Tribute at the Academy Awards
Stand By Me co-stars Wil Wheaton and Jerry O’Connell joined Billy Crystal and over a dozen other actors on stage at the Academy Awards to honor the film’s director, Rob Reiner.
Corey Feldman, who starred in Stand By Me, expressed regret over being left out of the Oscars tribute to Reiner earlier this month.
During the in memoriam segment at the start of the Academy Awards, Billy Crystal delivered an extended tribute to Reiner, the writer and director, and his wife, photographer Michele, who both passed away in December.
Crystal was accompanied by numerous stars from Reiner’s films, including The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, This Is Spınal Tap, and Misery. The group featured Demi Moore, Kevin Pollak, Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Michael McKean, Annette Bening, Kathy Bates, Mandy Patinkin, Cary Elwes, Daphne Zuniga, Christopher Guest, Carol Kane, and Kiefer Sutherland.
Feldman’s Reflections on the Tribute
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly about the upcoming 40th anniversary rerelease of Stand By Me, Feldman commented on the tribute. He starred alongside River Phoenix, Jerry O’Connell, and Wil Wheaton in the film. Notably, O’Connell and Wheaton were present on stage at the Oscars.
“I think Jerry and Wil did what had to be done,” Feldman said. “It was a fleeting moment, so I don’t feel like I missed much at all. Although they did a wonderful job, I would’ve liked to have heard from Wil and Jerry and a few other people up there.”
He added, “Personally, it felt a little bit like a family reunion I wasn’t invited to. It is what it is … 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.”
Plans for Anniversary Events and Farewell
Feldman revealed that there had been plans for events with Reiner to commemorate the anniversary, but these have since been scaled back.
“We all would’ve loved to be able to say goodbye in our own ways. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen,” he said. “The best way we can say goodbye is honouring him and his work … and hopefully going out there to celebrate him one last time on a big screen where it deserves to be seen.”
Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found deceased at their home on December 14. Their son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Background on Corey Feldman
As an adult, Feldman has publicly identified as a survivor of child sexual abuse. His 2020 documentary film, My Truth: The Rape of 2 Coreys, explores his relationship with his late co-star Corey Haim and alleges that both were abused multiple times during childhood.
In 2020, several women accused Feldman of sexual assault, allegations which he denies. These accusations arose following his appointment to the SAG-AFTRA sexual harassment committee, from which he was later removed.
