Nikki Glaser Pays Tribute to Rob Reiner at 2026 Golden Globes 1 Month After His Death
Host Nikki Glaser honored Rob Reiner at the Golden Globes by wearing a hat that referenced his 1984 film This Is Spinal Tap
Glaser said prior to the ceremony that she wanted to “just acknowledge [Reiner] and celebrate him in my own way”
Rob, 78, and his wife Michele, 70, were killed in their Los Angeles home on December 14th
Nikki Glaser ensured the 2026 Golden Globes paid tribute to Rob Reiner with a subtle nod.
A Thoughtful Tribute
Host Glaser, 44, appeared onstage in the final moments of the 83rd annual Golden Globes ceremony on Sunday, January 11th wearing a black baseball cap with “Spinal Tap” on it, in reference to the late filmmaker’s 1984 film This Is Spinal Tap.
“Well, that’s our show. This one went to 11,” she said, referencing one of the movie’s most famous moments between Reiner and costar Christopher Guest. “Thank you guys for an amazing night, and I hope we found the line between clever and stupid. A good Chalamet to you all, good night!”
Glaser’s nod to one of Reiner’s most beloved movies comes nearly one month after the director, 78, and his wife Michele, 70, were found dead in their Los Angeles home on December 14th. Their son Nick, 32, was charged in connection with their deaths.
Following Chelsea Handler’s Lead
Rob and Michele previously received a tribute from comedian Chelsea Handler when she hosted the 2026 Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, January 4th. During that ceremony, Handler described Rob as “the nicest guy in Hollywood.”
When Glaser spoke with USA Today prior to the Globes, she acknowledged that Handler knew Rob better than she did and was “a close friend of his.”
“I knew him, but not really well, and it’s delicate, because we don’t really have an In Memoriam, so there’s not a whole section set aside to honor everyone we’ve lost. But I have something planned that I’m going to do in my own way to just acknowledge him and celebrate him in my own way,” she said.
The Right Way to Honor Him
“Not to linger on it too much because that’s what we’ve been doing for the past few weeks, but I just thought, if something happened to me and Rob Reiner was hosting a show, given our relationship, how would I want him to handle it? And I think I landed on something that I feel he would do for me too,” she said.
A Perfect Reference
The tribute was particularly fitting given This Is Spinal Tap’s enduring cultural impact. The mockumentary about a fictional British rock band is considered one of the greatest comedies ever made, and phrases from it particularly the “goes to 11” reference have become part of popular culture.
By saying “This one went to 11” at the end of her hosting duties, Glaser simultaneously paid homage to Reiner while also celebrating what was widely considered a successful hosting performance. The reference worked on multiple levels: acknowledging Reiner’s comedic genius, celebrating the evening’s success, and doing so in a way that was appropriately lighthearted rather than somber.
Navigating a Difficult Situation
Glaser’s approach to honoring Reiner demonstrates the challenge awards show hosts face when addressing recent tragedies. The Golden Globes doesn’t traditionally include an In Memoriam segment like the Oscars or Emmys, leaving hosts to find organic ways to acknowledge losses within the entertainment community.
Her decision to incorporate the tribute into her closing remarks, rather than making it a separate moment, allowed her to honor Reiner without shifting the tone of the celebration too dramatically. The Spinal Tap reference was recognizable to those familiar with Reiner’s work while not requiring explanation for those who might not have caught it.
The Tragedy Behind the Tribute
The circumstances surrounding Reiner’s death add a layer of tragedy to any tribute. He and his wife Michele were found dead in their Brentwood home on December 14th, 2025. Their son Nick was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with their deaths.
The shocking nature of the tragedy a beloved Hollywood figure killed in his own home, allegedly by his own son has left the entertainment community reeling. Glaser’s thoughtful tribute acknowledged this loss while focusing on Reiner’s creative legacy rather than the painful circumstances of his death.
Reiner’s Legacy
Rob Reiner’s impact on American cinema extends far beyond This Is Spinal Tap. As a director, he helmed classics including The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Stand by Me, A Few Good Men, and Misery. Before his directing career, he was known for playing Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the groundbreaking sitcom All in the Family.
His versatility as a filmmaker moving seamlessly between comedy, drama, and romance established him as one of Hollywood’s most reliable directors. Many of his films have become cultural touchstones, with quotes and scenes that remain part of the cultural conversation decades later.
Hollywood Mourns
Glaser’s tribute follows other acknowledgments from the entertainment community. At the Critics Choice Awards, Chelsea Handler delivered an emotional tribute, calling Reiner “the nicest guy in Hollywood” and emphasizing his and Michele’s tireless advocacy work rooted in basic human decency.
A group of Reiner’s closest friends, including Billy Crystal, Larry David, Martin Short, and Albert Brooks, released a joint statement praising him as “a great comic actor” and “master storyteller” whose range as a director was unmatched.
A Tasteful Balance
Glaser’s approach—wearing the Spinal Tap hat and making the “goes to 11” reference struck the right balance between acknowledgment and celebration. It honored Reiner’s memory without dwelling on the tragedy, focusing instead on his creative contributions and the joy his work brought to millions.
Her comment about finding “the line between clever and stupid”—another Spinal Tap reference further demonstrated her understanding of Reiner’s comedic sensibility and her desire to honor him in a way he would have appreciated.
Closing Thoughts
As the Golden Globes concluded with Glaser’s Spinal Tap tribute, it served as a reminder that even in celebration, the entertainment community mourns its losses. Rob Reiner’s absence is felt deeply, but his work ensures his presence will continue to be felt for generations to come.
Glaser’s thoughtful, subtle tribute allowed the evening to end on a note that was simultaneously celebratory and reflective honoring both the night’s achievements and the memory of a filmmaker who contributed so much to the art form being celebrated.
In asking herself how Reiner would have handled a similar situation, Glaser found an answer that felt true to both his legacy and the spirit of the evening: with intelligence, humor, and just the right touch of sentimentality. The tribute went to 11.