The Academy Awards—commonly known as the Oscars—celebrate achievements in filmmaking, recognizing actors, directors, and creative professionals across the industry. Alongside the awards themselves, the ceremony also includes a solemn moment dedicated to remembering members of the film community who passed away during the past year.
At the 2026 Oscars, held on March 15, the traditional “In Memoriam” segment once again honored many figures from the entertainment world who recently died. The tribute, which blends music and film clips, has long been one of the ceremony’s most emotional moments.
The tradition dates back several decades. It first appeared in 1978 during the 50th Academy Awards, when Sammy Davis Jr. performed “Come Light the Candles” over a memorial montage celebrating film legends who had recently passed away. By 1994, the segment became a permanent part of the ceremony.
Over the past year, the entertainment industry has lost several prominent figures, making the 2026 tribute particularly significant. One of the most notable deaths was Catherine O’Hara, remembered widely for her role in the film Home Alone. She passed away on January 7, 2026, leaving behind a career that spanned decades across comedy, film, and stage.
Just weeks earlier, filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner were found dead in their Los Angeles home on December 14, 2025. The news shocked Hollywood and quickly spread across social media and news outlets.
Other major figures honored during the ceremony included Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, and Diana Ladd—all performers whose work shaped multiple generations of cinema.
To honor Redford’s legacy, Barbra Streisand performed part of the classic song The Way We Were, referencing the film she starred in with Redford. The performance received widespread praise for its emotional tone.
Additional tributes honored legendary director Carl Reiner. Actors including Kiefer Sutherland and Meg Ryan appeared in segments celebrating his contributions to comedy and television.
A special tribute was also dedicated to Diane Keaton, introduced by Rachel McAdams. Her segment highlighted iconic performances in films such as Annie Hall and The Family Stone.
Despite the expanded tribute, viewers quickly noticed that several well-known figures were not included in the televised montage. Among the most discussed omissions was James Van Der Beek, best known for the television series Dawson’s Creek, who died at age 48 after a battle with cancer.
Another widely noted absence was Eric Dane, known to many fans for his work on Grey’s Anatomy. Dane died on February 19, 2026, at age 53. Although both actors were omitted from the televised montage, their names do appear on the Academy’s official online memorial.
Some observers suggested that the primary reason may relate to the performers’ association with television rather than film. However, both actors had film credits as well. Dane appeared in movies such as Marley & Me, Burlesque, Valentine’s Day, and Dangerous Waters.
Similarly, Van Der Beek starred in films including Varsity Blues and The Rules of Attraction, demonstrating his crossover between television and cinema.
Another omission that drew attention was Malcolm-Jamal Warner, widely known for The Cosby Show. Warner died in a drowning accident in Costa Rica in July 2025. His career extended to numerous television roles, including appearances in Sons of Anarchy, Suits, 9-1-1, and The Resident.
Fans were also surprised that legendary French actress Brigitte Bardot was not included in the televised segment after her death in December 2025 at age 91. Bardot’s influence on European cinema and fashion made her absence a major topic of discussion online.
Meanwhile, Gene Hackman—who died earlier in 2025 alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa—was not part of the 2026 segment because he had already been honored during the previous year’s ceremony. Actor Morgan Freeman delivered a tribute to Hackman during that earlier memorial.
Additional omissions noticed by fans included actors Robert Carradine, June Lockhart, and Bud Cort. While these performers had long careers in both film and television, limited broadcast time means not every individual can be included during the televised montage.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences maintains an official “In Memoriam” webpage listing all recently deceased members of the film community. Figures such as Van Der Beek, Warner, Bardot, Carradine, Lockhart, and Cort are included there, ensuring their contributions remain recognized.
Omissions from the televised segment have sparked similar debates in previous years. For example, actress Michelle Trachtenberg, known for Harriet the Spy, was left out of a recent tribute despite her passing shortly before the ceremony.
Other notable exclusions in past years have included Tony Todd, Chance Perdomo, Alain Delon, Olivia Hussey, and documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock.
Fans often attribute these omissions to broadcast limitations. With dozens of industry figures passing away each year, the producers of the ceremony must make difficult editorial decisions within a segment that typically lasts only a few minutes.
Despite these challenges, the “In Memoriam” tribute remains one of the most meaningful parts of the Oscars. Through music, film clips, and reflections from fellow artists, the segment honors the lasting contributions of those who helped shape cinema.
Beyond the ceremony itself, the tribute also serves as a cultural reminder of the enduring impact of film. While individual names may sometimes be missed in the broadcast, the legacy of the artists—preserved through their work—continues to live on for audiences around the world.
