Corey Feldman Speaks Out About Oscars Tribute Snub

The Stand By Me actor was not included in the segment honoring the late director Rob Reiner.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:04pm

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During the 2026 Oscars ceremony, the show paused to pay tribute to those in the industry who had passed away the previous year, including a special segment honoring director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele. While many of Reiner's frequent collaborators, including actors from his films like Stand By Me, were invited to participate, Corey Feldman, who starred in Stand By Me, was notably absent. Feldman has now spoken out about his exclusion from the tribute, saying he felt like he was 'left out of a family reunion' but understands the tribute was a 'fleeting moment' and is ultimately happy it happened.

Why it matters

The Oscars' in memoriam segment is an important way for the industry to collectively honor those they've lost, and the special tribute to Rob Reiner highlighted his legacy and impact through the actors he worked with over the years. Feldman's exclusion, whether intentional or not, has sparked discussion around who gets included in these types of tributes and the potential hurt feelings that can arise from perceived snubs.

The details

During the Oscars' tribute to Rob Reiner, Billy Crystal gave a speech about the director's work and legacy, followed by 17 actors who had collaborated with Reiner on films like When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, and Stand By Me. Corey Feldman, who starred as Teddy Duchamp in Stand By Me, was not part of this group. Feldman has now spoken out, saying he felt 'a little bit like a family reunion I wasn't invited to,' though he's ultimately glad the tribute happened and doesn't want to dwell on his exclusion.

  • The 2026 Oscars ceremony took place on March 28, 2026.
  • Rob Reiner and his wife Michele tragically passed away in December 2025.

The players

Corey Feldman

An actor who starred in the 1986 film Stand By Me, which was directed by Rob Reiner.

Rob Reiner

A renowned film director known for movies like When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, and Stand By Me, who passed away in December 2025.

Billy Crystal

An actor who worked with Rob Reiner on films like When Harry Met Sally and This Is Spinal Tap, and gave a speech honoring Reiner during the Oscars tribute.

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What they’re saying

“I think Jerry and Wil did what had to be done. It was a fleeting moment, so I don't feel like I missed much at all. I personally was probably maybe a little bothered by the fact that nobody got to speak or do or say anything from their own heart. Although they did a wonderful job, I would've liked to have heard from Wil and Jerry and a few other people up there.”

— Corey Feldman, Actor

“Personally, it felt a little bit like a family reunion I wasn't invited to, but we're not going to use this time to go into my feeling about that. Instead I just want to say that I'm with the rest of us, we're all very destroyed that things went down the way they did, losing Rob when we all thought he'd be joining us at some point for this tour and it's a tragedy.”

— Corey Feldman, Actor

The takeaway

Corey Feldman's exclusion from the Oscars' tribute to Rob Reiner highlights the complex emotions that can arise when high-profile memorials leave out certain individuals, even if unintentionally. While Feldman acknowledges the tribute was meaningful, his comments reflect a sense of hurt at being left out of an event honoring a director he had worked closely with. This speaks to the importance of being thoughtful and inclusive when recognizing those who have passed, to ensure no one feels slighted or forgotten.