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During the Oscars 2026, Billy Crystal and over a dozen stars from Rob Reiner’s iconic films gathered to deliver a heartfelt homage to the late director.
Leading the In Memoriam segment, Crystal, known for his role in “When Harry Met Sally,” expressed with deep emotion, “Rob’s films will endure through the ages because they capture the essence of what makes us laugh, cry, and strive to be better—more compassionate, more humorous, but above all, more human in his vision.”
At 78, Crystal also honored Michele Reiner, remarking how her arrival in Rob’s life made them an unstoppable duo.
“Michele didn’t just produce films with Rob; her energy fueled their relentless efforts against social injustice in a nation they cherished,” he added.
Crystal emphasized that the couple became pivotal in the fight for marriage equality in the United States, and their absence is profoundly felt.
“Buddy, what fun we had storming the castle,” Crystal ended the speech, referencing “The Princess Bride.”
After his emotional speech, the curtain rose to reveal over a dozen stars who had worked on Reiner’s movies, including his “When Harry Met Sally” co-star Meg Ryan and Jerry O’Connell, Kiefer Sutherland and Will Wheaton from “Stand By Me.”
Christopher Guest and Michael McKean from “This is Spinal Tap” also stood in front of the Oscars crowd, as well as Fred Savage, Carey Elwes, Mandy Patinkin and Carol Kane from “The Princess Bride,” Kathy Bates from “Misery,” Demi Moore and Kevin Pollack from “A Few Good Men,” and John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga from “The Sure Thing.”
Rob and Michele were found dead in their Brentwood home on Dec.14.
He was 78, while she was 70.
According to their death certificates, the couple died within “minutes” of receiving “multiple sharp force injuries” with a “knife, by another.”
Their youngest son, Nick Reiner, was arrested in connection with their deaths hours after the stabbings.
He has a long history of drug addiction and mental health issues, and had reportedly been diagnosed with schizophrenia before his parents’ deaths.
The troubled 32-year-old pleaded not guilty on Feb. 23 during an appearance in the Los Angeles Superior Court.
He is facing two counts of murder with an enhancement that could carry the death penalty or life without parole if he is convicted.
Crystal not only starred in “When Harry Met Sally” and “The Princess Bride,” which Rob also helmed, but he was also the director’s best friend.
He and his wife, Janice Crystal, were spotted somberly leaving the Reiner home hours after the bodies were found.
A neighbor told ABC 7 that the Crystals were only at the home briefly and said the “Analyze This” actor looked like he was about to cry.”
Following the murders, a group of Rob’s closest friends, including Crystal, Martin Short, Alan and Robin Zweibel, Albert Brooks, and Larry David, released a joint statement.
“His comedic touch was beyond compare, his love of getting the music of the dialogue just right, and his sharpening of the edge of a drama was simply elegant,” read the statement.
“For the actors, he loved them. For the writers he made them better. His greatest gift was freedom. If you had an idea, he listened, he brought you into the process. They always felt they were working as a team. To be in his hands as a film maker was a privilege but that is only part of his legacy.”
“Rob was also a passionate, brave citizen, who not only cared for this country he loved, he did everything he could to make it better and with his loving wife Michele, he had the perfect partner. Strong and determined, Michele and Rob Reiner devoted a great deal of their lives for the betterment of our fellow citizens… They were a special force together-dynamic, unselfish and inspiring. We were their friends, and we will miss them forever,” the statement concluded.