City ​​Pictures

“HIS FINAL ROLE SHOCKED HOLLYWOOD… AND COULD STILL WIN AN EMMY AWARD IN 2027.” Rob Reiner’s final on-screen role has been kept secret until now—and it has generated considerable buzz for awards. In “Larry David’s Pursuit of Unhappiness,” the legendary star delivered a daring performance, directly targeting the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES as George Washington, which many believe could earn him a posthumous Emmy nomination. For fans, it was a powerful farewell, potentially one of the most memorable final performances on television.

How Rob Reiner’s final Trump-ripping role in Larry David’s ‘Pursuit of Unhappiness’ could contend for a 2027 Emmy

Shot a month before his death, Reiner plays George Washington in a sketch relentlessly mocking the current president.
Rob Reiner in Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America
Rob Reiner in Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness
John Johnson/HBO

Next week, Rob Reiner is expected to receive a posthumous Emmy nomination for his guest stint on Season 4 of The Bear. The presumptive nod would be a fitting tribute to the widely admired late filmmaker behind such classics as When Harry Met SallyThe Princess Bride, and Stand by Me and Emmy-winning actor for his breakout role on All in the Family.

But, it turns out, this might not be Reiner’s final crack at the Emmys — he very well could be in the running for a statuette at the 2027 ceremony, thanks to longtime friend Larry David.

On Friday, Reiner’s top-secret final role premiered. Shot last November, just weeks before he and his wife, Michelle, were killed, Reiner played George Washington in David’s new history-skewering HBO sketch series, Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America.

In the episode (for which he shaved his signature beard), Reiner plays a retiring President Washington, insisting that the peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of democracy. That prompts incredulity from those gathered.

Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness' EP on Bashing Trump as He Keeps  'Doing More and More Awful Un-American Things'

“Well, what if there’s some a–hole in office, some narcissistic p—k who doesn’t follow the Constitution?” asks a character played by David. “He could use the presidency to enrich himself and his family. He could send troops into American cities to terrorize and even kill American citizens, all to distract from the fact that he’s friends with a pedophile!”

Things devolve from there as the thinly veiled Trump barrage continues. Jimmy Kimmel steps forward in a cameo: “Are you suggesting that the president would taketh the time to challenge anyone who dare make fun of him? As if he were a big baby?”

As chaos reigns, Reiner-as-Washington becomes chagrinned. “We’re f–ked,” he says as the bit ends and an “in memoriam” card comes up.

According to series showrunner and co-creator Jeff Schaffer, they decided to keep the sketch a secret until its airdate, removing it from episodes screened at the premiere. “It just didn’t feel like the right way to show the world,” Schaffer explained to Variety. “We thought long and hard about where the sketch should air … and ultimately we decided that July 3 was the perfect time. Just let it come out on the Fourth of July weekend, on the 250th, and let it sink in that way.”

Speaking to the Daily Beast, Schaffer added: “I love that in this weird way, Rob gets the last word.” And if the episode “spoils a sad octogenarian’s weekend, so be it.”

Like David and Kimmel, Reiner was an outspoken critic of Donald Trump. The president even took to Truth Social to criticize Reiner following his death, writing that the entertainer was “once very talented” but suffered from “a mind-crippling disease known as Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

Rob Reiner Guest Stars in Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness

Given Reiner’s stature in the industry as a producer, director, actor, mentor, and friend, and the nature of the role, the chances are high for a posthumous nomination for Guest Comedy Actor. A few things stand in the way, however, including the timing of the show — voters will need a long memory to put him on the ballot a year from now — as well the middling critical reception to David’s series, and whether HBO campaigners ultimately decide to submit Reiner’s performance for consideration.

In any event, it’s a good bet the TV Academy will honor Reiner with a nod for his work on The Bear as an entrepreneur named Albert, who helps Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson) formulate a plan to franchise The Beef — an idea that comes to fruition in the series finale.

As you can see by the latest Gold Derby prediction data, Reiner has 95% odds of making the cut for Guest Comedy Actor when nominations are announced Wednesday.

Related Posts

I Spent Nearly Two Weeks Recovering in a Hospital Bed After Major Surgery, and the One Person I Expected to See Never Walked Through That Door. But the Moment I Finally Returned Home and Stepped Inside, Everything I Had Been Trying to Understand Suddenly Became Even More Unbelievable.

I spent two weeks in the hospital after surgery, and my husband never visited me once. He answered my texts but never explained why he stayed away. By…

SHOCK!! Prince William Has Ignited Massive Excitement With A Powerful 9-word Statement Celebrating England’s World Cup Joy — But He Kept The Exact Words Tightly Under Wraps. The Future King’s Short, Electrifying Message Has Sent Fans Into A Frenzy And Dominated Headlines, With Everyone Desperate To Decode The Royal’s True Feelings. The Carefully Timed Statement Has Only Fueled More Buzz Around The Tournament And William’s Strong Support For The Three Lions

Prince William at a previous Aston Villa FC game (Image: Getty) Prince William has shared his joy at England’s heroic win against Mexico in Mexico City. The three lions overcame a second…

Dolly Parton Turned What Began As A Tribute To Reba McEntire Into An Unforgettable Duet, Creating A Heartfelt Moment That Left The Crowd Cheering, The Stage Filled With Emotion, And Country Music Fans Calling It Pure Magic.

In 2006, the CMT network sought to create a television special highlighting some of the biggest names in country music. That idea eventually became CMT Giants. And on November…

“VIEWERS ARE CALLING IT THE BEST DICKENS ADAPTATION EVER MADE… AND SOMEHOW IT’S STILL ONE OF THE BBC’S MOST UNDERRATED MASTERPIECES.” If you’re craving a truly unforgettable period drama, Little Dorrit deserves a spot at the top of your watchlist. Starring Claire Foy in one of her most acclaimed early performances, the Emmy-winning series boasts a rare 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and has been praised as one of the finest literary adaptations ever brought to the screen. Rich with unforgettable characters, heartbreak, and breathtaking storytelling, it’s the kind of drama that keeps you glued until the very last episode.

BBC period drama adaptation of classic novel hailed ‘best ever’ The acclaimed period drama starring Claire Foy, has been hailed as the “best adaptation of all time” by…

CALL THE MIDWIFE FANS HAVE DISCOVERED A ‘MASTERPIECE’… AND THEY CAN’T BELIEVE IT WAS CANCELED. If you’re searching for your next emotional period drama, Home Fires might be the hidden gem you’ve been missing. Based on the bestselling novel Jambusters, the WWII series has earned a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, with viewers calling it “20 stars” and one of the most moving dramas ever made. Heartbreaking, inspiring, and packed with unforgettable female characters, it’s the kind of show that leaves a lasting impact—and many fans are still upset it ended far too soon.

Period drama based on best-selling book perfect for Call The Midwife fans Call the Midwife fans have been left speechless after discovering a ‘masterpiece’ WWII period drama hailed…

“THE ‘MASTERPIECE’ JANE AUSTEN DRAMA EVERYONE FELL IN LOVE WITH IS FINALLY RETURNING… AND ITS MOST EMOTIONAL CHAPTER MAY BE NEXT.” After winning over millions of viewers and earning a remarkable 97% Rotten Tomatoes score, The Other Bennet Sister is officially back with a three-part Christmas special. The beloved period drama moves beyond the wedding to explore Mary Bennet’s next chapter, where love, marriage, and real life collide in ways fans never expected. Many are already calling it one of the most anticipated TV returns of the year.

‘Masterpiece’ Jane Austen drama to return The Other Bennet Sister, starring Ella Bruccoleri (Call the Midwife), will return with a three-part Christmas special later this year The BBC’s smash…