Leah Remini is mourning the loss of her beloved friend and colleague.
Following the death of Mike Rinder on Sunday at age 69, the actress, 54, paid homage to the late star on social media.
“On Sunday, we lost a giant, and I lost a man who was more than a friend—he was family,” Remini wrote on Instagram Tuesday about her former co-host on the A&E show, “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. “It’s impossible to imagine the last 13 years of my life without Mike Rinder. He was my trusted partner and my closest confidant.”
Reflecting on leaving Scientology in 2013, Remini recalled that Rinder “was one of the first people I turned to. From that moment, he became my lifeline.”
“Together, we embarked on an incredible journey that included The Aftermath and our podcast, Fair Game. But Mike was so much more than my partner in this fight—he was my brother, my father, and my best friend,” she continued about their work together.
“The King of Queens” alum confessed that not only did the pair have a close bond for leaving the church, but Rinder “saved my life and the life of my daughter and he stood by me through battles that felt insurmountable.”
“I haven’t come to terms with the reality that I can’t call him and hear his voice anymore. I am shattered in ways I never thought possible. I have cried endlessly and can’t seem to move from my bed since coming home.”
Remini told fans that in time, she would be sharing more about her dear friend’s life and legacy, but right now, she has a different mission.
“I want to honor his memory by fulfilling one of his last wishes: encouraging support for his son Jack’s college fund,” the actress said. “Mike also became an amazing husband and an attentive, loving dad to Jack and his stepson Shane. One of the many heartbreaks Mike suffered was the absence of his older kids who disconnected from him due to Scientology’s cruel policies after he courageously escaped its abuse.”
Remini shed light on Rinder’s bond with Jack, noting, “Mike adored Jack, who is just 12. If you’re able, I hope you’ll join me in contributing to Jack’s college fund, ensuring Mike’s dreams for his son can still come true.”
Giving a nod to the host’s wife and family, the sitcom vet concluded her post by asking followers to “please keep Mike’s wife, Christie, Jack, and Mike’s stepson Shane in your thoughts and prayers. They’ve lost a husband and dad whose love knew no bounds, and I’ve lost someone whose presence in my life was irreplaceable.”
Alongside the lengthy, heartfelt caption, Remini shared a picture of herself with her arms wrapped around Rinder as the pair smiled together.
Rinder’s wife, Christie Collbran, announced his death on Sunday, sharing her own post on Instagram. She posted a family photo that included Jack and Collbran’s son, Shane.
“Rest in peace, my sweet, beautiful husband,” she penned the message. “I speak for so many when I say the sadness and pain we feel mirror the depth of our unwavering love for you. Your courage, bravery, and integrity are unmatched and will forever inspire us.”
Although a cause of death wasn’t shared, Rinder announced in a 2023 blog post that he was diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer. However, in October, Rinder said that his “latest scan did not show any cancer” and the “treatment is working.”
The family man was a member of the Church of Scientology from the age of six and left the church in 2007, per his website’s bio.
