Cast members from a selection of Rob Reiner films appeared on stage at the Oscars last night (March 15) after Billy Crystal delivered an emotional tribute to the late director.
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The 78-year-old filmmaker and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were found murdered in their home in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles late last year.
Their son Nick, 32, was arrested in connection with their deaths and was later charged with two counts of first-degree murder with “special circumstances”, pleading not guilty to the charges at a court appearance in February.
Paying homage to Reiner last night, Crystal – a close friend of the filmmaker and star of his beloved rom-com When Harry Met Sally – reflected on their friendship during the awards ceremony, explaining that they’d met after being cast as best friends in an episode of All in the Family.
“It went so well that Rob said, ‘It was fun playing your best friend. Why don’t we keep it going?’” Crystal recalled. “And it was a thrill to see him evolve from a great comic actor to a master storyteller,” he continued, running through his filmography, including This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, Misery and more.
“My friend Rob’s movies will last for lifetimes because they were about what makes us laugh and cry and what we aspire to be: far better in his eyes, far kinder, far funnier, and far more human,” he continued.
“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 everything to him that his work meant something to you. And for us who had the privilege of working with and knowing him and loving him, all we can say is, buddy, what fun we had storming the castle.”
Crystal was then joined on stage by his When Harry Met Sally co-star Meg Ryan, as well as many of the stars of The Princess Bride, Stand By Me and This Is Spinal Tap, including Kathy Bates, Demi Moore and Jerry O’Connell, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Kiefer Sutherland, Annette Benning, Mandy Patinkin, Fred Savage, Cary Elwes and more.
As reported by Variety, one of Reiner’s collaborators who was not present was Stand By Me star Corey Feldman, who spoke out on X/Twitter before the ceremony.
“Yes, it’s true that I was not invited,” Feldman wrote. “I understand many believe it’s due to being outspoken about the abuse I suffered as a child and the campaign to silence me. However, this isn’t about me. It’s not my moment at all. It’s about the tragic loss of our friend Rob Reiner and his memory. As much I appreciate all support, it’s very sweet of you… but please stop. Please take down any petitions to push for my presence at the awards. They don’t need me there. Will and Jerry got this I’m sure. They will do a fantastic job… I’ll honor Rob my own way.”
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