Washington DC, March 13
Conan O'Brien has confirmed that the 2026 Oscars will feature a powerful tribute to filmmaker Rob Reiner during an extended "In Memoriam" segment. Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, died in December last year. Producers say the segment aims to honour several influential figures lost in the past year, according to People.
Speaking while helping roll out the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, O'Brien said the tribute would be a significant and emotional segment of the 98th Oscars ceremony. However, he declined to reveal details of the planned tribute.
"But it's going to be a very powerful part of the show," O'Brien said when asked about how the ceremony would honour Reiner. He added that the tribute would be difficult to describe in advance, suggesting it would be an emotional moment for viewers and the film industry alike.
During a press conference earlier this week, Oscars producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan said the traditional "In Memoriam" segment would be extended this year to recognise several notable figures from the entertainment industry who died over the past year, as per the outlet.
"I guess we can't really go into detail of what it's gonna be this year, but we really hope that it is a tribute that moves people and feels like it does the incredible people we've lost this year justice," Mullan said, according to People.
Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead at their Los Angeles home on December 14. The couple had attended O'Brien's holiday gathering the night before, on December 13.
Rob Reiner was widely respected in Hollywood for his work as a filmmaker, actor and producer. Over the decades, he directed several acclaimed films and received an Oscar nomination as producer of the courtroom drama A Few Good Men. He also directed Misery, the film that earned actor Kathy Bates an Academy Award for Best Actress, according to People.
His work spanned multiple genres, from drama and romance to comedy and thriller, making him one of the most versatile filmmakers in Hollywood.
O'Brien also reflected on his experience hosting the Oscars previously and said he was excited to return for another ceremony. The comedian hosted the awards for the first time in 2025 and said the experience encouraged him to take up the role again.
"I had a lot of fun, to be honest with you," O'Brien said. "It's a really fun gig, and I had a lot of fun, and I just wanted to do it again. And then the movies this year have been insane. It was such a great year for movies that I'm excited to be even a small part of it," according to People.
The 98th Academy Awards will be broadcast live on ABC and Hulu on March 15, beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
- ANI
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