Jamie Lee Curtis honors ‘friend to all’ Rob Reiner in teary tribute at the 78th Emmy Awards

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Late actor-filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, received a heartfelt tribute from Jamie Lee Curtis at the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, September 14. 

Curtis broke down in tears as she remembered her longtime pal, calling him a “friend to all.” Her emotional speech came after singer Noah Kahan led the ‘In Memoriam’ segment at the ceremony with a touching rendition of Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water.’

Jamie Lee Curtis honors late Rob Reiner at the 78th Emmy Awards

Curtis took the stage at the 78th Emmy Awards to close out the ‘In Memoriam’ section with a heartfelt tribute to Reiner. “Last year we lost another cherished legend, our beloved ‘Meathead,’ Rob Reiner,” an emotional Curtis said, in reference to Reiner’s ‘All in the Family’ character. 

“Last week, Robbie won an Emmy for guest actor in a comedy series for his beautiful work on ‘The Bear,’ and he now holds the record of 48 years for the longest gap between acting Emmys, which was previously held by his father Carl Reiner, at 37 years,” she highlighted. 

“We all miss Rob and Michele. And all those we lost this year,” Curtis concluded, fighting back tears. Reiner won a posthumous Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Albert Schnurr in ‘The Bear,’ marking the third win of his career.

The actor-filmmaker won his first Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1974 for playing Michael ‘Meathead’ Stivic in ‘All in the Family.’ He also won a second time in 1978 for the same role in the Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series category. 

His third win came last week, 48 years after his second victory, marking the longest span between acting Emmy wins, a record previously held by his father, Carl Reiner, who won in a gap of 37 years.

Jamie Lee Curtis was ‘numb’ over Rob and Michele Reiner’s deaths

Following the Reiners’ tragic deaths last year, Curtis released a statement on behalf of herself and her husband, Christopher Guest. “Christopher (Guest) and I are numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michele Singer Reiner and our ONLY focus and care right now is for their children and immediate families and we will offer all support possible to help them,” the statement read.

“There will be plenty of time later to discuss the creative lives we shared and the great political and social impact they both had on the entertainment industry, early childhood development, the fight for gay marriage and their global care for a world in crisis. We have lost great friends. Please give us time to grieve,” it concluded.

Rob and Michele Reiner were allegedly stabbed at their home by their son, Nick Reiner, who has been charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances of “lying in wait” and “multiple murders.”

The beloved couple was reportedly found dead with multiple sharp-force injuries at their home in Brentwood. Nick is currently being held at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility.