob, Michele and daughter Romy at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OO6_Z54ACdIvNr5tTorbTg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b7a6b41c7a09c971795ffdf60f5f170c class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Rob, Michele and daughter Romy at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland.
">Rob, Michele and daughter Romy at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OO6_Z54ACdIvNr5tTorbTg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b7a6b41c7a09c971795ffdf60f5f170c class=caas-img>Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zgrDP_ttW5RFQKesbCutlQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/91f165bd34760c3418fec3032d731d8b class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A.
">Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zgrDP_ttW5RFQKesbCutlQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/91f165bd34760c3418fec3032d731d8b class=caas-img>Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BtTaGEP0Ciec2Bt900di7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e5bacb6f4b9fe61034c80cd87b76e41d class=caas-img data-headline="See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family" data-caption="
Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City.
">Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BtTaGEP0Ciec2Bt900di7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e5bacb6f4b9fe61034c80cd87b76e41d class=caas-img>
1 / 16See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family
Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were killed Dec. 14.
"I always thought that, even though Mel was only like four years younger than my dad, he looked to my dad as a father figure," Rob Reiner says in the documentary.
Speaking at the premiere, Brooks called Carl Reiner, "the sweetest man that ever lived."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mel Brooks breaks silence on Rob Reiner's death, impact on Carl Reiner
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
