On Monday night’s episode of The Tonight Show, host Jimmy Fallon took a poignant moment to honor the memory of beloved actor, director, producer, and entertainment legend Rob Reiner, who, along with his wife Michele, recently died in a tragic incident at their Los Angeles home.
News of Reiner’s death has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and the entertainment world, with tributes pouring in from colleagues, fans, and late-night hosts alike. Fallon opened his monologue with heartfelt remarks, expressing the deep sadness felt by everyone at The Tonight Show upon hearing the news of Reiner’s death.
"We’re all very sad at The Tonight Show to hear about the passing of our friend and entertainment legend, Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner,” Fallon said. Reiner was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show, and Fallon fondly remembered how colleagues and crew alike would eagerly stop by to see him.
Fallon then reflected on the scale of Reiner’s impact, from his early days as an actor on All in the Family to his iconic directorial work on films like Stand by Me, The Princess Bride, A Few Good Men, and When Harry Met Sally…, as well as his role producing Seinfeld.
One particularly memorable anecdote Fallon shared was from Reiner’s final appearance on the show. For anyone watching at home, it may have seemed like nothing special, but for Fallon, recent events have added a new level of meaning for the otherwise throwaway bit:
"I personally remember the last time he was on our show, and he came out from the curtain, and I was so happy to see him that I hugged him. And then we didn’t let go hugging all the way to the guest chair. We didn’t plan it. We were just doing a bit, and he knew I was doing a bit and just went along with it."
Fallon described Reiner as one of the smartest and funniest people he'd ever met. That is high praise considering the comedy legends Fallon has crossed paths with over the years at Saturday Night Live, Late Night, and The Tonight Show. The comedian's emotional tribute highlighted the profound loss felt by many, both within and outside the entertainment industry.
Rob Reiner’s career spanned decades, cementing him as a beloved figure in television and film with a remarkable legacy that continues to resonate across the industry and with audiences worldwide. It's no surprise that any interaction, no matter how small or seemingly inconsequential, would resonate with someone like Fallon.
Other late-night hosts, including Seth Meyers and Jimmy Kimmel, joined Fallon in honoring Reiner following the news of his death.
Last Night On's love, thoughts, and prayers are with the Reiner family during this difficult time.