James Woods Mourns Rob Reiner, Slams 'Distasteful' Comments About His Death
James Woods is speaking out following the tragic deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner.
The Once Upon a Time in America actor was a close friend of the beloved filmmaker despite their drastically different political views. He credits Rob with helping save his career. James revealed that the director fought for him to be cast in his 1996 film Ghosts of Mississippi, even after the studio initially pushed back.
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While appearing on Jesse Watters’ Fox News show, James became emotional as he condemned what he described as “distasteful” reactions to Rob‘s death circulating online.
Although the Emmy-winning actor is a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, the President has faced widespread backlash for his remarks about the director’s passing.
“I judge people by how they treat me, and Rob Reiner was a Godsend in my life. We got along great, we loved each other… He was always on my side,” James said during the Fox News segment.
???? MUST WATCH: Legendary Actor JAMES WOODS gets EMOTIONAL when talking about ROB REINER’S MURDER ????
“Rob literally SAVED my CAREER and really put me back on track in a way that was so important and rewarding in my life” ????
“People would go, ‘How is it that you and Rob Reiner… pic.twitter.com/XTCc0LYkfR
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) December 16, 2025
“Because you disagree with people, doesn’t mean you have to hate people,” he later added.
He also pointed to how Rob previously responded after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
While he did not agree with the Turning Point founder politically, he said at the time (via Variety), “I don’t care what your political beliefs are. That’s not acceptable. That’s not a solution to solving problems.”
Referencing those remarks, James continued, “I knew Charlie Kirk, I supported him… people said some such horrible things, and Rob did not. When people say horrible things about Rob right now, I find it, quite frankly, infuriating and distasteful. 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, and I am just absolutely devastated.”
On Monday morning, Trump took to Truth Social to claim that Rob and his wife died “reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS,” among other remarks that drew swift criticism.