The annual “In Memoriam” segment at the Academy Awards has long been intended as a solemn moment during the ceremony, pausing the celebrations of cinema to recognise members of the film industry who died during the previous year. Yet the tribute has repeatedly sparked debate about who is included and who is not, and the 2026 Oscars proved no exception. The broadcast tribute during the 98th Academy Awards prompted criticism and discussion among viewers and industry observers after several well-known figures who died in the preceding year were absent from the televised montage, despite their connections to film.
The ceremony took place on 15 March 2026 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. As in previous years, the memorial segment featured a montage of images and clips remembering filmmakers, actors and industry professionals who had died since the previous Oscars ceremony. Among those honoured on screen were major figures including actor Robert Redford, actress Diane Keaton and director Rob Reiner, whose careers had spanned decades and shaped modern cinema. Special tributes were presented during the ceremony, including one by Billy Crystal commemorating Reiner’s work as a filmmaker and cultural figure.
The tribute also included numerous other figures from across the film industry, including actors Val Kilmer and Robert Duvall, composer Lalo Schifrin and production designer Stuart Craig, along with casting directors, editors and technical contributors whose work helped shape many well-known films. The Academy traditionally attempts to reflect the breadth of the filmmaking community by including a mixture of performers, creative artists and behind-the-scenes professionals in the tribute.
However, shortly after the broadcast aired, viewers and commentators began pointing out that several prominent names were not included in the televised montage. Among those whose absence drew attention were actors James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane, both widely recognised television performers who had also appeared in films. French cinema icon Brigitte Bardot, Indian film veteran Dharmendra and actor Bud Cort were also cited by viewers as notable omissions.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organises the Oscars, publishes a longer memorial list online that typically contains more names than can fit within the time limits of the broadcast segment. According to reports following the ceremony, several of the figures absent from the televised montage were included in the extended memorial published on the Academy’s official website.
James Van Der Beek’s absence from the televised segment became one of the most widely discussed points of reaction. The actor died on 11 February 2026 at the age of 48 after being diagnosed with stage-three colorectal cancer, a condition he had publicly revealed in 2024. Van Der Beek was best known for starring in the television series “Dawson’s Creek”, which ran from 1998 to 2003 and made him one of the most recognisable young actors of that era.
Although his career was strongly associated with television, he also appeared in films including the 1999 sports drama “Varsity Blues”, a role that helped establish his reputation among younger audiences at the time. Following news that he had not been included in the televised montage, some fans and viewers expressed disappointment on social media, arguing that his film work and cultural impact warranted recognition during the broadcast.
Another omission frequently mentioned by viewers was Eric Dane, an actor widely known for his role as Dr Mark Sloan in the television drama “Grey’s Anatomy”. Dane died in February 2026 after living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurological disease. Although his career was primarily associated with television, he also appeared in several films, including “X-Men: The Last Stand” and “Marley & Me”.
Fans responding online suggested that Dane’s absence from the broadcast tribute was particularly disappointing given the timing of his death and the potential to draw attention to ALS. Social media users described the omission as a “snub” and questioned how the final list of names for the televised segment was determined.
The exclusion of Brigitte Bardot also drew significant attention internationally. Bardot, who rose to global fame during the 1950s and 1960s, was one of the most recognisable faces of European cinema in the post-war era. Her films such as “And God Created Woman” helped define the image of French cinema abroad and made her an international star.
Although Bardot largely withdrew from acting decades ago and later became known for her animal rights activism, her legacy within film history remains substantial. Viewers in France and elsewhere expressed surprise that such a well-known figure was not included in the televised montage. Some commentators speculated that her controversial political views in later life may have contributed to the omission, though no official explanation was given during the ceremony.
Several other actors and filmmakers were also cited as absent from the broadcast tribute. These included Loni Anderson, Robert Carradine and Julian McMahon, performers whose careers spanned television and film. While many of them were more strongly associated with television, several had film credits that supporters argued justified inclusion.
The discussion around omissions from the “In Memoriam” segment is not new. Each year the Academy must choose which names to include within a broadcast segment that typically lasts only a few minutes. Because hundreds of film industry professionals may die in a given year, the televised montage inevitably represents only a portion of those remembered by the Academy.
The Academy has long attempted to address this limitation by maintaining an extended online list that includes additional names beyond those shown on television. Nevertheless, the broadcast tribute is widely regarded as the most visible form of recognition, which is why omissions from the televised montage often attract public attention.
This is not the first time the segment has drawn criticism. In previous years viewers have expressed frustration when prominent figures were left out, including actors who died shortly before the ceremony or individuals whose careers were primarily in television rather than film. The issue highlights the difficulty of defining the boundaries of recognition within an industry where many performers work across multiple media.
At the same time, the tribute remains one of the most emotional moments of the Oscars broadcast. During the 2026 ceremony, the memorial montage was accompanied by live performances and introductions from well-known actors, creating a reflective pause in the otherwise celebratory event. The segment included appearances by presenters and performers who introduced tributes to major figures of the past year, including Robert Redford and Diane Keaton.
Redford, one of the most influential actors and filmmakers of the late twentieth century, was honoured for a career that included landmark films such as “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “All the President’s Men”. Keaton, another iconic performer, was recognised for her decades of work in film, from “Annie Hall” to numerous later roles that cemented her place in American cinema.
Director Rob Reiner also received a dedicated tribute segment during the ceremony. Reiner’s career included directing films such as “Stand by Me”, “The Princess Bride” and “A Few Good Men”. During the tribute, Billy Crystal reflected on Reiner’s influence as a filmmaker and collaborator, highlighting both his creative achievements and his long-standing friendships within Hollywood.
Despite the emotional tone of the tribute itself, the discussion about who was not included quickly spread across social media platforms after the ceremony concluded. Some viewers argued that the Academy should expand the length of the segment to accommodate more names, while others suggested that the criteria for inclusion should be clarified.
Others pointed out that the Oscars ceremony primarily honours achievements in film, meaning that actors best known for television work may be less likely to appear in the broadcast tribute. Even so, critics noted that many of the omitted figures had appeared in films during their careers, which led some viewers to question the consistency of the selection process.
The Academy itself has not provided a detailed explanation of how the final list for the broadcast tribute is compiled. Historically, the organisation has said that the selection process is overseen by producers of the ceremony and by Academy committees who review the names of members and other notable figures connected to the film industry who died during the year.
While the 2026 controversy focused on a handful of high-profile omissions, the memorial segment itself still commemorated dozens of individuals whose work shaped the global film industry. These included actors, directors, screenwriters, editors and craftspeople whose contributions spanned decades of filmmaking.
For many viewers, the segment remains an important reminder of the collective nature of cinema. Films are created by large teams of people whose work often continues to influence audiences long after their deaths. Each year the Oscars memorial aims to recognise that shared legacy, even as debates continue over how best to honour all those who contributed to it.
