Why The Reiners Were Left Out Of The New York Times’ “Lives They Lived”

The New York Times Magazine’s annual “Lives They Lived” was released on December 29th. The issue drew a bit of controversy following the list’s release. Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were absent from the list; this led to widespread public speculation, specifically when the couple both had long careers and broad recognition within the entertainment industry. Their names were not included with the many notable figures who passed this year. This list included Diane Keaton, David Lynch, Jane Goodall, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Angie Stone.

After the list was released, questions began to circulate online as to whether the circumstances of their deaths influenced the editorial decision. Others pointed out Martin Scorsese’s Christmas Day opinion piece, in which Scorsese reflected on his long friendship with Rob Reiner, suggesting that the piece was meant as a separate tribute within the magazine. However, according to the Times, the exclusion was based on timing rather than editorial judgment.

Senior Vice President of Communications for the New York Times, Danielle Rhoades Ha, explained the situation in a statement to Deadline, stating that the yearly feature “had already been approved and locked in for publication before it was released.” She noted that “content was finalized on December 11, 2025,” while the Reiners’ deaths were reported on December 14, 2025.

The couple were found at their L.A. residence with fatal stab wounds. Their currently alleged attacker, Nick Reiner, their youngest son, was arrested just hours later. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. His hearing is scheduled for January 7, 2026. According to court filings, he will remain in custody with no chance of bail and, if convicted, could face life in prison without parole or the death penalty.