Billy Crystal Leads Tribute to Close Friend Rob Reiner at Oscars 2026, Calls Late Director a 'Master Storyteller'

Billy Crystal is honoring his late friend Rob Reiner.

The 78-year-old actor and comedian came out on stage during the 2026 Academy Awards to begin the In Memoriam segment on Sunday (March 15) at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

While on stage, Billy paid tribute to When Harry Met Sally director Rob and his late wife Michele.

Keep reading to find out more…“I met Mr. Rob Reiner when I was cast as his best friend in an episode of ‘All in the Family’ and it went so well that Rob said, ‘It was fun playing your best friend. Why don’t we keep it going?’” Billy recalled. “And it was a thrill to see him evolve from a great comic actor to a master storyteller.”

“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… 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,” he continued. “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.”

If you didn’t know, Rob and Michele died in December with their son Nick charged in their deaths. Nick has plead not guilty in his parents’ deaths. Their death certificate revealed tragic details of what allegedly happened.