And she experienced that firsthand.

“After I sent him a text thanking him for dinner a few months ago,” she recalled, “he texted me back and said, ‘We had so much fun with you last night. Thanks for explaining so much about plastic surgery. It was very edifying.’”

Chelsea emphasized how Rob and Michelle “were tireless in their efforts to so many important causes, all stemming from one basic idea decency” noting those values are those we need more of. She added, “So let's use tonight as a reminder of that decency and as a reminder of everything Rob and Michelle represented and fought so hard for.”

The crowd, which included Adam, Jean Smart and Delroy Lindo were visibly touched by the moment honoring the legendary director, but it is far from the only way he has been honored since the tragedy occurred late last year. Rob’s family, friends and former colleagues have continued to emphasize the impact he had in his 78 years. 

“Rob Reiner not only was a great comic actor, he became a master storyteller,” Rob’s longtime friends including Billy Crystal, Martin Short, Albert Brooks and Larry David, wrote in a letter to the Associated Press on Dec. 16. “There is no other director who has his range. From comedy to drama to ‘mockumentary’ to documentary he was always at the top of his game. He charmed audiences. They trusted him. They lined up to see his films.”

Similarly, Meg Ryan, who starred in Rob’s When Harry Met Sally alongside Billy, also memorialized both Rob and his wife—who also shared kids Jake Reiner, 34, and Romy Reiner, 28, as well as his daughter Tracy Reiner, 61, from his marriage to Penny Marshall—for their ability to “believe in true love, in fairy tales, and in laughter.”

“Thank you for your faith in the best in people,” Meg wrote in a Dec. 17 Instagram post, “and for your profound love of our country.”

And when it came to the nature of Rob and Michele’s deaths, the Sleepless in Seattle star emphasized she has “to believe that their story will not end with this impossible tragedy.”

“Some good may come, some awareness raised,” Meg added. “I don’t know, but my guess is that they would want that to be hopeful and humane, to be something that brings us all to a greater understanding of one another and to some peace.”

For more stars who stepped out at the Critics Choice Awards 2026, keep reading…