Academy under fire for snubbing famous figures in Oscars tribute

The Academy Awards have long served as the industry’s high altar, a place to celebrate the living and sanctify the dead. Yet, following the 98th Oscars on March 15, the “In Memoriam” segment has once again become a flashpoint for controversy, as fans and critics alike grapple with the notable absence of several screen icons from the telecast’s final roll call.

The tradition of the televised tribute dates back to 1978, when Sammy Davis Jr. performed “Come Light the Candles” at the 50th Academy Awards. While it didn’t become a permanent fixture until 1994, it has since evolved into one of the night’s most anticipated—and scrutinized—segments. This year, the stakes were particularly high following a devastating period for the entertainment community.

A Season of Heavy Losses

The window spanning 2025 and early 2026 saw the passing of some of cinema’s most enduring titans. The ceremony successfully honored several legends, including Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, and Diane Ladd.

The segment was reportedly extended this year to accommodate the sheer volume of high-profile losses. Barbra Streisand provided the evening’s emotional anchor, delivering a poignant rendition of “The Way We Were” in a direct tribute to Redford. Other segments saw Kiefer Sutherland and Meg Ryan honor the late Rob Reiner, who was tragically killed alongside his wife, Michele, in December 2025. Rachel McAdams also took the stage to introduce a dedicated tribute to her The Family Stone co-star, Diane Keaton.

However, the inclusion of these legends only served to highlight the names that remained in the shadows.

The “Television” Debate

The most vocal outcry on social media centered on the omission of James Van Der Beek. The Dawson’s Creek alum, who passed away last month at 48 following a battle with cancer, was nowhere to be found in the montage. Similarly, Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane, who died on February 19 at age 53, was also absent.

Defenders of the Academy’s selection process often argue that the “In Memoriam” segment is reserved for those whose primary legacy is on the silver screen. However, both Dane and Van Der Beek possessed significant film credits; Dane appeared in Marley & Me and Burlesque, while Van Der Beek was a staple of late-90s cinema with lead roles in Varsity Blues and The Rules of Attraction.

The “TV actor” label was also applied to Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who died in a drowning accident in July 2025. Despite a filmography that included several features, his decades of work on The Cosby Show and The Resident apparently relegated him to the Academy’s digital-only archives.

International Icons and Legends Overlooked

Perhaps the most surprising exclusion was the legendary French actress Brigitte Bardot, who died in December 2025 at 91. As one of the most globally recognized faces of post-war cinema, her omission was described by many as “huge.”

Other names missing from the broadcast included:

• Robert Carradine
• June Lockhart
• Bud Cort
• Catherine O’Hara, the Home Alone star who passed away in January 2026.

Notably, fans also questioned the absence of Gene Hackman, who passed away in February 2025. However, in this instance, the Academy remained consistent: Hackman had already been featured in the 2025 tribute, which included a moving eulogy by Morgan Freeman.

The Digital Sideline

As is now standard practice, the Academy points to its official “In Memoriam” webpage, which features a more comprehensive list of dozens of industry professionals. Names like Van Der Beek, Warner, Bardot, and Lockhart are all present there, though for many viewers, a digital listing is a poor substitute for a moment of silence during the global broadcast.

This year’s friction echoes the 97th Oscars, which drew fire for omitting Harriet the Spy star Michelle Trachtenberg, as well as Tony Todd, Chance Perdomo, and Alain Delon.

As the credits roll on another Academy Awards, the recurring question remains: In an industry built on storytelling, who gets to have their final chapter read aloud, and who is relegated to the footnotes?

Do you believe the “In Memoriam” segment should be strictly for film stars, or should it honor any major figure who contributed to the entertainment industry? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.