Billy Crystal rememberedRob Reiner—with the help of some special friends.
Just three months after the director and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, tragically passed away, the actor best known for When Harry Met Sally started the Oscars’ In Memoriam segment with a tribute to their lives and work. Their connection began 51 years earlier, when the actor guest-starred on an episode of Rob Reiner’s show, All in the Family.
Rob mentioned that it was enjoyable playing opposite his best friend and suggested they continue to work together. He also expressed excitement about watching him grow from a talented comedic actor into a skilled storyteller.
Billy often worked with Rob over the years and discusses some of their most popular films, including When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men, Misery, Stand By Me, and This Is Spinal Tap.
It was especially meaningful that Billy was joined at the March 15th ceremony by several of Rob’s co-stars, including Wil Wheaton and Jerry O’Connell from Stand by Me, Kathy Bates from Misery, and Kevin Pollack, Kiefer Sutherland, and Demi Moore from A Few Good Men.
The cast also included Daphne Zuniga and John Cusack, who starred in The Sure Thing, Annette Bening from The American President, and Michael McKean and Christopher Guest, known for This Is Spinal Tap.
The moving tribute also included appearances by Meg Ryan, who starred alongside Billy in When Harry Met Sally, and several of his Princess Bride costars: Carol Kane, Mandy Patinkin, Carey Elwes, and Fred Savage.
Billy shared with the audience that his friend Rob’s films will be remembered forever because they captured universal human experiences – what makes us laugh, what makes us sad, and what we hope to achieve. Rob always believed in striving to be better, kinder, funnier, and more genuinely human. Billy also spoke about how Rob’s partnership with Michelle Singer was incredibly powerful. Michelle, a talented photographer, not only collaborated with Rob on films but also inspired them to dedicate themselves to fighting for social justice in their country.
The comedian then shared details of conversations he’d had with Rob about how he’d be remembered, before addressing the famous filmmaker directly.
It’s hard to express how deeply Rob will be missed. He often told me how much it meant to him that so many people enjoyed his films, both here and internationally. For those of us who were lucky enough to work with, know, and love him, we’ll always remember the joy and excitement of collaborating with him – it was a wonderful experience.
I’ve been a huge fan of Rob Reiner for years. Growing up, I loved his movies, and it always amazed me how someone from such a legendary comedy family – his parents were the incredible Carl and Estelle Reiner – could create such lasting work. And it wasn’t just film! I also really enjoyed seeing him pop up in shows like New Girl and, more recently, The Bear. He really left his mark on so many of us.
After the deaths of Nick Reiner’s parents in December – he has been charged with their murders but maintains his innocence – many of their friends in the film industry, such as Billy, Martin Short, and Larry David, expressed their sadness in a touching tribute.
According to a statement released to the Associated Press on December 16th, Rob Reiner excelled as both a comedic actor and a skilled storyteller, building on the lessons he learned from his father, Carl, and his mentor, Norman Lear. The statement highlighted Reiner’s versatility as a director, noting his success across various genres – from comedy and drama to mockumentaries and documentaries – and his ability to connect with audiences who consistently sought out his films.
Friends of the filmmaker remembered Rob’s ability to find humor even in serious work and his refined style. They said he truly cared for actors and helped writers improve. His biggest strength was giving people creative freedom – he welcomed ideas, included collaborators, and fostered a strong sense of teamwork. Filmmakers felt lucky to work with him, and that’s just one part of what he’ll be remembered for.
The celebration honored not only Rob Reiner’s remarkable career, but also his and his wife Michele’s commitment to important causes. They were dedicated advocates and together had three children: Jake, Romy, and Tracy (with Penny Marshall).
Friends remember Michele and Rob Reiner as a powerful and dedicated couple who spent their lives working to improve things for others. They were a truly inspiring team – generous, energetic, and always putting others first. Those who knew them will deeply miss them.
As the Oscars continue, keep reading to see who’s taken home an award tonight…
Bugonia
F1
Frankenstein
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
The Secret Agent
Sentimental Value
Sinners
Train Dreams
Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue
Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value
Emma Stone – Bugonia
Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another
Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon
Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent
Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value
Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value
WINNER: Amy Madigan – Weapons
Wunmi Mosaku- Sinners
Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
Benecio Del Toro – One Battle After Another
Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
Delroy Lindo – Sinners
WINNER: Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value
Chloé Zhao – Hamnet
Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme
Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value
Ryan Coogler – Sinners
Blue Moon
It Was Just An Accident
Marty Supreme
Sentimental Value
WINNER: Sinners
Avatar: Fire and Ash
WINNER: Frankenstein
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
Sinners
“Dear Me” from Diane Warren: Relentless
“Golden” from KPop Deamon Hunters
“I Lied to You” from Sinners
“Sweet Dreams of Joy” from Viva Verdii
“Train Dreams” from Train Dreams
The Secret Agent
It Was Just an Accident
Sentimental Value
Sirat
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Butcher’s Stain
A Friend of Dorothy
Jane Austen’s Period Drama
WINNER (Tie): The Singers
WINNER (Tie): Two People Exchanging Saliva
WINNER: All the Empty Rooms
Armed Only With A Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud
The Devil Is Busy
Perfectly a Strangeness
Bugonia
Frankenstein
Hamnet
One Battle After Another
WINNER: Sinners
WINNER: Avatar: Fire and Ash
F1
Jurassic World Rebirth
The Lost Bus
Sinners
Frankenstein
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sinners
Train Dreams
F1
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sentimental Value
Sinners
WINNER: Frankenstein
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sinners
Bugonia
Frankenstein
Hamnet
WINNER: One Battle After Another
Train Dreams
The Alabama Solution
Come See Me in the Good Light
Cutting Through Rocks
WINNER: Mr. Nobody Against Putin
The Perfect Neighbor
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
WINNER: One Battle After Another
The Secret Agent
Sinners
Butterfly
Forevergreen
WINNER: The Girl Who Cried Pearls
Retirement Plan
The Three Sisters
WINNER: Frankenstein
Kokuho
Sinners
The Smashing Machine
The Ugly Stepsister
Arco
Elio
WINNER: Kpop Demon Hunters
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
Zootopia 2
WINNER: F1
Frankenstein
One Battle After Another
Sinners
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2026-03-16 04:47