Mandy Patinkin breaks down in tears recalling how he 'wailed and cried' over Rob Reiner's death
Mandy Patinkin got very emotional discussing his late colleague Rob Reiner in CBS News' special Scenes from a Life, which aired Sunday - just one week after the beloved filmmaker's murder.'I heard this news at about 11-something on Sunday night,' the 73-year-old Homeland alum recalled of the 'inconceivable' tragedy.'I was in bed. I was in shock. I didn't sleep at all. I just kept wailing and crying. I didn't know what to do.'I didn't know how to process it. I still don't know how to process it and I'm not looking for how to process it.'The Oscar-nominated producer famously directed Patinkin in his 'favorite' role as vengeful Spanish swordsman Inigo Montoya in his 1987 cinematic classic, The Princess Bride.'We're sitting there in this screening room, and the [rough cut of the] film was over, and I said, "I never dreamed I would get to be in something like this,"' the Tony winner cried. Mandy Patinkin got very emotional discussing his late colleague Rob Reiner in CBS News' special Scenes from a Life, which aired Sunday - just one week after the beloved filmmaker's murder (they are pictured in 1988) The 73-year-old Homeland alum recalled: 'I heard this news at about 11-something on Sunday night. I was in bed. I was in shock. I didn't sleep at all. I just kept wailing and crying''I didn't even have time to dream, and he made that dream for me.'The Chicago native and Reiner also co-starred in the late Christopher Reeves' 2006 animated baseball comedy Everyone's Hero.'Rob worked hard to try to get me to be the best human being I could be,' Patinkin continued.'One time he said to me, "I just wish you could get out of your own way," and I haven't been able to achieve that to this day, but I won't quit trying. He cared about my nature. He showed it to me over and over again.'Reiner and his second wife Michele were slain - age 78 and 68 - at their $13.5 million Brentwood mansion after years of trying to get help for their troubled son Nick Reiner's mental illness and substance abuse, which led to a reported 17 rehab stints.The 32-year-old suspect is now being held without bail at LA's Twin Towers Jail on two counts of first-degree murder, and his arraignment is scheduled for January 7.Michael Douglas also took part in the CBS special.Douglas - whom Reiner directed in The American President in 1995 - spoke about his eldest son Cameron Douglas, who spent seven years in prison for conspiracy to distribute drugs and heroin possession.'With this terrible tragedy we're realizing how much pressure he was dealing with in his personal life with his son,' the 81-year-old Oscar winner explained.'I also had a son who had had drug issues. I'm happy to say he's overcome them and living a prosperous life. We did talk a lot about that and what you can do as a parent, what you can't do.'So knowing with all of that going on behind the scenes, this was a man who always gave you his best.' The Oscar-nominated producer famously directed Patinkin in his 'favorite' role as vengeful Spanish swordsman Inigo Montoya in his 1987 cinematic classic, The Princess Bride The Tony winner continued: 'Rob worked hard to try to get me to be the best human being I could be...He cared about my nature. He showed it to me over and over again' (pictured in 2012) Reiner and his second wife Michele were killed - age 78 and 68 - at their $13.5 million Brentwood mansion. The couple's son Nick Reiner has been arrested and charged for their murders (pictured with daughter Romy and son Nick on September 9) The 32-year-old suspect is now being held without bail at LA's Twin Towers Jail on two counts of first-degree murder, and his arraignment is scheduled for January 7Albert Brooks admitted he's 'still in that not believing it stage' of grief over his 'oldest friend.''I just wish there was no reason to do this,' the 78-year-old comedian marveled. 'That's what I really wish.'Brooks continued: 'There is a line from one of Rob Reiner's favorite films, It's a Wonderful Life. The line is, "Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?" You have no idea.'Rob Reiner: Scenes from a Life - now streaming on YouTube - also features Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Jerry O'Connell and Kiefer Sutherland reminiscing about working with and befriending him.The married couple of 36 years are survived by their 34-year-old son Jake Reiner and 27-year-old daughter Romy Reiner.'Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,' the siblings said in a statement last Wednesday.'The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren't just our parents; they were our best friends.' Michael Douglas - whom Reiner directed in The American President in 1995 - also appeared on the special and spoke about his eldest son, Cameron Douglas, who spent seven years in prison for conspiracy to distribute drugs and heroin possession (pictured in 2003) Douglas added: 'We did talk a lot about that and what you can do as a parent, what you can't do. So knowing with all of that going on behind the scenes, this was a man who always gave you his best' Albert Brooks admitted he's 'still in that not believing it stage' of grief over his 'oldest friend' (pictured in 2024)Saturday Night Live paid tribute to Reiner by flashing a picture of him circa 1975 when he hosted the third episode of the NBC sketch show now in its 51st season.The Bronx-born director was previously married to the late great Penny Marshall from 1971-1981, and he was a grandfather-of-five through her 61-year-old daughter Tracy Reiner.Reiner's final film - Spinal Tap at Stonehenge: The Final Finale - hits theaters next year.The concert flick stars Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer as well as special guests Eric Clapton, Josh Groban and Shania Twain.The Bear actor's career came full circle for his rock-mockumentary sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues since it was a follow-up to his 1984 first film This Is Spinal Tap.Reiner also helmed cinematic staples such as Stand by Me (1986), When Harry Met Sally (1989), Misery (1990) and A Few Good Men (1992).The two-time Emmy-winning actor originally got his start portraying Meathead? on CBS sitcom All in the Family in 1971 thanks to the connections of his comedian father Carl Reiner.
