Rob Reiner, director of modern American classics, dies at 78

Rob Reiner, who was born into Hollywood comedic royalty and forged his own path directing films that marked America's mood through humor, satire and nostalgia, died Sunday.

Rob Reiner, who was born into Hollywood comedic royalty and forged his own path directing films that marked America's mood through humor, satire and nostalgia, died Sunday.

He was 78.

Reiner, who was active for more than four decades, is best known for a string of films from the 1980s into the 1990s now considered modern classics: "Stand by Me," "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally...," "Misery" and "A Few Good Men," among others.

The filmmaker was found dead alongside wife, Michele Singer Reiner, 68, at their home in Los Angeles, according to a source close to the Reiner family.

Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, in Los Angeles in 2014.Lester Cohen / Getty Images fileRob Reiner's father was actor and comedian Carl Reiner, creator of one of the postwar era's most successful television series, "The Dick Van Dyke Show."