- - Mel Brooks Receives Support Following Death of Late Best Friend Carl Reiner’s Son

Jane LaCroixDecember 16, 2025 at 12:45 AM

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Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Fans are sending an outpouring of love to Mel Brooks following the tragic death of filmmaker Rob Reiner—a loss that hits especially close to home given Mel’s lifelong friendship with Rob’s father, comedy icon Carl Reiner.

As The Guardian once reported in December 2021, the two comedy legends spent their final years maintaining a simple, sacred ritual: nightly dinners at Carl’s Beverly Hills home followed by watching Jeopardy! together. Just two men who had shaped American comedy for decades, still laughing side by side and still showing up for each other.

Sadly, Carl died in June 2020 at age 98, a loss Mel, 99, openly grieved. Now, five years later, fans are struggling to process the cruel symmetry of the filmmaker having to mourn his best friend’s son, Rob—a tragedy many are calling unimaginable.

In the days since the news broke of Rob and his wife’s death, social media has been flooded with messages of sympathy directed at Mel.

“My heart is sick for Mel Brooks too. So tragic…For those who don’t know, Carl Reiner was his best friend for most of their lives. He buried him five years ago. Now, tragically, he has to bury his best friend’s son,” one fan shared on Threads.

Another Threads user replied, “Mel Brooks helped finance "This is Spinal Tap" when Carl refused. Mel and Carl spent everyday together, so I would imagine this is like losing a nephew for Mel.”

READ MORE: Rob Reiner Reportedly Had ‘Loud Argument’ With Son Nick At Conan O’Brien’s Christmas Party 1 Day Before MurdersAnother said, “He was the 1st person I thought of,” while a fourth stated, “Yes, I am glad that his father did not have to live through this tragedy though.

Rob, 78, and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were found dead inside their Los Angeles-area home on Sunday, December 14. Law enforcement officials have confirmed that an investigation is ongoing, and no official cause of death has been publicly finalized. Their son, Nick Reiner, has been taken into custody for questioning in connection with the case.

Reiner leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of his own. He first became a household name portraying Mike “Meathead” Stivic on All in the Family, the groundbreaking sitcom created by Norman Learthat also starred his father. He later cemented his place in film history as the director of classics including Stand by Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally…, Misery, and A Few Good Men.

At this time, Mel has not publicly commented on the loss.

This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 15, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”