The Tamesis
Considering how many beloved celebrities the world lost last year, the “In Memoriam” portion of the 2026 Oscars ceremony is bound to pack an emotional punch. Still, comedian, actor and nine-time Academy Awards host Billy Crystal opened with a tribute to his old friend and collaborator Rob Reiner, followed by succinct tributes from Rachel McAdams (about Catherine O’Hara and Diane Keaton) and Barbra Streisand (about Robert Redford). Redford) gave a touching speech that was especially heartbreaking.
“I first met Rob Reiner in 1975 when I played his best friend in an episode Everything is in the familyand it was going so well, Rob said, “You know, it’s fun to play your best friend, why don’t we get on with it?” Crystal said before taking the audience through some of Renner’s most beloved films. princess bride and when harry met sally…arrive A few good people. He continued, “My friend Rob’s films will last a lifetime because they speak to the things that make us laugh and cry, and the people we aspire to be…better, kinder, more humane in his eyes. When Michelle Singer came into his life, the films were unstoppable. She was a talented photographer who not only made films with Rob, but it was her energy that kept them working tirelessly to fight social injustice in the country they loved.”
Watch for yourself Christo’s full speech about Rob Singer-Reiner and Michelle Singer-Reiner, below:
Perhaps the most tear-jerking moment of the tribute came when stars from many of Reiner’s films, whom Christo mentioned in his speech, took to the stage and joined hands, reminding the audience of the extraordinary power the late actor had to touch lives and create communities.
