The Oscars are a time to celebrate all the incredible actors out there. But it’s also traditionally a moment to remember those who are no longer with us.
This year, however, a handful of notable stars were noticeably left out.
In Memoriam segment was extended
The Oscars have a long tradition of honoring film legends who have passed away.
It began in 1978 during the 50th Academy Awards, when Sammy Davis Jr. performed “Come Light the Candles” over a special memorial montage.
However, it wasn’t until 1994 that the In Memoriam segment became a regular part of the ceremony. Today, it has been a decades‑long tradition, and many viewers look forward to honoring those who are no longer with us.
The period covering 2025 and early 2026 has been especially difficult in terms of celebrity losses. The world lost Home Alone star Catherine O’Hara on January 7, 2026, and just weeks earlier, Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were tragically killed in their Los Angeles home on December 14, 2025.
Other major figures who recently passed away include Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, and Diana Ladd — all of whom were acknowledged during last night’s Oscars on March 15.
Reportedly, this year’s In Memoriam segment was extended to honor all of these individuals, though some notable names were still omitted. Barbra Streisand performed part of “The Way We Were,” the classic song from her film with Robert Redford, as a tribute.
Oscars 2026: Rachel McAdams pays tribute to Diane Keaton, Catherine O’Hara
Several other stars also honored Carl Reiner, including Kiefer Sutherland and Meg Ryan. Diane Keaton was remembered in a longer segment introduced by Rachel McAdams, known for her role in The Family Stone.
But fans quickly noticed that Dawson’s Creek alum James Van Der Beek, who died at 48 last month from cancer, was not included.
Others pointed out that Grey’s Anatomy actor Eric Dane was also missing. He died shortly after Van Der Beek, on February 19, at age 53.
Some film fans suggested the omissions weren’t personal, speculating that the actors may have been left out because they were primarily known for television rather than film.
Despite being best known for TV, both Dane and Van Der Beek had appeared in movies. Dane had roles in Marley & Me, Burlesque, Valentine’s Day, and Dangerous Waters, while Van Der Beek starred in 1990s and 2000s hits like Varsity Blues and The Rules of Attraction.
Another actor seemingly overlooked was Malcolm‑Jamal Warner, who died in a drowning accident in Costa Rica in July 2025. Like Dane and Van Der Beek, he was primarily a TV actor, known for The Cosby Show, Sons of Anarchy, Suits, 9‑1‑1, and The Resident.
Brigitte Bardot was another omission, with one social media user calling it “a huge omission.” The French actress died in December 2025 at 91 and was celebrated as one of the most recognizable faces of post‑war cinema.
Fans also noted that Gene Hackman was not included. Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at home in February 2025. Although there were initial questions about their deaths, investigations confirmed they had died of separate causes within a short time.
Actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa pose for a portrait in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Hackman, however, would not have appeared in this year’s tribute because he was already featured in last year’s In Memoriam segment, where Morgan Freeman delivered a moving eulogy.
According to Variety, other celebrities not mentioned in this year’s segment included Robert Carradine, June Lockhart, and Bud Cort.
Dozens of actors who passed away over the past year are listed on the Academy Awards’ official In Memoriam webpage. Van Der Beek, Warner, Bardot, Carradine, Lockhart, and Cort all appear there.
It’s a recurring issue that certain names are often left out, drawing criticism from fans. Last year, viewers were disappointed that Harriet the Spy star Michelle Trachtenberg, who passed away shortly before the Oscars, was not mentioned. Similarly, actors such as Tony Todd, Chance Perdomo, Alain Delon, and Romeo and Juliet star Olivia Hussey were omitted, along with documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock.
