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Kevin McEnroe admits that he can relate to Nick Reiner’s addiction struggles and what it’s like to be born into a famous family — even after Nick was charged with two counts of first degree murder for the deaths of his parents Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.
Kevin — the son of John McEnroe and Tatum O’Neal — wrote an essay for The Small Bow, published on Monday, February 2, about his thoughts on the film Being Charlie, a film Nick wrote and his late dad directed. (The film is based on Nick’s past experiences with addiction and homelessness.)
“As someone who comes from a famous family, and who has a history of drug abuse and being institutionalized, that I could provide a perspective wherein the goal … is relatability — an attempt to identify with someone who’s done something really, really wrong, and maybe a way to see how they got there,” Kevin, 39, shared. “Because compassion is what you do in recovery, and justified anger is not, even when it’s so justified that anything other than anger sort of makes you — me — sick. Even then, perhaps it’s worth trying. But I suppose we’ll see.”
Kevin added that in addition to addiction issues, it is even more “difficult to be anonymous as the son of someone.”
“For many years, after college, I worked in bars and always enjoyed the first few months because nobody knew who I was,” he reflected. “Somebody would usually figure it out — often the boss, and he’d tell — and people either liked me more or less because of my father, but it was never the same. Sports fans seemed to want to hang, but for the most part people had a number of questions.”
Kevin explained that being the child of a celebrity poses its own unique challenges.
“I just wanted to live without eyes. But when your birth is announced on the cover of Star Magazine, or if your dad directed Stand By Me, you don’t really have that option,” he wrote. “You’ll never really have that choice. You can either run from it or embrace it; either way you can’t care what people think.”
Kevin’s essay also had a disclaimer at the top addressing Rob and Michele’s deaths.
“I’m not usually one for disclaimers, but the unusual brutality that serves as the backdrop for this story makes me want to begin by saying I cannot imagine how the Reiners feel in the wake of this tragedy, but to also say, from mine to yours, that we love you,” he wrote. “Without any personal relationship or information, I am just here to provide some perspective on this film, and I’m hoping to do so in a way that helps somebody else without hurting any of you. I promise I did my best, and I hope, again, you might agree. Thank you for your courage throughout this time.”
Rob and Michele were found dead in their Brentwood home in December 2025 after suffering from “apparent stab wounds.” Rob was 78, while Michele was 70.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner,” a spokesperson for the Reiner family said in a statement, shared with Variety. “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”
Their deaths were ruled a homicide. Nick, 32, was subsequently arrested for their murders. He remains in custody without bail.
Last month, Nick appeared in court. During the hearing, his attorney, Alan Jackson, stepped down as his legal representative and a public defender was assigned to Nick’s case. Nick has not yet entered a plea in the case. His arraignment was pushed to February 23.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
