James Woods did something rare on live television. He broke with Donald Trump.

On Fox News, the 78-year-old actor spoke about the death of filmmaker Rob Reiner, his former colleague and longtime political opposite. Woods praised Reiner as a “patriot” and a friend. Then he grew visibly emotional. He said Reiner stood by him when it mattered most.

Woods pointed to one turning point. Reiner cast him in Ghosts of Mississippi when Woods says his career had stalled. Woods said the role changed everything. More importantly, he said Reiner fought for him when others would not.

Then Woods addressed the noise that followed the tragedy. He called the public attacks “infuriating” and “distasteful.” He stressed a simple idea: disagreement does not require hate. He said he and Reiner took different routes, but they aimed at the same destination. They both loved America.

Those remarks carried extra weight because Woods often supports Trump. Yet Trump recently posted sharp criticism of Reiner after the director and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, died. Trump also repeated his stance when reporters questioned him.

Meanwhile, police continue to investigate the deaths. Authorities arrested the couple’s adult son, Nick Reiner, and prosecutors are reviewing the case.

In the middle of that storm, Woods offered a quieter message. Grief should come first. Respect should follow close behind.