Rob Reiner received a touching tribute at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards, less than a month after the director and his wife’s tragic death. Chelsea Handler, who hosted the ceremony, ended her opening monologue with some heartfelt words about the late coach.
“Everyone in this room knows that the nicest man in Hollywood is Rob Reiner,” Handler said. “Anyone who has spent time with Rob Reiner knows that from the moment you met him, talking to him felt like an old friend. He was present, focused and funny, and whether it was talking politics, movies, or the latest beauty trends… After I sent him an email thanking me for dinner a few months ago, he emailed me back and said, “I had so much fun last night, and thank you for explaining so much about plastic surgery.”
Reiner and his wife Michelle Singer were found dead in their home on December 14th. The Oscar-nominated director for films such as “The Princess Bride,” “This is Spinal Tap,” and “Misery” was 78 years old. Reiner’s son Nick was arrested in connection with his parents’ deaths.
“Rob and Michelle worked tirelessly for so many important causes, all born out of one fundamental idea: civility and that we should all look out for each other,” Handler continued. “I think we can all agree that we definitely need more of that. So let’s take tonight as a reminder of that decency and a reminder of everything that Rob and Michele represented and fought so hard for.”
After Reiner’s death, many of his former collaborators released statements praising his work and friendship. Close Hollywood friends, including Billy Crystal, Larry David, Martin Short and Albert Brooks, released a joint statement praising Reiner as not only a “great comedic actor” but also a “master storyteller.”
“There is no other coach with the range he has,” the statement said. “From comedies to dramas to mockumentaries to documentaries, he was always on top. He captivated audiences. Audiences believed in him and lined up to see his films. His comedic touch was unparalleled, his love for getting the music right for his dialogue, and his sharpening of the edge for drama was simply elegant.”
Reiner’s death continued to make national news even as Donald Trump used Truth Social to attack him. The US president claimed that Reiner’s death was due to him “offending others” by speaking out against Trump. Hollywood has responded by accusing President Trump of being cruel and insensitive.
Jimmy Kimmel, for example, accused President Trump of going after Reiner after such a tragic death, calling him a “hateful, vile human being.” The late-night host added: “What we need in times like this, besides common sense on guns and mental health care, is compassion and leadership. The president didn’t give us that, because he couldn’t give us anything. Instead, we got some idiot rambling nonsense.”
