The heartbreak over Rob Reiner and his wife Michele‘s tragic deaths is felt far and wide, as is the appreciation for his impact on the entertainment industry … and Tisha Campbell tells us Rob played a huge role in helping push her career forward.

We caught up with Tisha in NYC Wednesday, and she told us Rob helped kick off her career, as the first person to cast her in a comedy.

The “My Wife & Kids” alum added he was one of the nicest people she’s ever met … emphasizing just how kind he was.

That generosity is something many are remembering and honoring … after Rob and Michele were found murdered Sunday afternoon inside their Brentwood, California home.

Nick Reiner did NOT get booted from his parents’ house the night before Rob and Michele Reiner were murdered in the Brentwood home where they lived with their son … TMZ has learned.

There has been speculation online Rob kicked Nick out of the house Saturday night after returning from Conan O’Brien‘s Christmas party.

A source with direct knowledge tells TMZ, Nick left on his own accord. We do not know the circumstances under which Nick decided to leave. TMZ broke the story he and Rob got into a heated argument at Conan’s party … but it’s unclear if the exchange continued back at the Reiner residence.

Our sources confirm … Nick was not mentally sound in the period of time leading up to the murders. A source with direct knowledge tells TMZ … Nick’s mental instability went beyond consuming illegal substances. We’re told prescription drugs “messed with his head.”

Nick checked into a Santa Monica hotel early Sunday morning. Later that afternoon, Rob and Michele were found stabbed to death in their home … and that evening Nick was arrested near USC campus, near Downtown Los Angeles.

As we told you, Nick was acting strangely in the days leading up to the murders. Employees at a gas station the family frequented said Nick appeared “drained” and “abnormal.”

“2 Fast 2 Furious” star Devon Aoki is dealing with a major car issue … but it has nothing directly to do with her or her famous movie.

Here’s the deal … Aoki’s husband, James Bailey, was driving in a Audi SQ7 SUV in Coral Gables, Florida on Monday when he plowed into a man riding a stand-up scooter, according to an arrest report obtained by TMZ.

The report says the scooter rider was in a crosswalk when he was struck, and Bailey drove away, heading back to his home. WPLG Local 10 obtained a video that shows the aftermath of the hit-and-run, with the victim pleading with the driver to move the Audi off his foot before falling to the ground in pain.

Police say the victim suffered two foot fractures and a “large contusion to his left calf,” while his girlfriend — also on scene –contacted police and gave a description of Bailey’s vehicle. Amed with the description … cops began tracking Bailey with the help of license plate readers and police cameras. Officers responded to the vehicle’s registered address — a reported $9.1 million mansion Bailey shares with Aoki, according to the arrest report.

Police said Aoki was home at the time and spoke with investigators, telling them she didn’t know the whereabouts of the Audi. As officers were about to leave, Bailey drove up in the SUV and ran inside his home, locking himself inside, cops said.

Minutes later, Bailey came outside and surrendered before being booked into the Miami-Dade jail for hit-and-run, causing serious bodily injury, and resisting without violence. He was released Tuesday.