The late “Spinal Tap” director was impersonated on a later episode of the sketch show by Chris Farley.

How SNL paid tribute to Rob Reiner, one of the show’s first hosts

The late "Spinal Tap" director was impersonated on a later episode of the sketch show by Chris Farley.

By Jillian Sederholm

Jillian Sederholm

Jillian Sederholm is news director at *. *She has worked at EW for more than eight years. Jillian has previously worked as a reporter, social media editor, and homepage producer at NBC News, Digital First Media, Newsday, and *Random Lengths News.*

EW's editorial guidelines

December 21, 2025 1:09 a.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Rob Reiner hosting 'SNL' in 1975 and at the Beverly Hills Film Festival in 2024. Credit:

NBC; Paul Archuleta/Getty

- *Saturday Night Live *paid tribute to Rob Reiner after the director's murder.

- Reiner hosted the sketch show's third episode on Oct. 25, 1975.

- The *All in the Family* actor was joined by his wife at the time, Penny Marshall.

*Saturday Night Live* is saying goodbye to one of the legendary sketch show's earliest hosts.

During its final episode of the year on Saturday, the show took time to pay tribute to director Rob Reiner less than a week after his brutal murder at age 78. Just before the show's goodnights segment, a tribute card flashed on screen showing an image of the late director from his era on the show.

'Saturday Night Live' pays tribute to Rob Reiner.

Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner were found dead in their home on Sunday, Dec. 14. Their official cause of death was homicide via multiple sharp force injuries, per the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

The couple's youngest son, Nick Reiner, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his parents. The 32-year-old appeared in court on Dec. 17, where his attorneys declined to enter a plea. He is currently being held without bail while awaiting arraignment on Jan. 7, 2026.**

Michele Singer Reiner and Rob Reiner at 'SNL50: The Homecoming Concert' on Feb. 14, 2025.

John Nacion/Variety via Getty

Starring on *All in the Family* as Michael "Meathead" Stivic at the time, Reiner hosted *SNL*'s third-ever episode on Oct. 25, 1975, following in the footsteps of premiere host George Carlin and episode 2 host Paul Simon. But Reiner was the first host to also appear in sketches with the cast.

Reiner's wife at the time, actress and director Penny Marshall, joined him in multiple sketches, including a standout bit with the Bees, *SNL*'s first recurring characters, led by John Belushi. The rest of the show's season 1 cast — billed as the Not Ready For Primetime Players — included Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, Gilda Radner, and Michael O'Donoghue.

It was a rare episode that featured no musical guest. Instead, Belushi performed "With a Little Help From My Friends" while impersonating Joe Cocker.**

Every 'SNL' season 51 host and musical guest: Ariana Grande, Cher, more

Jack Black details 'SNL' sketch written by Amy Poehler that never made it to air

Nearly two decades later, after his directing career was in full force, Reiner was impersonated on *SNL *by Chris Farley, who played the *A Few Good Men *helmer in the Feb. 20, 1993, cold open alongside Phil Hartman as President Bill Clinton.

Chris Farley playing Rob Reiner on 'SNL' on Feb. 20, 1993.

Over the years, Reiner made many movies featuring actors who've been on the *SNL *cast, including his directorial debut, 1984's *This Is Spinal Tap, *starring Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer, and also featuring Paul Shaffer, Billy Crystal, and Dana Carvey. The fictional band even served as musical guests on a season 9 episode.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Reiner's connection to the sketch show continued when he and Michele Reiner were spotted at *SNL50: The Homecoming Concert *earlier this year.

Saturday's year-end episode was hosted by Ariana Grande with musical guest Cher. It also marked the final appearance of cast member Bowen Yang.

*SNL* is expected to return with new episodes sometime in January.

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW SNL”