Judd Apatow Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Late Rob Reiner at ‘Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man’ Premiere

At the Los Angeles premiere of the HBO documentary Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man, co-director and executive producer Judd Apatow took a poignant moment to honor the late Rob Reiner and his wife Michele.

“It’s just an unspeakable tragedy, because he was just the best person, and so is Michele,” Apatow said. “They really fought for the political causes they believed in. They walked the walk, put in the time, and I think they made the world a much better place, in addition to their artistry. It’s an unfillable hole.”

Rob Reiner plays a central role in the two-part documentary, which premiered on HBO on Thursday, Jan. 22. The Reiner family had a long-standing and close relationship with Mel Brooks, dating back decades. Rob’s father, Carl Reiner, collaborated closely with Brooks, famously creating the iconic The 2,000 Year Old Man routine. Carl Reiner passed away in June 2020, and tragically, Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead in their home on Dec. 14, 2025. Their son Nick has since been charged with first-degree murder and is awaiting arraignment.

Apatow highlighted Rob Reiner’s invaluable contribution to the documentary. “He was an incredible voice, because he knew everything about Mel and Carl’s relationship, and he really dissected it and explained why they were so close,” Apatow said. “He’s so warm and funny in the documentary that it’s very special having him in it.”

Co-directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio, the three-and-a-half-hour documentary celebrates Mel Brooks’ extraordinary life and career. It explores his legendary films such as Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles, his 40-year marriage to Anne Bancroft, and his lifelong friendship with Carl Reiner. The film was completed prior to Rob Reiner’s passing, preserving his insights and stories for fans and history alike.