Posted on 12/17/2025 2:37:36 PM PST by nickcarraway
"Do I agree on many of his ideas on how that patriotism should be enacted, to celebrate the America that we both love? No. But he doesn’t agree with me either, but he also respects my patriotism," the actor said of the late director.
James Woods is calling out “infuriating and distasteful” comments that have been made about Rob Reiner amid his death.
During a Monday appearance on Fox News’ Jesse Watters Primetime, the actor shared his admiration for the late director, noting that he “literally saved my career” and said he “was a Godsend in my life.”
“Rob literally saved my career and really put me back on track in a way that was so important and rewarding in my life,” Woods said. “And he really fought for me when a studio didn’t want me in a movie. … I went from really being basically out of a job to getting an Academy Award nomination, and I give all the credit to Rob.”
Woods starred in Reiner’s Ghosts of Mississippi, which was nominated for two Oscars, including best supporting actor for Woods. The Casino star acknowledged that they had opposing political beliefs (Woods is a Trump supporter whereas Reiner was a liberal activist), though he said they never let their differences come in between their friendship.
“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. When people would say to me, ‘Well, what do you think of his politics?’ I would say, ‘I think Rob Reiner is a great patriot,'” Woods added. “Do I agree on many of his ideas on how that patriotism should be enacted, to celebrate the America that we both love? No. But he doesn’t agree with me either, but he also respects my patriotism. We had a different path to the same destination, which was a country we both love.”
The actor spoke out against “infuriating and distasteful” things said about the When Harry Met Sally director, noting, “Because you disagree with people, doesn’t mean that you have to hate people.” He also acknowledged Reiner’s response to Charlie Kirk’s death. (Reiner told Piers Morgan in September “it’s beyond belief what happened to [Kirk]” and “I don’t care what your political beliefs are. That’s not acceptable. That’s not a solution to solving problems.”)
“I knew Charlie Kirk, I supported him,” Woods said. “People said such horrible things, and Rob did not. And 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 I friend, as an artist, as an icon of Hollywood and as a patriot? I most certainly did, and I am just absolutely devastated by this terrible event, especially for his family.”
On Monday, Trump wrote that a “very sad thing happened” to Reiner and his wife, Michele, continuing to write that it was “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.”
“He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “May Rob and MIchele rest in peace!”
During a press conference in the Oval Office, Trump said that he “wasn’t a fan of [Reiner’s] at all.”
“He was a deranged person, as far as Trump is concerned,” Trump said. “He said — he knew it was false, in fact it’s the exact opposite — that I was a friend of Russia, controlled by Russia: the Russia hoax, he was one of the people behind it. I think he hurt himself career-wise; he became like a deranged person, Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Reiner’s son, Nick Reiner, was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder, and is being held without bail. On Tuesday, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell confirmed during a press conference that the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office “has formally filed charges against Mr. Reiner for the murder of his parents.”
“This case is heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones, but for our entire city,” LA Police Chief McDonnell said. “We extend our deepest condolences to all of those who are affected by this tragedy.”
I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Their golden years are being spent with a ticking time bomb out of duty, and hoping like many schizophrenics, he is less volatile with age.
I think Rob Reiner’s son actually agrees with Trump
That's not true - It's a direct quote from Woods himself. Where did you get the idea that it wasn't?
Because of your post. I watched the entire video on the Fox website. And sure enough, at the 5:45 mark, Woods uses those exact words. So why did you say he didn't?
Yes. This.
It is pretty clear that Reiner was obsessively unstable regarding Trump. I saw no issue with what Trump said, and when he said it.
The man colluded with people whose goal it was to put Trump in jail, real jail for an infamous 641 years in jail. And Reiner would have been completely fine to see an innocent man (in the person of Trump) go to jail for the entire sentence.
They all would have.
Your post reinforces that. Trump factually called Reiner “deranged” which is appropriate. Reiner himself had to check into a facility after Trump’s election.
None of this means that Reiner and his wife “got what they deserved”. None of this means that anyone who hasn’t said so “wished” for it to happen to them.
But if I observe that Reiner and his ilk were enemies of the Constitution of the United States, that is an appropriate and factual observation regardless of the time frame around his death.
I listened to a video podcast by a hospitalized Scott Adams today; he was thoughtful and gracious, he did not think that what happened to the Reiners was anything other than a murder and a tragedy, and said he didn’t think the Reiner’s “parenting” had anything to do with what their son did to them. But he did not in any way excuse Reiner’s obsession with Reiner’s own perceived provably false derangement that Trump presented a danger to this country. He called Trump illegitimate, a traitor, treasonous, and criminal. I was impressed with Adams, pretty level attitude towards Reiner, given that Adams feels that Reiner had a hand in getting him “cancelled” and destroying his livelihood (regarding his public associations and collaborations with Comey and Brennan hyping the RussiaGate lies)
I don’t blame James Wood. I will take him at his word that Reiner was his “friend” and had an influence on his career, so I assume he is upset at the loss of a friend, although I do not in any way understand the rationality of calling Reiner a patriot. I see that as pure emotion from Woods, and I won’t hold that against him.
Woods talks a good game and is conservative, as far as an actor can be but then he goes on TV and nearly balls about things like this.
One of my Mother’s neighbors in St. Louis had a mentally ill adult son who eventually murdered his father.
They were people of modest means.
The Reiners were millionaires many times over.
They certainly had the means to pay an attendant or security person to put a 24 hour watch on their son.
You got that right. Alan Jackson = slimy.
James and Rob were friends and I understand. And I do agree that one should not speak ill of the dead….. however Reiner was also a very powerful boy c political figure who put himself out there and sometimes quite …. Extremely……. Some negative feedback is not unexpected.
Well stated.
I’d love to know exactly what is was about Reiner that describes ‘patriot’.
James Woods is no dummy - MIT man - and he is one of the few vocal conservatives In Hollywood (he has achieved enough stature and success that he can afford to speak out). Reiner was his professional colleague and friend … they put politics aside. I have to do the same thing with my daughters….
James is wrong on this. No one deserves to die like that.
Beyond that, Reiner was a hate-filled lying, leftist POS. He made some good movies, but big deal. Reiner will forever be known for his vitriol.
Sorry, I dont have a fakebook account so cant see it. Thanks for trying though. Perhaps you can copy and paste or not. Thanks again.
[[Woods said. “People said such horrible things, and Rob did not. And when people say horrible things about Rob right now, I find it, quite frankly, infuriating and distasteful.]]
Mr Woods- were you infuriated when Rob said to the world that he absolutely hated Donald Trump?
Sigh.
In this context, for this, I think for Wood, it is all emotion.
I cannot for the life of me understand how he could see someone like Reiner as a “Patriot”.
So I have to assume it is related to grief, although I have just as much of a problem visualizing how he could be a friend to Reiner, but if he could be his friend, I have to respect him for that as well.
I have trouble with it, and I wish I didn’t.
So Hollywood suddenly cares what James Woods thinks. Let’s see how long this lasts.
My comment was purpose driven. I figured that if I posted that comment, somebody would waste their time to watch the entire video just to prove me wrong. Congratulations, you proved me right.......LOL!
Awwwww. How sweet. Why do you suppose ,the studio didn't want you? And how many other Trumpeteers did he go to bat for?
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