How the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards Honored the Late Rob Reiner

Rob Reiner honored during live television 2026 Critics Choice Awards.

As Hollywood’s biggest stars attended the annual event at the Barker Hangar in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 4, manager. Chelsea Handler took a moment during his opening monologue to honor Rob and his late wife, Michele Singer Reiner. Handler, 50, began congratulating the Reiners after the call Adam Sandler “The most handsome boy in Hollywood.”

“Actually, he’s the second best in Hollywood,” Handler said. “Because everybody in this room knows that the nicest guy in Hollywood was Rob Reiner. Anyone who’s ever spent time with Rob Reiner knows the minute you met him, you felt like an old friend. When you talked to him, he was there, he was focused and funny, and he’d ask you a lot of questions. Whether he was talking about politics or film or the latest hottie.”

The comedian went on to discuss the memory of Rob and Michele, noting that he saw them last year before their deaths.

“After I texted him thanking him for dinner a few months ago, he texted me saying, ‘We had so much fun with you last night. Thank you for explaining so much about plastic surgery, it was very constructive,'” Handler recalled. “Rob and Michele were tireless in their efforts to do that [support] many important causes, all stemming from one basic idea: respect. That we all have to see each other. And I think we can all agree that we definitely need more of that. So, let’s use tonight as a reminder of that good behavior and as a reminder of everything that Rob and Michele stood for and fought so hard for.”

This memorial comes just three weeks after Rob and Michele were found stabbed to death in their home in Brentwood, California, on December 14, 2025.

One day later, Us confirmed that he is the son of Rob and Michele Nick Reiner He was arrested due to the death of his parents. He has since been charged with two counts of murder.

Nick didn’t apply, but he did the employee powerhouse attorney Alan Jackson (which he previously defended Karen Read) to represent him. His trial is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7.

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The family of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, have broken their silence following the couple’s death. The family of the two released a statement hours after Rob and Michele were killed in their home in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 14. […]

“This is a tragic tragedy for the Reiner family,” Jackson said journalists in December. “We all realized that our hearts go out to the entire Reiner family. There are very complex and serious issues associated with this case. Those need to be carefully, but carefully handled and examined and looked at and analyzed.”

As Nick’s case continues, many in and around Hollywood continue to celebrate the lives of Rob and Michele.

After landing the role of Michael “Meathead” Stivic in the 1970s sitcom All in the FamilyRob went on to become one of the most notable directors in Hollywood. His projects include The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally again Beautiful Little Men.

As for Michele, she was an established photographer and worked as an actress and producer.

Michele and Rob married in 1989 and went on to welcome children Jake, Nick and Romy Reiner. Rob was also a father to Tracy Reiner, whom he met during his first marriage Penny Marshall.

“They were in the best place of their lives: loving each other, loving their friends, their families, their country,” a close friend. Maria Shriver wrote about Instagram on December 15. “They loved their children very much, and they never stopped trying to be really good parents, my love is with their family. I am sad for them.

Related: The Deaths of Rob Reiner and Wife Michele: Everything We Know So Far

Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their home on December 14, 2025. TMZ reported at the time that the Los Angeles Fire Department was called to the scene that afternoon to provide “medical assistance.” It was later reported that a 78-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman […]

Billy Crystal joined other close Hollywood friends in honoring Rob and Michele with their personal statement.

While the tribute recognizes Rob’s success on the big screen, the statement also praised the director and Michele’s achievements as a couple.

“Rob was also a loving, courageous citizen, who not only cared for the country he loved, he did everything he could to make it better and his loving wife, Michele, was the perfect partner,” the statement said. The Associated Press said. “Strong and determined, Michele and Rob Reiner have devoted much of their lives to the betterment of our citizens. …