As Hollywood reels from the brutal deaths of legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, one man who knew their son, Nick Reiner, personally, is opening up about his disturbing past.
David Manheim, creator and host of the “Dopey Podcast,” spoke out this week about his experience with Nick, who appeared on the show in 2018 and openly discussed destroying his parents’ guesthouse while high on drugs.
“The last time he called in, he spoke about being on coke and violently destroying his parents’ guesthouse,” Manheim told Us Weekly. “But still, that is not the same as violence towards another person. He never struck me as someone who was capable of murder.”
Nick, now 32, is facing two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his father, Rob, 78, and mother, Michele, 70, after they were found with “apparent stab wounds” at their Brentwood home on Sunday, December 14.
Nick Reiner is charged in connection with the murder of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner. Credit: Michael Buckner / Getty
Their daughter, Romy, reportedly discovered the bodies after a massage therapist was unable to reach them.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later confirmed both died from “multiple sharp force injuries” and ruled their deaths homicides.
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer were found dead on December 14. Credit: David Livingston / Getty
A drug-fueled past
Manheim recalled Nick’s podcast episode vividly. At the time, the screenwriter candidly detailed a drug-fueled outburst that turned violent.
“I went 10 rounds in my guest house,” Nick said. “It’s not much of a story. I got totally spun out on uppers - I think it was coke and something else - and I was up for days on end. I started punching out some things in my guest house.
“Everything in the guest house got wrecked,” he added. “I literally punched the TV.”
Manheim believes the rage stemmed from deeper personal struggles. “He seemed to bounce around between a bunch of treatments, so he was resentful of that,” he said. “I think it’s very common [for addicts] to have animosity towards their parents.”
He described Nick as young, vulnerable, and weighed down by the expectations of being raised in a Hollywood dynasty.
“There is a whole scene of the children of these giants in Hollywood,” Manheim said. “All of the biggest names in Hollywood had kids, and those kids went out together. Some of them wound up drug addicts, and some of them just partied.
"And when you become a drug addict, you’re not just partying anymore. You’re on this ridiculous, crazy mission [to do drugs]," he added.
Manheim last heard from Nick in 2018, after asking if Rob could call into the show. “He got kind of annoyed at me. And then I’ve never heard from him again,” he said, adding that he texted Nick “between five and 25 times a year” since.
The LAPD confirmed that Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were found dead in their Brentwood home. Credit: Mario Tama / Getty
Nick Reiner now faces life behind bars - or worse
Following his arrest on December 14, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced during a press conference that Nick is facing either life without parole or the death penalty if foun.
A decision on capital punishment has not been made yet, with Hochman saying the “wishes and perspectives” of surviving family members will be considered.
Nick’s high-profile attorney, Alan Jackson, confirmed that his arraignment is scheduled for January 7, 2026. Speaking outside court, Jackson described the case as “a devastating tragedy” and emphasized that “complex and serious issues” must be carefully examined, per Page Six.
“This is a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family,” Jackson said. “There are very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case, and they need to be examined carefully and thoroughly.”
Rob Reiner and Michele shared three children. Credit: Michael Loccisano / Getty
Rob and Michele’s loved ones released a statement through a family spokesperson: “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.”
In a follow-up joint statement, Romy and Jake described the deaths as “horrific and devastating” and asked for “compassion and respect” as they grieve. Notably, Nick was not mentioned.