Billy Crystal pays emotional tribute to Rob Reiner at the Oscars: the loss is immeasurable
The star of 1989’s “When Harry Met Sally” was at the 2026 Oscars on Sunday night to honor beloved romantic comedy filmmaker Rob Reiner, who died in December at the age of 78.
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“My friend Rob’s movies will last a lifetime, because they are about what makes us laugh and cry and what we aspire to be: much better in his eyes, much kinder, much funnier and much more human,” Crystal said.
He later added: “To the millions who have enjoyed his films all these years, I want you to know here and around the world how many times Rob told me that it meant the world to him that his work meant something to you.”
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Reiner was the son of comedy giant Carl Reiner and eventually made a big name for himself. He became one of the most notable filmmakers of his generation with “The Princess Bride,” “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Stand By Me” and “A Few Good Men,” among many others.
Actors from Reiner’s various projects, including Crystal’s “When Harry Met Sally” co-star Meg Ryan, “A Few Good Men” star Demi Moore and “Misery” star Kathy Bates, joined Crystal on stage for her tribute during the “In Memoriam” segment.
The musical theme from “The Princess Bride” accompanied the beginning of the segment.
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Reiner and his wife, producer Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on December 14. The Los Angeles County medical examiner later reported that the couple died of “multiple sharp force injuries.“
His son Nick Reiner has been loaded with two counts of first-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty in February. His next hearing is scheduled for April 29.
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Corey Feldman’s claims came after The Daily Mail reported that the actor was”devastated” not being invited to participate in the tribute to the late director.
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Crystal also made it a point to talk about singer Reiner. “And when Michele Singer came into their life, they were unstoppable: a talented photographer, not only did she produce films with Rob,” Crystal said, “but it was her energy that made them work tirelessly to fight social injustice in the country they both love.”
The happy ending of “When Harry Met Sally” was inspired by Reiner’s blossoming romance with singer Reiner, whom he met during production. Reiner has said in past interviews that Harry and Sally were not originally supposed to end up together in earlier drafts of the script, which was written by the late Nora Ephron. But thanks to her romance with Singer during the filming of the film, the ending changed and features one of the greatest declarations of love in cinema.
Crystal went on to mention his instrumental role in helping to legalize gay marriage.
Reiner and Singer Reiner served on the board of directors of the American Foundation for Equal Rights in 2008 to help fight California’s Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in the state.
“Rob and Michele Reiner became the driving force behind the historic decision for marriage equality across the United States,” Crystal said.
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Crystal was incredibly close to Reiner, and their friendship predates their collaboration on “When Harry Met Sally,” and Crystal details their “bromance” that spanned five decades in an essay for The Hollywood Reporter in 2016.
The couple met in 1975, when Crystal was cast as Reiner’s on-screen friend in Norman Lear’s sitcom “All in the Family.” Crystal was impressed with Reiner and the two quickly hit it off, “and we said, ‘It feels good on stage, why don’t we continue this in our lives?’ We became the closest of friends.”
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They were so close that Crystal and her friend and comedian Larry David were seen at the Reiner family home shortly after the bodies of Reiner and his wife were found. Crystal “looked like she was about to cry,” a neighbor said ABC 7 Los Angeles.
“His loss is immeasurable,” Crystal said at the Oscars.