USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change.Jerry O'Connell breaks down in emotional tribute to Rob Reiner Brendan Morrow, USA TODAYDecember 22, 2025 at 5:23 AM 0 Jerry O'Connell is sharing an emotional tribute to the man who launched his career. The actor, 51, appeared in a CBS special about Rob Reiner that aired Dec. 21 and delivered powerful reflections on what the late filmmaker meant to him. Reiner directed the first movie of O'Connell's career: 1986's "Stand by Me.
- - USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change.Jerry O'Connell breaks down in emotional tribute to Rob Reiner
Brendan Morrow, USA TODAYDecember 22, 2025 at 5:23 AM
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Jerry O'Connell is sharing an emotional tribute to the man who launched his career.
The actor, 51, appeared in a CBS special about Rob Reiner that aired Dec. 21 and delivered powerful reflections on what the late filmmaker meant to him. Reiner directed the first movie of O'Connell's career: 1986's "Stand by Me."
In the "Rob Reiner - Scenes from a Life" special, O'Connell broke down in tears as he spoke about Reiner's kindness.
"Rob Reiner heard I was in LA, and he took me out to lunch, man," he said. "He didn't have to do that, you know what I'm saying? It was months after the movie came out, and he was a busy man. He took a 12-year-old me out to lunch, just to be like, 'Thanks so much.'"
Jerry O'Connell attends the Academy Awards in Hollywood on March 2, 2025.
Continuing to choke up, he added, "That lunch meant so much to me. It's just stuff that kids need to hear."
When Jerry O'Connell was 11, he was cast as Vern Tessio in "Stand By Me." Rob Reiner was like a father figure to O'Connell while working on the film — and after it hit theaters. "He was a busy man, and he took a 12-year-old me out to lunch." pic.twitter.com/h6D78oRPVZ
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 22, 2025
Elsewhere in the special, O'Connell described Reiner as "the best director ever, period" and said that "everything I have in my life is because I was in 'Stand By Me.'" He also recalled the way the filmmaker would encourage him to be himself on set.
'Family love radiated' from 'magical' Michele Reiner, her friend says – Exclusive
O'Connell starred as Vern in the classic coming-of-age film "Stand by Me" alongside Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman and River Phoenix. He was 11 when he shot the movie, which marked his film debut.
O'Connell previously told People magazine in 2017 that making "Stand By Me" was "one of the best experiences of my life," adding, "We had a summer of just walking around in the woods and goofing around. Rob was really good at rehearsing with us. We didn't even know we were rehearsing. We thought we were playing games."
Jerry O'Connell attends the Daytime Emmys in Los Angeles on June 7, 2024, in Los Angeles.
Reiner, who also directed a string of classic films like "When Harry Met Sally…" and "The Princess Bride," was found dead in his California home on Dec. 14 alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner. Their son, 32-year-old Nick Reiner, has been charged with murder in connection with their deaths.
Latest on Rob Reiner's death – What we know as investigation continues
The deaths have sparked an outpouring of grief in Hollywood. O'Connell previously shared a throwback photo of himself as a child alongside Reiner on Instagram, writing, "Love you, Rob. Sincerely." The actor also reflected on the impact of Reiner on his life on "CBS Mornings" last week.
Rob Reiner speaks onstage at Collider's Directors On Directing Panel during 2025 Comic-Con International: San Diego at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/jIHyfTx class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner speaks onstage at Collider's Directors On Directing Panel during 2025 Comic-Con International: San Diego at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2025.
">Rob Reiner speaks onstage at Collider's Directors On Directing Panel during 2025 Comic-Con International: San Diego at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2025.
" src=https://ift.tt/jIHyfTx class=caas-img>Rob Reiner attends SiriusXM Presents Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend Live With The Cast Of "Spinal Tap 2" at SiriusXM Studios on Sept. 4, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/B2yvUYN class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner attends SiriusXM Presents Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend Live With The Cast Of "Spinal Tap 2" at SiriusXM Studios on Sept. 4, 2025.
">Rob Reiner attends SiriusXM Presents Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend Live With The Cast Of "Spinal Tap 2" at SiriusXM Studios on Sept. 4, 2025.
" src=https://ift.tt/B2yvUYN class=caas-img>Rob Reiner attends the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/dlBb2sp class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner attends the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
">Rob Reiner attends the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/dlBb2sp class=caas-img>From left: C. J. Vanston, Harry Shearer, Valerie Franco, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Fran Drescher and Rob Reiner attend the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Qwxs7AV class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
From left: C. J. Vanston, Harry Shearer, Valerie Franco, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Fran Drescher and Rob Reiner attend the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
">From left: C. J. Vanston, Harry Shearer, Valerie Franco, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Fran Drescher and Rob Reiner attend the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/Qwxs7AV class=caas-img>Rob Reiner attends the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5vp9NL4 class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner attends the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
">Rob Reiner attends the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/5vp9NL4 class=caas-img>Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 LA Dinner at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/XCwoje0 class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 LA Dinner at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.
">Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 LA Dinner at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.
" src=https://ift.tt/XCwoje0 class=caas-img>Rob Reiner attends the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 dinner in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/tiPIVEe class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner attends the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 dinner in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.
">Rob Reiner attends the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 dinner in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.
" src=https://ift.tt/tiPIVEe class=caas-img>Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 LA Dinner at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3VfUR07 class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 LA Dinner at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.
">Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 LA Dinner at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.
" src=https://ift.tt/3VfUR07 class=caas-img>Rob Reiner speaks onstage at the screening of "The American President" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/rhI9u47 class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner speaks onstage at the screening of "The American President" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.
">Rob Reiner speaks onstage at the screening of "The American President" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.
" src=https://ift.tt/rhI9u47 class=caas-img>Rob Reiner attends the screening of "Misery" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/iIPwheM class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner attends the screening of "Misery" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.
">Rob Reiner attends the screening of "Misery" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.
" src=https://ift.tt/iIPwheM class=caas-img>Rob Reiner and Kathy Bates attend the screening of "Misery" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/OPT8k6f class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner and Kathy Bates attend the screening of "Misery" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.
">Rob Reiner and Kathy Bates attend the screening of "Misery" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.
" src=https://ift.tt/OPT8k6f class=caas-img>Aaron Sorkin, Rob Reiner and TCM Host Ben Mankiewicz attend the screening of "The American President" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/neLQfMq class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Aaron Sorkin, Rob Reiner and TCM Host Ben Mankiewicz attend the screening of "The American President" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.
">Aaron Sorkin, Rob Reiner and TCM Host Ben Mankiewicz attend the screening of "The American President" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.
" src=https://ift.tt/neLQfMq class=caas-img>Jake Reiner, Romy Reiner, Rob Reiner, and Michele Reiner attend the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024, in Los Angeles, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/hRIpuf6 class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Jake Reiner, Romy Reiner, Rob Reiner, and Michele Reiner attend the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024, in Los Angeles, California.
">Jake Reiner, Romy Reiner, Rob Reiner, and Michele Reiner attend the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024, in Los Angeles, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/hRIpuf6 class=caas-img>Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers speak onstage during the 75th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Jan. 15, 2024.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/JL3fdV8 class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers speak onstage during the 75th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Jan. 15, 2024.
">Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers speak onstage during the 75th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Jan. 15, 2024.
" src=https://ift.tt/JL3fdV8 class=caas-img>Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner attend the 46th Kennedy Center Honors gala at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on Dec. 3, 2023.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/T7SixsR class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner attend the 46th Kennedy Center Honors gala at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on Dec. 3, 2023.
">Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner attend the 46th Kennedy Center Honors gala at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on Dec. 3, 2023.
" src=https://ift.tt/T7SixsR class=caas-img>Director Rob Reiner attends the photocall of "This Is Spinal Tap" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Majestic Beach on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/sCNjTRL class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Director Rob Reiner attends the photocall of "This Is Spinal Tap" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Majestic Beach on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France.
">Director Rob Reiner attends the photocall of "This Is Spinal Tap" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Majestic Beach on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France.
" src=https://ift.tt/sCNjTRL class=caas-img>Director Rob Reiner attends the photocall of "This Is Spinal Tap" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Majestic Beach on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/71gGpWT class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Director Rob Reiner attends the photocall of "This Is Spinal Tap" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Majestic Beach on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France.
">Director Rob Reiner attends the photocall of "This Is Spinal Tap" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Majestic Beach on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France.
" src=https://ift.tt/71gGpWT class=caas-img>Director Rob Reiner attends the photocall of "This Is Spinal Tap" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Majestic Beach on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0Yl8cfd class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Director Rob Reiner attends the photocall of "This Is Spinal Tap" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Majestic Beach on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France.
">Director Rob Reiner attends the photocall of "This Is Spinal Tap" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Majestic Beach on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France.
" src=https://ift.tt/0Yl8cfd class=caas-img>Rob Reiner attends The Paley Honors: A Special Tribute To Television's Comedy Legends at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on Nov. 21, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/8XvYO9i class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner attends The Paley Honors: A Special Tribute To Television's Comedy Legends at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on Nov. 21, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Rob Reiner attends The Paley Honors: A Special Tribute To Television's Comedy Legends at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on Nov. 21, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/8XvYO9i class=caas-img>Rob Reiner and Larry David attend the Los Angeles premiere of Neon's "The Biggest Little Farm" at the Landmark Theater on May 7, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/rTvQYVC class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner and Larry David attend the Los Angeles premiere of Neon's "The Biggest Little Farm" at the Landmark Theater on May 7, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.
">Rob Reiner and Larry David attend the Los Angeles premiere of Neon's "The Biggest Little Farm" at the Landmark Theater on May 7, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/rTvQYVC class=caas-img>Rob Reiner and Larry David attend the Los Angeles premiere of Neon's "The Biggest Little Farm" at the Landmark Theater on May 7, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/OVHmQh3 class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner and Larry David attend the Los Angeles premiere of Neon's "The Biggest Little Farm" at the Landmark Theater on May 7, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.
">Rob Reiner and Larry David attend the Los Angeles premiere of Neon's "The Biggest Little Farm" at the Landmark Theater on May 7, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/OVHmQh3 class=caas-img>Rob Reiner attends the "This Is Spinal Tap" 35th anniversary during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at the Beacon Theatre.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5uJxnP9 class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Rob Reiner attends the "This Is Spinal Tap" 35th anniversary during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at the Beacon Theatre.
">Rob Reiner attends the "This Is Spinal Tap" 35th anniversary during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at the Beacon Theatre.
" src=https://ift.tt/5uJxnP9 class=caas-img>From left: Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, and Rob Reiner attend the "This Is Spinal Tap" 35th anniversary during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at the Beacon Theatre on April 27, 2019, in New York City.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/JXxw6RY class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
From left: Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, and Rob Reiner attend the "This Is Spinal Tap" 35th anniversary during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at the Beacon Theatre on April 27, 2019, in New York City.
">From left: Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, and Rob Reiner attend the "This Is Spinal Tap" 35th anniversary during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at the Beacon Theatre on April 27, 2019, in New York City.
" src=https://ift.tt/JXxw6RY class=caas-img>Special Guests Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony: Billy Crystal at the 2019 10th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival on April 12, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/zngsP32 class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Special Guests Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony: Billy Crystal at the 2019 10th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival on April 12, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
">Special Guests Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony: Billy Crystal at the 2019 10th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival on April 12, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/zngsP32 class=caas-img>Special guests Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on April 12, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3hoPsVr class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Special guests Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on April 12, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
">Special guests Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on April 12, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/3hoPsVr class=caas-img>Special guests Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on April 12, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/M08lePD class=caas-img data-headline="Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career." data-caption="
Special guests Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on April 12, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
">Special guests Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on April 12, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/M08lePD class=caas-img>
1 / 26Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career.
Rob Reiner speaks onstage at Collider's Directors On Directing Panel during 2025 Comic-Con International: San Diego at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2025.
"He was like a father to me," he said. "It's just surreal."
The CBS special also featured a number of other interviews with Reiner's past collaborators, including "The Princess Bride" star Mandy Patinkin. Patinkin broke down in tears as he recalled telling Reiner, after watching the film for the first time, that he "never dreamed I would get to be in something like this" and that Reiner "made that dream for me."
Reiner received another tribute over the weekend during the Christmas episode of "Saturday Night Live." Near the end of the show, a photo of the actor and director was shown on screen. Reiner served as the third-ever host of "SNL" in October 1975.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jerry O'Connell delivers emotional Rob Reiner tribute
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: December 22, 2025 at 03:46PM on Source: ANDY MAG
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