Billy Crystal says Palisades fire and Rob Reiner’s death changed his faith in God
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Billy Crystal has reportedly said that he no longer trusts God after facing setbacks in the past year. The comedian lost his Palisades home in the Los Angeles wildfires in January 2025.
He faced another tragedy in December 2025 after losing his longtime friend and collaborator Rob Reiner. During a new interview, Crystal opened up about how the losses affected his faith and how humor has helped him navigate difficult times.
Billy Crystal says he has lost trust in God
During Sunday's, October 11, episode of 'CBS Sunday Morning', Crystal talked about his new one-man Broadway show, '860', where he shared that there has been a shift in his faith.
“No, 'cause I — I don't trust him. Yeah. Too many bad things have happened. The Earth is in bad shape, this is a weird, scary time. So no, not anymore,” he explained.
Billy Crystal reflects on the importance of humor in his life
But the 78-year-old actor noted that humor has always helped him push through the “darkest of times”.
“That's what I do. You have to, man. You've gotta. It's a healer. It always has been that way. You know, we say when life gets tough, all you can do is laugh,” he explained.
Crystal went on to credit '860' for helping him heal after the fires and Reiner's death.
As he explained, “If I didn't get to perform it, even, I'm OK. I've absorbed the biggest pains that people can go through, the loss of home, dearest of friends, and I'm OK. I'm 78 now, and I feel really good, and I'm optimistic for what life is going to bring.”
“If we've gotten through this in the way that we've gotten through it, we're doing OK,” Crystal added.
Billy Crystal pays tribute to Rob Reiner's films
Reiner and his wife, Michelle Singer Reiner, were found dead at their Brentwood home on December 14, 2025. Their son, Nick Reiner, 32, was accused of their killings.
Later, Crystal paid tribute to the late filmmaker at the 2026 Oscars. He said, “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 …”
“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 added.
