“Everyone in this room knows that Rob Reiner is the nicest guy in Hollywood,” the host said, opening the ceremony.
LOS ANGELES – Chelsea Handler, best known for skewering celebrities, opened the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards with a heartfelt tribute to Rob Reiner and Michelle Reiner.
Handler, 50, got serious at the end of her monologue on Sunday, January 4, and began talking about the beloved director and his wife, who were murdered in their Brentwood home on December 14. The couple’s son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with the double murder and is scheduled to next appear in court on January 7th.
“Everyone in this room knows that the nicest man in Hollywood is Rob Reiner,” Handler told the crowd. “The moment I met him, I felt like he was an old friend. … He asked a lot of questions, whether we were talking about politics, movies, or the latest beauty trends.”
The four-time host said that in a text message to Reiner after they recently dined together, the director of “The Princess Bride” and “When Harry Met Sally…” responded favorably to the comic’s light dinner conversation.
“He wrote, ‘Thank you for explaining so much about plastic surgery, it was so enlightening,'” Handler said, adding that the Reiners work “tirelessly” for an important cause.
“It all stemmed from one basic idea: common sense,” she said. “I think we can all agree that we definitely need more of that value.”
Chelsea Handler jokes about Leonardo DiCaprio’s travel troubles
Mr. Handler wasn’t serious about the ceremony, taking aim at the celebrity-packed venue and “One Battle After Another” star Leonardo DiCaprio, who missed out on winning the Palm Springs International Film Awards the day before due to travel disruptions. The “Titanic” star was late leaving for a tropical vacation with his entourage, including Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez.
“Leo is here, thank God,” Handler said. “Leo got stuck on a boat in St. Barts and almost didn’t make it tonight.”
As Handler continued, the show’s camera cut to a frustrated DiCaprio in the audience.
“It was almost like Titanic, but worse because Jeff Bezos was there,” Handler said.
