Michael Douglas and Rob Reiner Talked ‘A Lot’ About Their Sons’ Struggles Before Director’s Death: ‘This Was a Man Who Always Gave It His Best’

Michael Douglas says he and Rob Reiner often connected over their sons’ troubles before the “Stand by Me” director was killed.

As part of CBS’ “Rob Reiner – Scenes from a Life” special, Douglas said dealing with the addiction of his own son, Cameron Douglas, helped him relate to Reiner and the problems with his son, Nick.

“I also had a son who had had drug issues. I’m happy to say he’s overcome them and living a prosperous life,” Douglas said. The two-time Oscar winner added that he and Reiner would “talk a lot about that and what you can do as a parent, what you can’t do.”

Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer, were found stabbed to death in their home on Dec. 14. Their son, Nick, was arrested hours later and, on Tuesday afternoon, he was charged with two counts of murder in the death of his parents. The LAPD later said in a statement, “Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of Robert and Michele Reiner, was responsible for their deaths.”

Douglas called Reiner’s death a “terrible tragedy,” later adding, “Knowing with all of that going on behind the scenes, this was a man who always gave it his best.”

Reiner and Douglas collaborated on the 1995 political drama “The American President” and the 2014 romance, “And So It Goes.”

Douglas’ son was released from prison in 2016 after serving roughly seven years in prison from drug related charges.

The CBS special also included interviews with Jerry O’Connell, Kathy Bates, Albert Brooks, Annette Bening and Mandy Patinkin.