Corey Feldman, the renowned actor from the classic film Stand By Me, has publicly voiced his disappointment after being omitted from a special tribute to director Rob Reiner at the recent Academy Awards. The emotional moment, which occurred during the Oscars' in memoriam segment, saw Billy Crystal leading a heartfelt homage to Reiner and his wife, photographer Michele, who tragically passed away in December.
A Star-Studded Tribute Without Feldman
On stage, Crystal was joined by over a dozen celebrities from Reiner's iconic movies, including The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, This Is Spınal Tap, and Misery. Notable figures such as 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 participated in the tribute. However, Feldman, who played a key role in Stand By Me alongside River Phoenix, Jerry O'Connell, and Wil Wheaton, was notably absent, despite his co-stars O'Connell and Wheaton being present.
Feldman's Candid Reflections
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Feldman discussed the upcoming 40th anniversary rerelease of Stand By Me and addressed the Oscars snub. He expressed mixed emotions, stating, "I think Jerry and Wil did what had to be done. 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 further elaborated on his personal feelings, adding, "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." Feldman revealed that plans had been in motion for anniversary events with Reiner, which have now been scaled back due to the tragic circumstances.
Honoring Reiner's Legacy
Feldman emphasized the importance of honoring Reiner's work, saying, "We all would've loved to be able to say goodbye in our own ways. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. The best way we can say goodbye is honoring 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." The Reiners were found deceased at their home on December 14, with their son, Nick Reiner, facing charges of first-degree murder.
Background on Feldman's Advocacy
As an adult, Feldman has been vocal about being a survivor of child sexual abuse. His 2020 film, My Truth: The Rape of 2 Coreys, delves into his relationship with late co-star Corey Haim and alleges multiple instances of abuse during their childhood. In 2020, Feldman faced sexual assault allegations from several women, which he denies, leading to his removal from the Sag-Aftra sexual harassment committee after his appointment.
