Nikki Glaser Honors Rob Reiner at the 2026 Golden Globes One Month After His Death
Nikki Glaser closed out the 2026 Golden Globe Awards with a quiet but meaningful tribute to late filmmaker Rob Reiner, offering a nod that longtime film fans immediately recognized.
In the final moments of the ceremony on Sunday, January 11, Glaser, 44, returned to the stage wearing a black baseball cap emblazoned with the words “Spinal Tap” — a direct reference to Reiner’s cult-classic 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap.
“This One Went to 11”
As the broadcast wrapped, Glaser delivered her closing line with a smile.
“Well, that’s our show. This one went to 11,” she said — quoting one of Spinal Tap’s most iconic moments, originally delivered by Reiner alongside Christopher Guest.
She continued with her signature humor, thanking the audience for the night and offering a playful sign-off before wishing viewers goodnight.
The understated reference served as a heartfelt acknowledgment of Reiner’s legacy, resonating deeply with fans of the film and those aware of the filmmaker’s recent passing.
Tribute Comes Weeks After Reiner’s Death
Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home on December 14. He was 78; she was 70. Their son, Nick Reiner, has since been charged in connection with their deaths.
The Golden Globes tribute followed another recent acknowledgment of Reiner’s legacy earlier this month, when Chelsea Handler honored him during the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, calling him “the nicest guy in Hollywood.”
Glaser’s Thoughtful Approach to Remembrance
Ahead of the Globes, Glaser explained her approach to honoring Reiner in an interview with USA Today, noting that the ceremony does not include a traditional In Memoriam segment.
She acknowledged that Handler had been closer to Reiner personally, describing herself as someone who knew him, but not intimately.
“It’s delicate,” Glaser said. “There’s not a whole section set aside to honor everyone we’ve lost. But I had something planned — something small — to acknowledge him and celebrate him in my own way.”
Glaser added that she tried to imagine how Reiner himself might have handled a similar situation.
“If something happened to me and Rob Reiner was hosting, how would I want him to do it?” she said. “I think I landed on something he would’ve done for me too.”
A Quiet Moment With Lasting Impact
Rather than a lengthy speech or overt dedication, Glaser’s choice to honor Reiner through humor and cultural memory reflected the spirit of his work — clever, self-aware, and deeply human.
For many viewers, the Spinal Tap hat and a single line were enough to say everything: a farewell rooted not in sadness, but in appreciation for a filmmaker whose work continues to resonate.
