'Disgusting': Oscars slammed after In Memoriam segment leaves out 6 major stars

Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek weren't included in the ceremony
Cameron Frew
By Cameron Frew

The Oscars had an extended In Memoriam segment this year, but six stars weren’t among the tributes – and fans have branded it a “disgrace”.

Billy Crystal took to the stage during the ceremony to remember Rob Reiner, the late director who was found dead in his home (alongside his wife, Michele Singer Ringer) last year. Soon after, several stars from Reiner’s films (like Meg Ryan, Demi Moore, and Kathy Bates) joined Crystal for the tribute.

From here, the segment took its usual form: images and clips celebrating those who’ve died. There were more pronounced tributes, too. Rachel McAdams honoured Diane Keaton and Catherine O’Hara, while Barbra Streisand paid tribute to Robert Redford.

However, there were surprising omissions, with one fan writing on X, “Screw the Oscars.”

A photo of Rob and Michelle Reiner at the Oscars
Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle got a special tribute (Credit: ITV)

The 6 stars missing from the 2026 Oscars In Memoriam segment

Of those who weren’t included in this year’s In Memoriam segment, six are notable: James Van Der Beek, Eric Dane, Brigitte Bardot, Hulk Hogan, Richard Chamberlain, and Robert Carradine.

Van Der Beek, best known for playing Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek, died aged 48 in February this year.

Dane, who rose to fame on Grey’s Anatomy and also starred in Euphoria, also died in February at the age of 53, coming after he’d been diagnosed with ALS.

Bardot, a controversial actress and activist, died in late December last year at the age of 91. Hulk Hogan, the iconic (but also controversial) wrestler, died in July 2025, aged 71.

Chamberlain, an American actor known for his roles in The Thorn Birds and the original Shōgun TV show, died in March last year, aged 90. Carradine, who came from a line of American actors and became known for his portrayal of Lizzie McGuire’s dad, died in February this year at the age of 71.

Oscars viewers slam ‘disrespectful’ omissions in In Memoriam

As soon as the In Memoriam segment wrapped up, viewers took to social media to criticise the omissions of Dane, Van Der Beek, and the others.

“The disrespect,” one user wrote on X.

“This is terrible on the Oscars. May these beautiful souls rest in peace,” another posted.

“If the Oscars can find 10 minutes for an opening skit, they can find five seconds for a photo of Eric Dane. Leaving him out just because he did more tv than movies is such a tired, elitist excuse,” a third wrote.

Others called it “disgraceful”, while one viewer wrote: “Shameful! Somebody really dropped the ball.”

“Absolutely disgusting… to exclude them from the In Memoriam is a slap in the face to their families and millions of fans,” another wrote.

Eric Dane at an Amazon Prime Video event
Dane could be honoured at the Emmys (Credit: Ryan Hartford/INSTARimages.com)

Why didn’t the Oscars include Eric Dane?

The Academy hasn’t given an official reason as to why Eric Dane (or the other stars) weren’t included.

Some viewers have speculated it’s a matter of timing. Dane died on February 19, less than a month before the ceremony. This could indicate he’ll be honoured in next year’s segment.

“They died in 2026, the next year is their turn in the memoriam moment,” one user claimed. Another posted: “Cause they died in 2026 and it’s only for 2025. First time watching the Oscars?”

However, that isn’t necessarily true. Catherine O’Hara and Robert Duvall both died this year, and they were included in the In Memoriam segment.

The Academy published a full In Memoriam list online, which includes Dane and all of the stars who didn’t feature in the ceremony’s segment.

It’s also worth remembering that Dane and Van Der Beek are generally known as TV stars, so they’re expected to be part of this year’s Emmys In Memoriam tributes.

As one viewer speculated, “They were best known for their TV work, which falls under the Emmy awards, not Oscars.”

Read more: How to watch every 2026 Best Picture movie after the Oscars

You can watch the full Oscars ceremony on ITVX.