James Woods Slams “Infuriating and Distasteful” Comments Amid Rob Reiner’s Death

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.”