Jamie Lee Curtis is keeping Rob and Michele Reiner’s children close as they navigate life without their parents. Nearly a year after the couple’s tragic deaths, the actress is opening up about supporting Jake and Romy Reiner, sharing how their families have leaned on one another through the heartbreak. And with Jake preparing to present her with an award named after his parents, Curtis wants their next gathering to make room for something beyond grief: celebrating the people they loved.
Jamie Lee Curtis Says The Reiners ‘Are Family’
For Curtis, showing up for Jake and Romy comes naturally. “Of course, I mean, we are family. Something like this brings people so much closer,” she told Extra.
The actress described how even sitting beside Jake can bring a wave of emotion, particularly when the conversation turns to his parents. “Like Jake and I were sitting shoulder-to-shoulder doing an interview,” she added. “And just feeling him there is emotional, and then of course him talking about his parents and their fantastic relationship.”
Curtis also made clear that the loss remains painfully fresh for those closest to the couple. “There hasn’t been a big public memorial yet, and so we’re all grieving,” she continued.
Their Friendship Went Far Beyond Hollywood
Curtis and the Reiners shared much more than an occasional red carpet reunion. Rob and Michele were godparents to Annie, Curtis’ daughter with husband Christopher Guest. Curtis and Guest also married at Rob’s home in 1984, giving the families decades of personal history together.
Their professional lives overlapped, too. Curtis and Rob played the parents of Zooey Deschanel’s Jess Day on “New Girl,” and both appeared on “The Bear.” Guest also collaborated with Rob on films including “This Is Spinal Tap” and The Princess Bride.
Honoring Rob Reiner At The Emmys Was Harder Than She Expected
In September, Curtis took the stage at the 2026 Emmy Awards to remember her longtime friends and celebrate Rob’s final acting achievement. “Last week, Robby won an Emmy for Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his beautiful work on ‘The Bear,’” she told the audience. “And he now holds the record, of 48 years, for the longest gap between acting Emmys, which was previously held by his father, Carl Reiner, at 37 years.”
Curtis remembered Rob as “generous and kind, and funny as hell and a friend to all,” adding, “and we all miss Rob and Michele and all those we lost this year,” she added.
But delivering that tribute came with emotions of her own. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Curtis said she “felt a responsibility to represent everyone – strangers, fans, colleagues, friends, close friends and family – in that moment at the Emmys. I was fine and happy to do it.”
Once she was in that moment, however, it proved “a little tougher than I anticipated” and “It was challenging enough to represent everyone and try to honor, in this case, particularly Rob’s passing, but I also have feelings of my own,” she explained.
Curtis And Christopher Guest Promised To Support The Children
Rob and Michele were found stabbed to death at their Brentwood home on December 14, 2025, according to the supplied reporting. In the immediate aftermath, Curtis and Guest released a joint statement expressing their devastation and making the couple’s children their priority.
“[We are] numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michele Singer Reiner and our ONLY focus and care right now is for their children and immediate families and we will offer all support possible to help them,” they said.
They also asked for space to process the loss before discussing their friends’ public legacies. “There will be plenty of time later to discuss the creative lives we shared and the great political and social impact they both had on the entertainment industry, early childhood development, the fight for gay marriage and their global care for a world in crisis,” they added. “We have lost great friends. Please give us time to grieve.”
Jake Reiner Will Present Curtis With A Meaningful Honor
Curtis is scheduled to receive the inaugural Michele and Rob Reiner Champion for Change Award at the Children’s Institute’s Cape & Gown Gala on November 8. Jake will present the award, making the occasion especially personal. The organization is led by Michele’s sister, Martine Singer, and was a cause close to the Reiners’ hearts. “The whole thing is filled with such sadness and disbelief and he loved them so much,” Curtis told Extra of Jake.
Still, she hopes the evening will celebrate the couple’s lives and give those who loved them a way to carry their work forward. “I want it to be joyful. I want it to be celebratory,” she said. “I wanted to be honoring it. It’s not a memorial. It is a moving forward together using their energy to inspire all of us.”
