Hollywood actor James Woods was overcome with emotion during a live television interview as he paid tribute to his late friend, the acclaimed director Rob Reiner, who was brutally murdered alongside his wife.
A Friendship That Transcended Politics
The Ray Donovan star appeared on Fox News to speak about his deep bond with Reiner, despite their starkly opposing political views. Reiner was a well-known liberal activist and critic of former President Donald Trump, while Woods is a vocal supporter.
Woods, who collaborated with Reiner on the 1996 film Ghosts of Mississippi, struggled to contain his tears as he recounted how the director had been a pivotal figure in his professional life. "At a very down point in my career, Rob literally saved my career and really put me back on track," Woods stated, his voice breaking.
Reiner's Fatal Support and a Family Tragedy
Woods revealed that Reiner had fought for him to be cast in Ghosts of Mississippi when the studio was resistant. "I was 32 years too young for the part, but he really believed that I was right and could do it," he explained. That faith paid off, with Woods earning an Academy Award nomination for his performance.
The actor's grief was compounded by the horrific nature of Reiner's death. Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele, 68, were found dead with fatal knife wounds in their Brentwood, Los Angeles home on Sunday afternoon. Their 32-year-old son, Nick, is currently in police custody in connection with the killings. He was originally held on a $4 million bail, which was later revoked after he was formally booked for murder.
An Emotional Outpouring and Political Backlash
Describing the moment he learned the news, Woods said, "I fell to the floor. I felt my heart drop." He passionately defended his friend's character against online critics, stating, "We had a different path to the same destination, which was a country we both love... He was a real thinker."
The tragedy has been overshadowed by a controversial response from former President Donald Trump. On his social media platform, Trump made light of the murder, calling Reiner a "tortured and struggling" actor with "Trump derangement syndrome" and joking that he died from "the anger he caused others." The post has been widely condemned as inappropriate and disrespectful by figures across the political spectrum, including Republican politician Thomas Massie.
Woods concluded his emotional interview by stating unequivocally, "Did I agree with his politics? I did not. Did I love him as a friend, as an artist, as an icon of Hollywood and as a patriot? I most certainly did."
