Jamie Lee Curtis in tears at Emmys while honouring Rob Reiner
Jamie Lee Curtis paid an emotional tribute to Rob Reiner at the 78th Emmy Awards, recalling his record Emmy gap and their long friendship.
Jamie Lee Curtis broke down in tears while paying tribute to her late friend and "New Girl" co-star Rob Reiner during the In Memoriam segment of the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Monday, September 14.
Curtis, 67, called Reiner "a cherished legend" and her "beloved Meathead", a nod to his role as Michael "Meathead" Stivic in "All in the Family". She also remembered his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, and others who died over the past year.
"Last week, Robby won an Emmy for Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his beautiful work on The Bear," Curtis said, adding that he now holds the record for the longest gap between acting Emmys at 48 years, previously held by his father, Carl Reiner, at 37 years.
"He was generous and kind, and funny as hell," she said. "And a friend to all. And we all miss Rob and Michele and all those we lost this year."
The tribute came nine months after Reiner and Michele were killed at their Brentwood home in December 2025. Their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been indicted on two counts of first-degree murder and has pleaded not guilty.
Reiner received a posthumous Emmy at the 2026 Creative Arts Emmys on September 6 for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance as Albert Schnurr in "The Bear". The win drew a lengthy standing ovation and made him a three-time Emmy winner, following acting wins for "All in the Family" in 1974 and 1978. It was also his eighth career Emmy nomination.
Reiner and Curtis appeared together in "New Girl" from 2012 to 2018 as Jess Day's parents, Bob and Joan, and later both appeared in "The Bear". Their families were close beyond their professional work; the Reiners were godparents to Curtis' daughter Annie. Curtis' husband, Christopher Guest, also collaborated with Reiner on "This Is Spinal Tap", "The Princess Bride", "A Few Good Men" and "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues".
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards aired live on NBC and Peacock from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, with Mariska Hargitay as host.