Legendary Hollywood film-maker and actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele have been found dead in their Los Angeles home.
Authorities are investigating the incident as an apparent homicide after police and firefighters were called to the couple’s house on Sunday afternoon in an upmarket neighbourhood of LA.
Reiner is known for directing classic films in a variety of genres, including When Harry Met Sally, This is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, Misery and A Few Good Men.
A family spokesperson confirmed the couple’s death in a statement to US media. Tributes have arrived from major Hollywood figures as well as prominent Democratic politicians including Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner,” the family statement said. “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”
Police said a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the home, but officers did not immediately identify the couple or the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Police also said no-one had been arrested, but that no suspect or person of interest was currently being sought.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department told the BBC they received a call at about 15:38 local time (23:38 GMT) for medical aid to a home in Brentwood, a neighbourhood that is home to many celebrities.
Robbery homicide detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) also responded to the home and have opened a homicide investigation.
In a news conference on Sunday night, the LAPD did not offer any details about the deaths or what they found when they responded.
Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said both bodies were still inside the house, more than six hours after police and firefighters had been called.
Sunday night’s police press conference also did not yield any details about any injuries the pair sustained, nor if any weapon was found or used. Hamilton said a cause of death would be determined by the LA coroner’s office.
Reiner, the son of comedy great Carl Reiner, started his career in the 1960s and made it big playing Meathead in groundbreaking TV sitcom All in The Family in the 1970s.
The programme was a US remake of British comedy Till Death Us Do Part, and scored him two Emmy Awards.
Reiner achieved futher success with cult mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap in 1984, which he directed as well as playing on-screen director Marty DiBergi.
That began a run of classic Hollywood movies directed by Reiner, including Stand By Me (1986), The Princess Bride (1987), When Harry Met Sally (1989), Misery (1990) and A Few Good Men (1992), the latter of which scored him an Academy Award nomination for best picture.
He reunited with Spinal Tap for long-awaited sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, which was released in September.
As an actor, he also appeared in The Wolf of Wall Street, Postcards from the Edge and Bullets Over Broadway, as well as TV shows including New Girl and The Bear. (BBC News)
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