Hollywood and the world are reeling after the shocking deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, and now some of their closest friends — Billy Crystal, Larry David, Martin Short, Albert Brooks, and more — are honoring the couple in an emotional personal joint statement.

The comedy icons, who shared decades of friendship and creative history with the Reiner’s, spoke to The Associated Press, praising Rob’s extraordinary career and the artistic lineage he carried forward.

“Absorbing all he had learned from his father Carl and his mentor Norman Lear, Rob Reiner not only was a great comic actor, he became a master story teller. There is no other director who has his range. From comedy to drama to ‘mockumentary’ to documentary he was always at the top of his game. He charmed audiences. They trusted him. They lined up to see his films,” the group said in their statement.

As we’ve reported … Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman says Nick faces the possibility of life in prison without parole … or the death penalty … if convicted on all counts.