Who was Rob Reiner's first wife? Details explored following 2 deaths at his Los Angeles home

Rob Reiner’s sudden death has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry in Hollywood.

Reports stated that the renowned film director was found dead along with his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, at their home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on December 14. The authorities have described the case as ‘apparent homicide’, and the investigation is still going on.

Reiner was married twice in his life, first to Penny Marshall and then to Michele Singer. Marshall was an actress, director and producer. She was known for her role as Laverne DeFazio in the hit sitcom Laverne & Shirley, for which she earned three Golden Globe nominations. She portrayed the role alongside Cindy Williams as Shirley Feeney.

Marshall reportedly passed away in 2018 at her home in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles. Her death was caused by cardiopulmonary failure due to cardiac arrest and complications from type 1 diabetes.

Continue to read for more details.

Exploring more details on Rob Reiner and his first wife Penny Marshall

Rob Reiner and Penny Marshall shared a Bronx childhood connection before their love blossomed in the late 1960s.

They grew up on the same street but did not know each other at the time, as Marshall mentioned in her memoir, My Mother Was Nuts. She wrote about the time she saw Reiner’s father, Carl Reiner, one time at the tiny grocery store in her building. Carl, who was the star on Your Show of Shows, was the most famous person in their neighbourhood.

Rob Reiner and Penny Marshall first met while attending The Committee, a repertory group. It was the place in San Francisco where they both were performing at that time. Marshall was immediately drawn to Reiner's talent and humor, though he was initially hesitant due to personal issues.

Their bond deepened when they auditioned for roles on the sitcom All in the Family, where Rob Reiner eventually landed the role of Michael “Meathead” Stivic. However, Marshall, who auditioned to play his onscreen wife, Gloria Bunker, was not selected. But the two later appeared as best friends who became lovers in the film More Than Friends.

They married in April 1971, right after Reiner taped an episode of All in the Family. At that time, Marshall was 27, while Reiner was 23. Their post-nuptial meal was a Chinese takeout. After their marriage, Rob Reiner legally adopted Marshall’s daughter, Tracy, from her previous relationship.

Despite sharing a romantic connection, distance grew between Rob Reiner and Marshall marked by professional jealousy and their demanding careers. They were busy filming on rival networks.

Reiner's All in the Family on CBS and Marshall's Laverne & Shirley on ABC apparently kept them apart for long stretches. Tensions peaked when All in the Family ended, while her show thrived. In a 1976 interview with The Sacramento Bee, Marshall said:

“Rob and I made a date to see each other after the holidays. He complains that I'm spending too much time on the show. He forgets what he was like in his first year with All in the Family.”

The issues led to their divorce in 1981 after 10 years of marriage. They parted amicably and stayed in touch as friends.

During a 2016 interview, Marshall admitted that she thought she and Rob Reiner would reunite someday in old age. She said:

“We stayed together longer because of pride. We always thought we would get back together when we were much older. But he’s got a wife and family now. His grandkids went to school with my kids. We still get along.”

On her passing, Rob Reiner took to social media to share a heartfelt post for his ex-wife. He wrote:

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“I loved Penny. I grew up with her. She was born with a great gift. She was born with a funnybone and the instinct of how to use it. I was very lucky to have lived with her and her funnybone. I will miss her.”

Before her marriage to Rob, Marshall was married to an athlete, Michael Henry with whom she shared her daughter, Tracy.

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