Key Takeaways
- Nikki Glaser paid tribute to late filmmaker Rob Reiner during the 2026 Golden Globes.
- The host wore a Spinal Tap hat referencing Reiner’s iconic 1984 film This Is Spinal Tap.
- Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead in their Los Angeles home in December.
- Glaser said she wanted to honor Reiner in a personal, understated way.
Nikki Glaser made sure the 2026 Golden Globes included a heartfelt tribute to Rob Reiner, honoring the late filmmaker with a subtle yet meaningful nod during the ceremony’s closing moments.
As host of the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, Jan. 11, Glaser appeared onstage wearing a black baseball cap emblazoned with the words “Spinal Tap,” referencing Reiner’s beloved 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap.
“Well, that’s our show. This one went to 11,” Glaser said, quoting one of the film’s most iconic lines. She continued by thanking the audience for the evening and closed with a playful sign-off: “A good Chalamet to you all, good night!”
A Tribute One Month After His Death
Glaser’s tribute came nearly one month after Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele, 70, were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Dec. 14. Their son, Nick Reiner, 32, has since been charged in connection with their deaths.
Rather than dedicating a formal segment to Reiner — as the Golden Globes does not include a full In Memoriam section — Glaser chose a quiet reference that longtime fans would recognize.
“Celebrate Him in My Own Way”
Ahead of the ceremony, Glaser explained her approach in an interview with USA Today. She acknowledged that while she didn’t know Reiner as closely as some of his longtime friends, she still wanted to honor him thoughtfully.
“I knew him, but not really well,” she said. “It’s delicate, because we don’t really have an In Memoriam. But I have something planned that I’m going to do in my own way to just acknowledge him and celebrate him.”
The tribute followed a similar moment earlier in the awards season, when Chelsea Handler honored Reiner at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, calling him “the nicest guy in Hollywood.”
A Personal Reflection
Glaser later shared that she considered how Reiner might have handled a similar situation if their roles were reversed.
“If something happened to me and Rob Reiner was hosting a show, given our relationship, how would I want him to handle it?” she said. “I think I landed on something that I feel he would do for me too.”
The moment struck a balance between humor and remembrance — fitting for a filmmaker whose work blended satire, heart, and cultural impact.
