Conan O’Brien shared a glimpse into how late director Rob Reiner will be honored at this year’s Academy Awards, though he didn’t reveal any details. Each year, the Oscars pay tribute to those in the industry who have passed, celebrating their contributions to film and entertainment.
Conan O’Brien Did Not Disclose Details Of The Tribute
O’Brien, the host of the 2026 Academy Awards, is gearing up for the 2026 Oscars, which will take place on March 15. On March 11, Extra caught up with the comedian as he helped roll out the red carpet days ahead of the ceremony.
O’Brien was asked about the tribute to Reiner, to which he replied, “It would be hard to sum up in this environment… I think it would be inappropriate,” referring to the hectic scene with cameras, reporters, and people moving around. However, he did offer a bit of information, saying, “It’s gonna be a very powerful part of the show.”
The comedian and Reiner had been long-time friends, and O’Brien was one of the few people who last saw the director and his wife before their untimely deaths in December 2025.
Conan O’Brien’s Second Time Hosting The Oscars
This year’s Academy Awards will be O’Brien’s second time hosting. His hosting gig in last year’s ceremony garnered a high viewership, prompting his return to the Oscars stage.
The host started coming up with ideas a while ago and even started testing out jokes in comedy clubs. As he told Extra, he had “a lot of fun” hosting last year’s Oscars and wanted to do it again. “The movies this year have been insane. It was such a great year for movies that I’m excited to be even a small part of it,” he explained.
O’Brien teased that he and his team of writers have been working on “more ambitious” ideas for the show, and if it doesn’t land, he jokingly said he could just “skip town if I have to and lay low for a while.”
The Oscars In Memoriam Segment Will Be Longer
The Oscars started honoring deceased entertainment industry members at the Oscars in 1994, and as the producers shared, this year will have a longer segment.
Producer Katy Mullan told Variety that it has been “an incredibly tough year of losses,” and they are extending the segment to take the time in honoring each person. “So many titans have passed away, and there are so many people who care so deeply for a lot of the people we’ll be tributing and honoring,” she explained.
Apart from Reiner, others who have passed in the last year include Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, Robert Redford, and Val Kilmer.
“It’s a chance for people to say goodbye. It’s a chance for them to see some of their favorite people one more time, and it’s a memory. We don’t take it lightly,” Mullan said.
Inside The Deaths Of Rob And Michele Reiner
On December 14, 2025, Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer, were found deceased in their Los Angeles home, riddled with stab wounds. Their son, Nick, was later arrested for the crime.
Less than 24 hours before the murders, the Reiners and Nick attended O’Brien’s holiday party. As previously reported by The Blast, Nick interacted with some celebrity guests and asked them strange questions.
Nick is currently being held without bail in a Los Angeles correctional facility. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and has pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled to go back in court on April 19.
Conan O’Brien Spoke Out About The Reiners
In a February interview with The New Yorker, O’Brien broke his silence on the deaths of his dear friends. The comedian said he and his wife were close to the Reiners, whom he described as “such lovely people.”
As for their passing, O’Brien had difficulty processing the bad news. “To have that experience of saying good night to somebody and having them leave and then find out the next day that they’re gone… I think I was in shock for quite a while afterward,” O’Brien said, adding that he had no words for what he felt.
In March, O’Brien also addressed the fact that his name was associated with Reiner and his wife’s deaths because they were last seen in public at his party. “Very simply, we had a party, we invited our really good friends, and then, the next day, this terrible thing happened,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.
The comedian said that whatever “difficulties” he experienced amid the reporting of his friends’ murders, it was nothing compared to the tragedy Reiner’s family is facing. “There’s only sadness that they’re gone,” he added.
