When Harry Met Sally co-stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan reunite at the Oscars to honor Rob Reiner. Sources say Crystal’s memorial section will include a conversation about the late filmmaker and actor. Ryan will be on stage at the same time as the other stars of Reiner’s films.
Reiner and his wife were found dead in their Brentwood home on Dec. 14. The Los Angeles County coroner later reported that the couple died from “multiple sharp force injuries.” Their son Nick was arrested and charged with two counts of murder.
Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty on February 23rd. The 32-year-old appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court and spoke only once, agreeing to a future court date of April 29. He has been charged with two counts of murder and, if convicted, could face the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
Following Rob and Michelle’s deaths, a group of the director’s closest friends and collaborators, including Crystal, Larry David, Martin Short and Albert Brooks, released a joint statement.
“By absorbing everything he learned from his father Karl and mentor Norman Lear, Rob Reiner became not only a great comedic actor, but a master storyteller,” the statement said. “No other director has the range he has. From comedies to dramas to mockumentaries to documentaries, he was always at the top. He captivated audiences. Audiences believed in him. They lined up to see his films.”
They also wrote, “We were their friends and we will forever miss them,” before closing with a quote from It’s a Wonderful Life, one of Reiner’s favorite movies. You have no idea. ”
News of Crystal and Ryan’s Oscar appearance comes hours after I confirmed that Barbra Streisand was in talks to sing in “In Memoriam” honoring her “The Way We Were” co-star Robert Redford.
The 98th Academy Awards will be hosted by Conan O’Brien and will be held on March 15th at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu.
