Albert Brooks Honors Late Friend Rob Reiner: ‘Still in Shock’
Albert Brooks, the renowned comedian and actor, expressed his profound grief over the recent passing of his longtime friend, Rob Reiner. Speaking in an interview with CBS News, Brooks shared, “Rob was my oldest friend. It’s that simple. He’s the person that I’ve known the longest.” Their friendship began at Beverly Hills High School, where they first met in a drama class at the age of 14. Brooks described his current emotional state as one of disbelief following Reiner’s tragic death.
Tragic Circumstances Surrounding Rob Reiner’s Death
Rob Reiner, along with his wife Michele, was found brutally murdered in their Los Angeles home on December 14, 2023. Authorities indicated that their son, Nick Reiner, faces first-degree murder charges in connection with their deaths. The shocking nature of the incident has left many, including Brooks, struggling to come to terms with the loss.
Reflections on Friendship
During their final moments together, Brooks and Reiner revisited their high school, a place filled with memories. In a December 2023 interview for “CBS Sunday Morning,” they reflected on their past while viewing the school’s Wall of Fame. “This is the first time both of us have been back since we graduated,” Reiner noted humorously. Brooks played along, adding, “Over a certain age, it’s against the law. Well, life works best when you remember.”
As they reminisced, they humorously pointed to a bench they used to frequent, joking, “It brings back no memories,” with Brooks echoing, “Nothing. Nothing.” Despite their mutual laughter, Brooks admitted that he still experiences moments of forgetting that his friend is gone. He recounted a recent instance, saying, “I actually two days ago, I called his number.”
Tribute Through Their Work
Rob Reiner directed the HBO documentary titled “Albert Brooks: Defending My Life,” which premiered in 2023. Prior to that, their only film collaboration had been in the 1999 movie “The Muse.” Reflecting on this collaboration, Reiner stated, “He hired me. He was nice enough to hire me,” to which Brooks humorously responded, “I was.”
Upcoming Tribute Special
To honor Rob Reiner’s legacy, CBS will air a special titled “CBS News: Rob Reiner – Scenes from a Life.” This one-hour program, featuring insights from Brooks and other friends, will be broadcast on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on CBS and will also be available for streaming on Paramount+.
