Billy Crystal Reveals Rob Reiner's Heartbreaking Last Words From Pals' Final Chat Before His Horrific Murder

Billy Crystal opened up about his late pal Rob Reiner's final words in the hours before his horrific murder.

“We had spent the night before together and [were] talking about our careers together,” Crystal, 78, said during an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Tuesday, April 14.

Crystal and Reiner's friendship dates back decades, first meeting in 1975 on the set of All in the Family, where the duo portrayed best friends. The showed aired on CBS from 1971 to 1979.

"We were talking about the movie business and how it’s changed and how people don’t go to theaters like they used to," Crystal explained of their last chat. “We talked about the fact that you can’t control how a movie is going to do. What you can control is the experience of making it.”

The Monster's University actor remembered his former costar as "hilarious, devoted and opinionated" person," adding that he would carry the "extraordinary" moments they shared with him always.

“He said, ‘That’s something you always have.’ Hits are great to have, but it’s the people that you hold on to. I kept that in my heart," Crystal recounted.

Billy and Rob's last conversation came one day before the When Harry Met Sally director and his wife, Michelle Reiner, were murdered inside their Brentwood, Calif., home on December 14, 2025. Their son Nick Reiner was arrested hours later in connection to the brutal slayings, but has pleaded not guilty as he awaits trial.

“There are so many moments that I just — when something good happens or ‘Isn’t that crazy?’ — I want to pick up the phone and call, because that’s what we would do," the Forget Paris actor said as he reflected on his late friend. "It’s a profound loss for — I’m just going to say humanity, because he was the most human person that I ever met."

Billy played a special role in honoring the late director and his wife at the 2026 Oscars, revealing that he personally called the show's host Conan O'Brien with a tribute idea.

“His first seven movies were incredibly different and so great,” Billy told host Stephen Colbert. “I can get the cast of those movies together to walk out with me, that would have made him really smile.”

He continued, "So I got in touch with all of them. The Academy was great in getting most of them there. … We were able to hold hands and walk out there in tribute with a beautiful picture of Rob and Michelle because they were our closest friends.”