Kevin Bacon was visibly struggling to hold back tears as he shared an emotional video tribute on Instagram honoring Rob Reiner, the acclaimed filmmaker who directed him in the 1992 courtroom drama
A Few Good Men. The film, which went on to earn four Academy Award nominations, remains one of the most influential legal dramas in modern cinema — and for Bacon, it also marked one of the most meaningful experiences of his career.
Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday. Their son, Nick Reiner, is currently being held on suspicion of murder, a tragic and shocking development that has sent waves of grief through Hollywood and beyond.
In his video, Bacon speaks slowly, his voice unsteady, clearly overwhelmed by emotion. “I’m not sure how to do this,” he begins. “But Rob Reiner gave me a job inA Few Good Men. Sometime in the ’90s, I guess it was. I was over the moon to get that job.”
For Bacon, the opportunity carried deep personal significance. “People may or may not know, butThis Is Spinal Tap is my all-time favorite movie,” he says, referring to Reiner’s iconic 1984 mockumentary that forever changed comedy filmmaking. “When he called me, I was just so thrilled.”
Bacon co-starred in A Few Good Men as a young Marine captain, sharing the screen with Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise in what became one of the decade’s most quoted and analyzed films. The movie’s courtroom confrontations, particularly Nicholson’s explosive testimony, are etched into pop culture history. But Bacon’s memories focus less on fame and more on humanity.
“The making of that movie was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had on a set,” Bacon recalls. “He was so fun. It really comes down from the top, you know? You can set a tone where people feel like we are working hard but also working hard in a safe and pleasant and fun situation.”
Bacon emphasizes how rare that environment was — and still is — in an industry often defined by pressure, hierarchy, and long hours. “We had lunch together every day,” he says. “I’ve never done that with a director before or since. I’d never gone to have lunch.”
Those lunches weren’t just meals; they symbolized Reiner’s collaborative spirit. Michele Reiner was often present, Bacon notes, and the couple’s warmth left a lasting impression on the cast and crew. “Michele would be there, and the two of them were so great together,” he says. “Kyra would come by — she was pregnant — and bring Travis. It was a magical time.”
Bacon’s recollection paints a portrait of Reiner not just as a director, but as a leader who understood that great films are made by people who feel respected, valued, and safe. That philosophy helped define Reiner’s career, which spanned decades and genres, from
Stand By Me and When Harry Met Sally… to Misery and The Princess Bride.
“So I’m just sending love to everybody that knew him,” Bacon concludes, his voice breaking. “Because I know that everyone’s hurting today.”
Bacon was far from alone in expressing grief.
Demi Moore, who also starred in A Few Good Men, shared a deeply personal tribute on Instagram. “There are no words to truly express the unfathomable devastation of losing Rob and Michelle Reiner,” she wrote. “Our kids grew up together, we worked together, and as our lives intertwined personally and professionally I will always cherish the moments and memories of what we shared.”
Moore emphasized the couple’s impact beyond filmmaking. “They were amazing people and wonderful parents who gave of themselves to make the world a better place,” she continued. “My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with their family, friends, and all that are affected by this tragedy.”
Kiefer Sutherland, whose first collaboration with Reiner came years earlier in Stand By Me before he later appeared in A Few Good Men, also issued a statement reflecting on the director’s life-changing influence.
“Like so many, my heart was broken today when I heard the news about Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife, Michele,” Sutherland said. “Rob was one of the kindest gentlemen I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. When I was very young, he gave me an opportunity that changed my life, and I will forever be grateful.”
The reactions underscore a recurring theme: Reiner’s legacy is not defined solely by box office success or awards, but by the doors he opened and the trust he placed in others. For many actors, especially younger ones, working with Reiner marked a turning point — a moment when they felt seen, supported, and challenged creatively.
Reiner’s directing style was often described as actor-centered. He was known for fostering open dialogue, encouraging rehearsal, and allowing performances to evolve organically. That approach helped produce some of the most enduring performances of the late 20th century.
The shock surrounding the circumstances of Reiner and Michele’s deaths has only deepened the sense of collective mourning. While investigations continue, Hollywood has largely focused on honoring the lives and work of a couple remembered for kindness, collaboration, and creativity.
For Kevin Bacon, the loss is both professional and deeply personal. His tribute stands as a reminder that behind every celebrated film are relationships that endure long after the cameras stop rolling.
In an industry often marked by fleeting connections, Rob Reiner left behind something far more lasting: a reputation for decency, generosity, and joy in the craft of storytelling. As Bacon said simply — and powerfully — “Everybody is hurting today.”
Kevin Bacon was on the verge of tears as he posted an emotional video tribute on Instagram to Rob Reiner, who directed him in the 1992 legal drama “A Few Good Men.” It was nominated for four Oscars.
Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead in their Los Angeles home Sunday, and their son Nick is being held on suspicion of murder.
Bacon co-starred as a young Marine captain in the film, which starred Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise. “I’m not sure how to do this,” Bacon starts out in the video, sounding emotional. “But Rob Reiner gave me a job in ‘A Few Good Men.’ Sometime in the ’90s, I guess it was. I was over the moon to get that job — people may or may not know but ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ is my all-time favorite movie and when he called me, I was just so thrilled.
“The making of that movie was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had on a set,” Bacon continued. “He was so fun. It really comes down from the top, you know? You can set a tone where people feel like we are working hard but also working hard in a safe and pleasant and fun situation. You know, we had lunch together every day. I’ve never done that with a director before or since, I’d never gone to have lunch. And Michele would be there, and the two of them were so great together. Kyra would come by, she was pregnant, and bring Travis. It was a magical time.
“So I’m just sending love to everybody that knew him because I know that everyone’s hurting today,” Bacon concludes.
Bacon’s co-star Demi Moore also had some heartfelt thoughts about her “A Few Good Men” director.
“There are no words to truly express the unfathomable devastation of losing Rob and Michelle Reiner,” Moore wrote on Instagram. “Our kids grew up together, we worked together, and as our lives intertwined personally and professionally I will always cherish the moments and memories of what we shared.
“They were amazing people and wonderful parents who gave of themselves to make the world a better place. My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with their family, friends, and all that are affected by this tragedy.”
Kiefer Sutherland, whose first film with Reiner was “Stand By Me” before he went on to play a second lieutenant in “A Few Good Men,” said in a statement, “Like so many, my heart was broken today when I heard the news about Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife, Michele. Rob was one of the kindest gentleman I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, when I was very young he gave me an opportunity that changed my life, and I will forever be grateful.”