Rob Reiner was honored during a live broadcast of the Critics Choice Awards 2026.
Like Hollywood’s biggest stars attended the annual event at the Barker Hangar in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 4, host Chelsea Handler took time during his opening monologue to honor Rob and his late wife, Michele Singer Reiner. Handler, 50, began his tribute to the Reiners after calling Adam Sandler “The nicest guy in Hollywood.”
“You’re actually the second nicest guy in Hollywood,” Handler said. “Because everyone in this room knows that the nicest guy in Hollywood was Rob Reiner. Anyone who’s ever spent time with Rob Reiner knows that the moment you met him, he felt like an old friend. When I was in a conversation with him, he was present and he was focused and he was funny, and he asked you a lot of questions. Whether you were talking about beauty or trends in politics.”
The comedian shared a personal memory of Rob and Michele, noting that he had seen them last year before their deaths.
The stars’ fashion choices were off the charts at the Critics Choice Awards 2026. This year, stars like Amanda Seyfried, Emma Stone, Timothée Chalamet, Michael B. Jordan and more were nominated for a trophy. Thank you! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By registering, I accept the (…)
“After I texted her thanks for dinner a few months ago, she texted back saying, ‘We had so much fun with you last night. Thank you for telling us so much about plastic surgery, it was very uplifting,” Handler recalled. “Rob and Michele were tireless in their efforts to (support) so many important causes, all stemming from one basic idea: decency. That we should all take care of each other. And I think we can all agree that we definitely need more of this. So let’s use tonight as a reminder of that decency and a reminder of everything that Rob and Michele stood for so strongly.”
Chelsea Handler speaks on stage during the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards on January 4, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Critics Choice AssociationThe tribute comes just three weeks after Rob and Michele were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood, California home on December 14, 2025.
A day later, we confirmed that Rob and Michele’s son Nick Reiner he was arrested in connection with the death of his parents. He has since been charged with two counts of first degree murder.
Nick hasn’t entered a plea, but he has contracted power of attorney Alan Jackson (which he previously defended Karen Read) to represent him. His appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7.
The family of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, have broken their silence following the couple’s death. The couple’s family shared a statement hours after Rob and Michele were killed in their Los Angeles home on Sunday, December 14. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the tragic death of Michele and Rob Reiner” (…)
“This is a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family,” Jackson said he said journalists in december “We all recognized that our hearts go out to the entire Reiner family. There are very, very complex and serious issues associated with this case. They need to be dealt with and examined and examined and analyzed thoroughly, but very carefully.”
As Nick’s legal case continues, many in and around Hollywood continue to celebrate Rob and Michele’s lives.
Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner
KENT NISHIMURA/AFP via Getty ImagesAfter landing the role of Michael “Meathead” Stivic in the 1970s sitcom All in the FamilyRob became one of Hollywood’s most notable directors. His projects include The Princess Bride, When Harry met Sally i A few good men.
As for Michele, she was an established photographer who also worked as an actress and producer.
Michele and Rob married in 1989 and welcomed children Jake, Nick and Romy Reiner. Rob also fathered Tracy Reiner, whom he adopted during his first marriage Penny Marshall.
“They were in the best place of their lives: loving each other, loving their friends, their family, their country,” a close friend. Mary Shriver wrote via Instagram on December 15. “They loved their children very much and never stopped trying to be good parents. My love goes out to their family. I am so sad for them. I am devastated, gutted, shocked, stunned and very sad, as are all the people who loved them and who they loved.”
Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their home on December 14, 2025. At the time, TMZ reported that the Los Angeles Fire Department had been called to the scene in the afternoon to administer “medical aid.” It was later reported that a 78-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman had been (…)
Billy Crystal joined other close Hollywood friends to honor Rob and Michele with a own personal statement.
While the tribute acknowledged Rob’s achievements on the big screen, the statement also praised the director and Michele’s achievements as a duo.
“Rob was also a passionate and courageous citizen, who not only cared about this country he loved, but did everything he could to make it better, and with his beloved wife, Michele, he had the perfect match,” the statement said. Associated Press he stated “Strong and determined, Michele and Rob Reiner devoted much of their lives to the betterment of our fellow citizens. . . . They were a special force together: dynamic, selfless and inspiring. We were their friends and will miss them forever.”