Corey Feldman has shared his thoughts on not being included in the heartfelt tribute to Rob Reiner at the 98th Academy Awards earlier this year. The 54-year-old actor, known for his role in Reiner’s 1986 classic Stand By Me alongside Jerry O’Connell, Wil Wheaton, and the late River Phoenix, watched as his co-stars joined the onstage homage.
Feldman’s Reaction to the Snub
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly during celebrations for the film’s 40th anniversary, Feldman reflected, ‘I think Jerry and Wil did what had to be done.’ He described the moment as fleeting and added, ‘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.’
Feldman accepted the situation with a resigned ‘it is what it is,’ likening it to ‘a family reunion I wasn’t invited to.’ He emphasized focusing on Reiner’s memory rather than personal grievances, stating, ‘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.’
Details of Reiner’s Tribute and Death
Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were killed in their Los Angeles home on December 14, 2025. The Academy organized the tribute featuring Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal, O’Connell, and Wheaton. Insiders note Feldman felt deeply hurt by the omission, especially since his co-stars participated, viewing it as a major oversight despite his admiration for Reiner.
O’Connell and Wheaton reportedly sought clarification from organizers about Feldman’s absence but received no response. Feldman had anticipated an invitation and desired to honor Reiner, even from the audience.
Feldman’s Public Statement on X
Prior to the ceremony, Feldman addressed the matter on his X account: ‘HI FOLLOWERS & SUPPORTERS, I JUST WANT 2 BRIEFLY MENTION THIS WHOLE OSCARS THING! YES ITS TRUE THAT I WAS NOT INVITED, I UNDERSTAND MANY BELIEVE ITS DUE 2 BEING OUTSPOKEN ABOUT THE ABUSE I SUFFERED AS A CHILD & THE CAMPAIGN 2 SILENCE ME.’
He shifted focus, adding, ‘HOWEVER THIS ISNT ABOUT ME! ITS NOT MY MOMENT @ ALL! ITS ABOUT THE TRAGIC LOSS OF R FRIEND ROB REINER & HIS MEMORY. SO AS MUCH I APPRECIATE ALL SUPPORT, ITS VERY SWEET OF U…..’
Recent Controversies Involving Feldman
In December 2025, Feldman detailed alleged experiences in an Apple TV documentary, Corey Feldman vs. The World. He claimed his late friend Corey Haim, who died in 2010 at age 38, made sexual advances during the filming of 1987’s The Lost Boys when both were 16.
Feldman recounted Haim saying, ‘This is what, you know, what guys in the business do, right? You know, you suck each other’s d**ks, or you f**k around – you do this stuff.’ He described obliging to halt the advances, stating, ‘I was being molested by Corey Haim. Truth be told.’
His team later clarified that references to ‘molestation’ meant advances, not physical acts, and that Feldman did not reciprocate. They described the film’s portrayal as a ‘sensationalized mischaracterization’ and alleged unauthorized footage.
The production team countered, affirming all footage was obtained lawfully with Feldman’s written consent and that he had invited filming multiple times.
