Rob Reiner Praised as ‘Nicest Guy in Hollywood’ in Chelsea Handler’s Tribute at Critics Choice Awards: ‘Let’s Use Tonight as a Reminder’ of His ‘Decency’
Rob Reiner received an emotional tribute at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, which took place less than a month after the director and his wife’s tragic deaths. Chelsea Handler was the host of the awards ceremony and finished her opening monologue by sharing heartfelt words about the late director.
“Everyone in this room knows that the nicest guy in Hollywood was Rob Reiner,” Handler said. “Anyone who ever spent time with Rob Reiner knows that the minute you met him, he felt like an old friend when you were in a conversation with him. He was present, he was focused, and he was funny, and he would ask you tons of questions, whether you were discussing politics or film or the latest beauty trends. He was all in after I sent him a text thanking him for dinner a few months ago. He texted me back and said, ‘We had so much fun with you last night. Thanks for explaining so much about plastic surgery. It was very edifying.’”
Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer, were found dead in their home on Dec. 14. The Oscar-nominated filmmaker of “The Princess Bride,” “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Misery” and more was 78 years old. Reiner’s son, Nick, was arrested in connection with his parents’ deaths.
“Rob and Michele were tireless in their efforts to so many important causes, all stemming from one basic idea: Decency, 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 use tonight as a reminder of that decency and as a reminder of everything Rob and Michele represented and fought so hard for.”
In the aftermath of Reiner’s death, many of his former collaborators issued statements honoring his legacy and friendship. A group of his closest Hollywood friends, including Billy Crystal, Larry David, Martin Short and Albert Brooks, released a joint statement in which Reiner was praised not only as “a great comic actor” but also a “master storyteller.”
“There is no other director who has his range,” the statement read. “From comedy to drama to ‘mockumentary’ to documentary, he was always at the top of his game. He charmed audiences. They trusted him. They lined up to see his films. His comedic touch was beyond compare, his love of getting the music of the dialogue just right, and his sharpening of the edge of a drama was simply elegant.”
Reiner’s death continued to make national news when Donald Trump used Truth Social to attack the late director. The U.S. president alleged Reiner’s death was “due to the anger he caused others” from being outspokenly anti-Trump. Hollywood reacted by lambasting Trump for being cruel and insensitive.
Jimmy Kimmel, for instance, bashed Trump as “hateful and vile” for going after Reiner after such a tragic death. The late-night host added, “What we need at a time like this, besides common sense when it comes to guns and mental health care, is compassion and leadership. We did not get that from our president, because he has none of it to give. Instead, we got a fool rambling about nonsense.”
