“Being Charlie” executive producer Douglas Shaffer is mourning the tragic loss of Hollywood director Rob Reiner who he described as a supportive father with unconditional love for his son Nick, who’s accused of his murder.
The 2015 film, directed by Rob Reiner and co-written by his son, is based on Nick’s experience with addiction and homelessness. Shaffer was brought on as an executive producer through a production company and says the film was made by Reiner as a way of bonding with his son.
“He made that movie for Nick. That was like his love letter to him because I think he felt he wanted to help him,” said Shaffer. “He wanted to bond with him more, but he also wanted to help him in his film career and he you know, through the process of making the movie, he wanted to kind of understand more what Nick was going through.”
Shaffer says he wasn’t as involved in “Being Charlie” since he was shooting another film at the time, but remembers Reiner as someone approachable who was open to different ideas.
During a private screening of Being Charlie, Reiner described the movie as the best working experience of his life, according to Shaffer.
“He said because he got to work with this kid, he was so proud of his son and things like that. I was just like, God, I have so much respect for this guy. Because again, he did this all for his kid,” said Shaffer.
The son of Rob and Michele Reiner was taken into custody in Exposition Park after his parents’ bodies were found on Sunday. Keenan Willard reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.
Shaffer says when he heard that Nick was suspected of his murder, it came as a shock to the movie producer and his colleagues, who worked closely with the then 22-year-old.
“I mean, when I first heard, I thought it might’ve been like a home invasion thing,” said Shaffer. “And I think that’s just got to be kind of mind-blowing to see that act of violence come out of him. I just didn’t see it coming.”
Nick Reiner has spoken publicly over the years about his struggles with drug addiction, which began in his teens. He told People in an interview in 2016 that he cycled in and out of treatment facilities with bouts of homelessness and relapses in between.
Despite his struggles, Shaffer says he believes Rob did everything he could to understand and support his son.
“There’s only so much out for outside forces can do and I think with Rob and Nick, I think Rob was doing everything he could to try to help him,” said Shaffer. “And I think that’s the tragedy of it, is the parents love their child unconditionally and then you have something so tragic.”
Nick Reiner, who was arrested Sunday, made a brief court appearance Wednesday but did not enter a plea on the two counts of first-degree murder he’s been charged with in the killing of his parents.
Reiner’s attorney, Alan Jackson, told the court it was “too early” to enter a guilty or not guilty plea and agreed to delay the arraignment until Jan. 7, 2026.
Nick Reiner appeared from behind the glass wall of a custody area in shackles and wearing a jail suicide prevention smock. During the short hearing, he only said “yes, your honor” when asked by Judge Theresa McGonigle if he understood he has the right to a speedy trial.
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