Saturday Night Live Tributes have been paid to the late director Rob Reiner, one of the comedy show’s first hosts, just days after his shocking death.
During the December 20 episode, which featured Ariana Grande as host and Cher as musical guest, the show took a moment to remember Rob, who hosted the third episode of SNL Back in October 1975.
To honor one of the sketch comedy show’s first presenters, a commemorative card appeared on screen showing Rob’s throwback shot from his time on the show before the show’s bedtime segment.
The late director was also the first-ever host of SNL comedy skits and his then-wife, Penny Marshall, also appeared in sketches at the time.
The tribute came nearly a week after Rob and his wife, Michelle, were found dead in their Los Angeles home by their daughter, Romi Rainer, on December 14. The late couple’s son, Nick Rayner, was arrested the same day and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. These charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison or the death penalty, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Rob and Michelle’s causes of death were due to multiple blunt force injuries.
Furthermore, Saturday’s episode of the late-night comedy series also marked the end of Bowen Yang’s seven-year run on the show. The comedian said goodbye with an emotional drawing of a Delta One Lounge employee.
While portraying his character working his final shift on Christmas Eve, Young sang the 1960 song Please Come Home for Christmas by Charles Brown, as a duet with Grande.