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Oscars 2026: Rob Reiner, Diane Keaton and Robert Redford received heartfelt tributes at the 98th Academy Awards. The ceremony took place on March 15 at the Dolby
Theatre in Los Angeles, United States. Rob and his wife, Michele Singer, were found dead in their apartment on December 14, 2025. During the In Memoriam section at the Oscars 2026, When Harry Met Sally actor Billy Crystal paid an emotional tribute to Rob. On the other hand, Rachel McAdams and Barbra Streisand remembered Diane Keaton and Robert Redford, respectively.
Billy Crystal pays tribute to Rob Reiner
At the 98th Academy Awards, Billy said that it was great to see Rob evolve from being a comic actor to a master storyteller. The actor, who plays Reiner's best friend in All in the Family, added that his friend's movies will last for lifetimes. The reason being his films were about what makes everyone laugh and cry and what people aspire to be.
"Far better in his eyes, far kinder, far funnier, and far more human… to the millions who have enjoyed his films all these years, I want you to know here and around the world, how many times Rob told me that it meant everything to him that his work meant something to you," he said. Billy added that those who had the privilege of knowing and working with him, all they can say is that "Buddy, what fun we had storming the castle."
Diane Keaton remembered at Oscars 2026
Actress Diane Keaton, who passed away on October 11 last year, was also honoured at the 98th Academy Awards. Rachel McAdams remembered Diane as someone who wore many hats, that of an actress, artist and activist. However, no hat was more important to Diane than being a mother to her two children. McAdams further admitted that the late actress meant so much to many people.
The actress recalled that Diane used to a song on the set. Rachel said, "I remember she used to sing this old Girl Scout song she used to sing on set, which is just so her: ‘Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other is gold. A circle is round, it has no end. That’s how long I’ll be your friend.’ And so to our friend, Diane Keaton, celebrating a life in silver and gold, a legend with no end."
Heartfelt tribute to Robert Redford
On the other hand, Barbra Streisand dedicated a heartfelt tribute to The Way We Were co-star Robert Redford. In Memoriam segment, the actress performed a song and delivered an emotional speech honouring Redford. "Bob had a real backbone on and off the screen. I miss him now even more," she said.
The actress further called him an intellectual cowboy who blazed his own trail. Robert passed away on September 16, 2025. He was 89.
