Rob Reiner’s Legacy

Written by Mitch Santell

By Mitch Santell

The death of Rob and Michele Reiner has sent shockwaves throughout Hollywood over the hours and days since their death on December 14, 2025.

My heart aches for their children. In the natural order of things, you will always bury your parents first, and to have your own parents leave this world in this way is horrific.

Statements have been made by Mr. Reiner’s children as follows:

“Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,” Jake and Romy Reiner said in a statement released by a family spokesperson on Wednesday. “The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.”

To me, there is something very sacred about protecting your family’s Legacy, and it is not for the faint of heart.

You’ll meet a lot of people along the way. Some will get you, some won’t, so what.

Hollywood is in deep shock over the events of December 14th, and I can’t imagine how horrific the court trial will be.

Why? 

OMG, Rob Reiner’s children are going to have to relive the death of their own parents in court. How tragic is that?

As I quietly reflect on the events of the past 4 days, it reminds me of the Legacy we leave behind for our children and our grandchildren.

The worst tragedy that I have witnessed in my own life is when a parent has to bury a child. This is not fun and is not the natural order of things.

The second-worst tragedy that I have witnessed in my life is when a child turns against their own parents and decides to destroy their reputation.

Be very careful of this. I’ve watched this for many years.

The answer is simple: It all comes down to Jealousy and Envy.

There is a life we learn with and a life we live with. You can’t change your past, you can’t predict the future, and all you do is Be Here Now or as my #1 Best Friend Bruce E. Singer used to say: “Be here now or as soon as you can!”

The third most tragic thing that I have witnessed in my life is when a person does not get to full their own dreams. Everyone around them says, “Not You, Not Now, Can’t Happen, Won’t Work.

Please block or delete their phone number right away!

Why does this happen?

The answer is simple: It all comes down to envy and jealousy.

There is a life we learn with and a life we live with. You can’t change your past, you can’t predict the future, and all you do is Be Here Now or as my #1 Best Friend Bruce E. Singer used to say: “Be here now or as soon as you can!”

The third most tragic thing that I have witnessed in my life is when a person does not fulfill their own dreams. Everyone around them says, “Not You, Not Now, Can’t Happen, Won’t Work.

Please block or delete their phone number right away!

Drug addict culture is almost “romanticized” by Hollywood. From my perspective? If you tell me what drug someone is addicted to, I can openly tell you how they move in the world.

While I can’t say what the pain feels like for Rob Reiner’s Children, I can openly tell you I witnessed the same thing.

My 3rd cousin Michael Slater was probably the most brilliant medical mind I ever met. He easily had a 180+ IQ; the guy was a genius.

Michael was in the military, became addicted to pharmaceutical drugs and later became a major cocaine addict.

While he was a cocaine addict he ended up killing a friend of his and as a result was in prison for over 20+ years, finally got out because of a “technical glitch” in the prison system and was able to reconnect with his Mom and Sister.

After being released from prison, shortly after he was in a terrible car accident and lived in a medically induced coma for 18 months until he was “unplugged.”

I know why Michael Slater became the way he was. It is not appropriate to share that story now, and in the days and weeks ahead, I’ll share it all. 

For those who were around Rob Reiner’s son who killed his own parents, especially after being at a Christmas party, there must be a level of pain that can’t be described.

I love you Rob Reiner. I miss you. You played a huge role in Hollywood making it a better place and the most important “ship” that we board in this life is called a “relationship.” You may not remember, but I met you in person, not once but twice. Thanks for just being YOU!