At a Glance
- Host Nikki Glaser closed the January 11, 2026 Golden Globes with a tribute to late actor-director Rob Reiner.
- Glaser wore a black cap reading “Spinal Tap,” nodding to Reiner’s 1984 directorial debut.
- Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner were fatally stabbed at their Los Angeles home in December 2025.
- Why it matters: The moment honored a Hollywood legend while balancing humor and respect during live TV’s biggest awards night.
The 2026 Golden Globes ended on a heartfelt note as host Nikki Glaser paid tribute to Rob Reiner, the beloved actor and director who died weeks earlier in a tragic stabbing at his Los Angeles home.
A Quiet Homage to a Comedy Icon
Stepping onstage at the Beverly Hilton hotel for her final segment, Glaser donned a black baseball cap emblazoned with the word “Spinal Tap.” The cap referenced Reiner’s first feature film, the 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, which he directed and in which he played documentarian Marty DiBergi.
“That’s our show. This one went to 11,” Glaser told the audience, echoing the movie’s famous volume joke. She closed with, “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.”
The understated gesture came one month after Reiner, 77, and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, 75, were found dead from multiple stab wounds. Authorities have charged a former employee with two counts of murder; the case remains pending.
Balancing Humor and Respect
Glaser, hosting for the second consecutive year, told CBS Mornings earlier in January that she approached the monologue differently when legends were in the room.
“I am a huge fan of these people,” she said. “It’s easy for me to take down the newer batch of actresses and actors who are younger than me. It’s like, ‘OK, I can make fun of you. I’m like a veteran.’ But when it’s people that I grew up admiring, it’s a different approach this year.”
She added that her goal was to be “very delicate about making jokes that aren’t going to ruin anyone’s night,” while still giving viewers at home “something to laugh at.”
Key targets for the evening’s jabs, she noted, were “the A-listers” audiences love to see roasted.
A Night of Wins and Nostalgia
Beyond the tribute, the ceremony distributed trophies to:
- Timothée Chalamet – Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
- Rose Byrne – Best Actress in a Limited Series
- Seth Rogen – Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
- Macaulay Culkin – return to the Golden Globe stage after a multi-year absence
Viewers also saw a much-anticipated “Heated Rivalry” moment and an Ocean’s Eleven reunion featuring Julia Roberts and George Clooney.
Behind-the-Scenes Moments
Cameras captured Leonardo DiCaprio and Julia Roberts sharing an off-air conversation, footage that quickly trended on social media. Access Hollywood compiled additional unseen interactions, adding to the viral clips circulating after the telecast.
Glaser’s opening monologue-described by News Of Philadelphia as “fiery”-set the tone for an evening that mixed barbs with genuine affection for Hollywood veterans.
Key Takeaways
- The January 11, 2026 Golden Globes blended comedy and commemoration.
- Rob Reiner’s influence was honored through a simple wardrobe choice and scripted line.
- Major wins spread across film and television categories.
- Host Nikki Glaser balanced respect for industry legends with jokes aimed at younger stars.
