Billy Crystal certainly wasn’t faking it.

The star of 1989’s “When Harry Met Sally” was at the 2026 Oscars on Sunday night to honor the beloved rom-com’s filmmaker, Rob Reiner, who died in December at the age of 78.

“My friend Rob’s movies will last for lifetimes, because they were about what makes us laugh and cry and what we aspire to be — far better in his eyes, far kinder, far funnier and far more human,” Crystal said.

He later added: “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.”

Reiner was the son of comedy giant Carl Reiner and eventually went on to make quite a name for himself. He became one of the preeminent filmmakers of his generation with “The Princess Bride,” “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Stand By Me” and “A Few Good Men,” among many others.

Actors in Reiner’s various projects, including Crystal’s “When Harry Met Sally” co-star Meg Ryan, “A Few Good Men” star Demi Moore and “Misery” star Kathy Bates, joined Crystal on stage for his tribute during the “In Memoriam” segment.

The theme song from “The Princess Bride” accompanied the start of the segment.

Reiner and his wife, producer Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Dec. 14. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later reported that the couple died from “multiple sharp force injuries.”

Their son Nick Reiner has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty in February. His next hearing is scheduled for April 29.

Crystal also made it a point to speak about Singer Reiner. “And when Michele Singer entered his life, they were unstoppable — a gifted photographer, she not only produced films with Rob,” Crystal said, “but it was her energy that had them working tirelessly to fight social injustice in the country that they both love.”

The happy ending of “When Harry Met Sally” was inspired by Reiner’s burgeoning romance with Singer Reiner, whom he met during production. Reiner has said in past interviews that Harry and Sally weren’t originally supposed to end up together in the earlier drafts of the script, which was written by the late Nora Ephron. But thanks to his romance with Singer during the shooting of the film, the ending was changed and features one of film’s greatest declarations of love.

Crystal went on to mention their pivotal role in helping to legalize gay marriage.

Reiner and Singer Reiner served on the board of the American Foundation for Equal Rights in 2008 to help fight against California’s Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in the state.

“Rob and Michele Reiner became the driving force in the landmark decision for marriage equality across the United States,” Crystal said.

Crystal was incredibly close with Reiner, and their friendship predates their collaboration on “When Harry Met Sally,” with Crystal detailing their “bromance” that spanned five decades in an essay for The Hollywood Reporter in 2016.

The pair first met in 1975 when Crystal was cast as Reiner’s onscreen pal in Norman Lear’s sitcom “All in the Family.” Crystal was impressed by Reiner, and the two quickly hit it off, “and we said, ‘It feels right onstage, why don’t we just continue this in our lives?’ We became the closest of friends.”

They were so tight that Crystal and fellow friend and comedian Larry David were seen at the Reiner family’s house soon after Reiner and his wife’s bodies were found. Crystal “looked like he was about to cry,” a neighbor told ABC 7 Los Angeles.

“Their loss is immeasurable,” Crystal said at the Oscars.

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