Full Breakdown
Corey Feldman Reflects on Exclusion from Rob Reiner's Oscars Tribute
3/29/2026, 3:57:35 AM
Tribute to Rob Reiner at the 2026 Oscars
During the 98th Academy Awards, a tribute was held for the late director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, who were found dead in December 2025. The tribute featured several notable figures from Reiner's film career, including Jerry O’Connell and Wil Wheaton, who starred alongside Feldman in the 1986 film *Stand by Me*. Feldman, however, was notably absent from the onstage reunion, which he later described as feeling "a little bit like a family reunion I wasn’t invited to."
Corey Feldman's Reaction
In an interview with *Entertainment Weekly*, Feldman expressed mixed feelings about his exclusion from the tribute. He acknowledged that while he did not feel he missed much from the brief moment, he was somewhat bothered that no one had the opportunity to speak from the heart during the tribute. "I personally was probably maybe a little bothered by the fact that nobody got to speak or do or say anything from their own heart," he stated. Despite this, he commended O’Connell and Wheaton for their participation, saying, "I think Jerry and Wil did what had to be done."
Feldman emphasized the collective grief felt by those close to Reiner, stating, "we're all very destroyed that things went down the way they did, losing Rob when we all thought he’d be joining us at some point for this tour and it’s a tragedy." He noted that the best way to honor Reiner's legacy is through ongoing celebrations of his work, particularly with the theatrical re-release of *Stand by Me* for its 40th anniversary.
Background on the Reiners' Death
Rob Reiner, aged 78, and Michele Reiner, aged 70, were discovered dead in their Los Angeles home on December 14, 2025. Their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested the following day and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty and faces a potential life sentence or the death penalty if convicted, with his next court appearance scheduled for April 29, 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
Feldman expressed his appreciation for the Academy's decision to honor Reiner, stating, "the best way we can say goodbye is honoring him and his work." He also mentioned that the tribute was a moment to reflect on the impact of Reiner's films, which have resonated with audiences for decades.
Criticism & Opposition
While Feldman did not dwell on his feelings of exclusion, he did highlight a desire for more personal reflections during the tribute. He remarked, "Although they did a wonderful job, I would’ve liked to have heard from Wil and Jerry and a few other people up there," indicating a missed opportunity for deeper emotional connection during the tribute.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Personally, it felt a little bit like a family reunion I wasn’t invited to, but we’re not going to use this time to go into my feeling about that,” — Corey Feldman
- “I think Jerry and Wil did what had to be done,” — Corey Feldman
- “Instead I just want to say that I’m with the rest of us, we’re all very destroyed that things went down the way they did, losing Rob when we all thought he’d be joining us at some point for this tour and it’s a tragedy.” — Corey Feldman
Feldman's reflections on the tribute underscore the complex emotions surrounding the loss of Rob Reiner and the impact of his legacy on those who worked with him.
