Billy Crystal’s ‘first thought’ is often to call Rob Reiner, months after director’s death: ‘It happens a lot’
Rob Reiner and Billy Crystal in 2019Credit: Dia Dipasupil/GettyThe “When Harry Met Sally” star and director became “forever” friends in 1977. Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were murdered in December 2025.Key Points
Billy Crystal shared that he often feels the urge to phone “forever” friend Rob Reiner.
“It happens a lot,” the When Harry Met Sally star said of the months since the director’s death.
Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were murdered in December 2025.
Nearly a year after Rob Reiner’s death, Billy Crystal often wants to let his “forever” friend know how things are going.
The When Harry Met Sally star shared with Entertainment Weekly’s sister publicati that the urge “happens a lot.”
“We had the first run-through on this stage, and i felt so good. I ran upstairs to the dressing room, and my first thought was, ‘I’ve got to call Rob,’” Crystal said of working on his upcoming one-man Broadway show, 860. “I don’t know if I want that to keep happening or I do want it to keep happening.”
Billy Crystal, Rob Reiner, and Meg Ryan on the set of ‘When Harry Met Sally’Credit: Everett Collection
Crystal also credited Reiner — who directed his performances in When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, and This Is Spinal Tap — with having named 860.
“I gave him these [different] titles, and he said, ‘I think 860. That’s the one. I love that,’” recalled the six-time Emmy winner. “So he’s there for me in that way too. What can I tell you?”
The former Oscar host also reflected on meeting Reiner, when Crystal was cast to play the latter’s best friend on All in the Family.
“He’s tall and he’s in charge. He looked at me, a new guy, and said, ‘Billy, what do you think we should do there?’” Crystal recalled of his first impression. “So many times we couldn’t keep a straight face. I knew it from that first week that this is going to be a forever thing. It’s not something you can define, which makes the loss even more profound.”
Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner on ‘All in the Family’Credit: Everett
Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were murdered at their Brentwood home on Dec. 14, 2025.
The couple — who met on the When Harry Met Sally set and married in 1989 — shared sons Jake, 35, and Nick, 33, and daughter Romy, 28.
Nick was arrested and charged with his parents’ murders. He has pleaded not guilty.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced last month that, if convicted, Nick will not face the death penalty. He will though be eligible for life in prison without parole, given the special-circumstance allegation of lying in wait.
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At the 2026 Oscars, Crystal and When Harry Met Sally costar Meg Ryan were among the stars of Reiner’s beloved filmography who paid tribute to the late director and Michele, a photographer and producer.
“We were able to hold hands and walk out there in tribute with a beautiful picture of Rob and Michele, because they were our closest friends,” Crystal said in April, during an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
Crystal said that the reunion “would have made [Reiner] really smile.”
Source: Crime
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