Rob Reiner, the son of a comedy giant who became one himself with movies such as "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally…" and "This is Spinal Tap," is being remembered for his iconic contributions to entertainment following the shocking news of his death.Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele Singer, were found dead Sunday at their home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, sources told CBS News.Police called it an "apparent homicide.""It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner.
We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time," their family said in a statement obtained by Variety and other outlets.Robert Reiner was born in the Bronx on March 6, 1947.As a young man, he set out to follow in his father's footsteps into entertainment.
He studied at the University of California, Los Angeles film school and, in the 1960s, began appearing in small parts in various television shows.Reiner grew up thinking his father, Carl Reiner, didn't understand him or find him funny.But the younger Reiner would in many ways follow his father's footsteps, working both in front and behind the camera.
"My father thought, 'Oh, my God, this poor kid is worried about being in the shadow of a famous father,'" Reiner told "60 Minutes" earlier this year, recalling the temptation to change his name."And he says, 'What do you want to change your name to?' And I said, 'Carl.' I just wanted to be like him."He added, "Norman Lear was the first person that got me.
I mean, I was playing jacks with his daughter.Norman says to my dad, 'You know, this kid is really funny.' And I think my dad said, 'What? That kid?' That kid? He's ...
sullen, he sits quiet.He doesn't-- you know, he's not funny.'"After starting out as a writer for "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," Reiner's breakthrough came when he was, at age 23, cast by producer and family friend Norman Lear in "All in ...