Billy Crystalgathered a who's who of A-listersat the Academy Awardson Sunday, March 15, to honor the late director,Rob Reiner.
Crystal, 78, gave an emotional speechhonoring Reiner, calling him a "best friend" and detailing the looming legacy he left on the world of film. Running through Reiner's pantheon of successful films, Crystal described a vibrant artist and passionate activist whose wit and comedy delighted audiences for decades.
After his speech, the camera lifted to show a line of Reiner's contemporaries and film comrades, including Crystal's "When Harry Met Sally" co-star Meg Ryan, hand in hand. The tribute preceded the Awards Show's signature In Memorium segment, which also honored Hollywood legends Robert Redford, Catherine O'Hara and Diane Keaton.
'What fun we had storming the castle,' says Billy Crystal during Rob Reiner Oscars tribute
"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," Crystal said onstage. "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."
"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," he continued.
Standing onstage to honor Reiner alongside Ryan and Crystal was Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Jerry O'Connell, Wil Wheaton, Fred Savage, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Carol Kane, Kiefer Sutherland, Demi Moore, Kevin Pollak, Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga.
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The biggest A-listers in Hollywood brought their most lavish looks to the red carpet at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15.See the best fashion of the night, starting with Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson
What happened to Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer?
Rob and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, died Sunday, Dec. 14, after the couple was found dead in the master bedroom of their Los Angeles home in the affluent Brentwood neighborhood, according to Los Angeles police.
Their32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with their murder, accused of fatally stabbing them. He has pleaded not guilty.
1989: "When Harry Met Sally..."Rob Reiner directed iconic Hollywood films throughout his career. Who can forget this classic deli scene with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal (and Reiner's mother Estelle Reiner) in the 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..."?
Look back at the director's iconic films through his career." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
1984: "This is Spinal Tap"" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
1986: "Stand by Me"" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
1990: "Misery"" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
1992: "A Few Good Men"" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
1995: "The American President"" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
1996: "Ghosts of Mississippi"" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
1999: "The Story of Us"" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
2003: "Alex & Emma"" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
2005: "Rumor Has It..."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Director Bob Reiner on the set of the motion picture "Rumor Has It..."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
2007: "The Bucket List"" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
2012: "The Magic of Belle Isle"" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
2014: "And So It Goes"" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
2025: "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues"" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics
1989: "When Harry Met Sally..."Rob Reiner directed iconic Hollywood films throughout his career. Who can forget this classic deli scene with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal (and Reiner's mother Estelle Reiner) in the 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..."?Look back at the director's iconic films through his career.
Reiner's legacy is impossible to forget or avoid in the movie business, his warm and affable comedy forming the backbone of unforgettableclassics like "The Princess Bride" and "When Harry Met Sally."The latter, which upped the ante on Crystal and Ryan's already growing fame, has become a pillar of the American film canon.
In a statement following his death,Crystaljoined with other actors to honor Reiner's legacy. "Absorbing all he had learned from his father Carl and his mentorNorman Lear, Rob Reiner not only was a great comic actor, he became a master storyteller," the statement read. "There is no other director who has his range. 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."
Host Conan O'Brien welcomes viewers and audience members to the Oscars show at the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, March 15, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Zoe Saldaña gives actress Amy Madigan the Oscar for best actress in a supporting role for Madigan's work in "Weapons."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Amy Madigan accepts the Oscar for best actress in a supporting role during the 98th Annual Academy Awards." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Conan O'Brien performs at the start of the 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Host Conan O'Brien onstage at the start of the Oscars show at the 98th Academy Awards." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Emma Stone and Demi Moore share a moment before the Oscars show at the 98th Academy Awards." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Host Conan O'Brien onstage at the start of the Oscars show." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Actress Teyana Taylor, nominated for best supporting actress, and Lynette Howell Taylor, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, before the Oscars show." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner attend the 98th Annual Academy Awards." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner talking with Elle Fanning at the 2026 Oscars." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
See the best celebrity photos captured at the 2026 Oscars
Host Conan O'Brien welcomes viewers and audience members to the Oscars show at the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, March 15, 2026.
It was also signed by Martin Short, Albert and Kimberly Brooks, Larry David and Ashley Underwood, Alan and Robin Zweibel, Marc Shaiman and Lou Mirabal, Barry and Diana Levinson, as well as James Costos and Michael Smith.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Billy Crystal honors 'best friend' Rob Reiner in Oscars tribute
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