‘Still in Disbelief’: Albert Brooks Mourns the Tragic Loss of His Lifelong Friend Rob Reiner

Rob Reiner’s death has sent shockwaves through the entertainment community. Among those most deeply affected is Albert Brooks, who is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his closest friend. Brooks, 78, shared that the reality of Reiner’s passing has yet to sink in fully.

He speaks candidly in the upcoming CBS special, “CBS News: Rob Reiner – Scenes From a Life,” reflecting on a friendship that began in their teenage years and endured for more than six decades.

Albert Brooks Remembers ‘My Oldest Friend’

“Rob was my oldest friend. It’s that simple,” Brooks said in the special.

“He’s the person that I’ve known the longest. I met him when I was 14 years old,” he continued, recalling how they attended Beverly Hills High School together.

Brooks described his grief in raw terms, adding, “I’m still in that not believing it stage.”

A Loss That Still Doesn’t Feel Real

Brooks admitted there are moments when the reality of Reiner’s death slips from his mind.

“I know it happened, but, you know, I’m driving around and all of a sudden — I actually two days ago, I called his number,” he said.

The comment underscored the depth of their bond, one that endured decades of collaboration, admiration, and personal connection.

Inside the CBS Tribute Honoring Rob Reiner

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The one-hour special, airing Sunday, December 21 at 8:30 p.m. ET and 8:00 p.m. PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+, features new interviews with Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O’Connell, and Mandy Patinkin.

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According to CBS News, the program explores Reiner’s “extraordinary career and legacy,” blending personal reflections with archival interviews, including Reiner speaking in his own words.

Reiner directed some of Hollywood’s most enduring films, including “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Stand by Me,” “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally…,” “Misery” and “A Few Good Men.”

A Friendship Built on Mutual Respect and Admiration

The affection between Brooks and Reiner was mutual and well-documented. In a 2023 appearance on “CBS Mornings,” Reiner told Brooks, “I’ve always looked up to you because in my mind nobody could do what you do.”

That same year, Reiner directed the documentary “Albert Brooks: Defending My Life.” Reflecting on the project, Reiner said, “I knew all the things that Albert had done; I knew how brilliant he was. I wanted them to know.”

ABC has confirmed the news that Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele, were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday, December 14. The BBC confirmed that their son, Nick, 32, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He appeared in court on Wednesday, December 17, and is scheduled to be arraigned on January 7.

In a statement published by Variety on Wednesday, Reiner’s children Jake, 34, and Romy, 28, described the loss as “horrific and devastating,” adding, “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day.”

For Brooks, the grief remains deeply personal and unresolved, a reminder of a friendship that shaped a lifetime.

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