James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane were among the stars excluded from the “In Memoriam” tribute at the 2026 Academy Awards.
The “Dawson’s Creek” alum lost his battle to colon cancer in February, with the “Euphoria” star passing away later that same month of ALS.
Social media users expressed outrage over the snubs via X after the show.
“What a missed opportunity,” one wrote, as another added, “It was wrong to leave them out.”
Many pointed out that Van Der Beek and Dane were primarily known for their work on TV, although the duo both appeared in films throughout their career.
The pair, notably, died just ahead of the awards show — as did Michelle Trachtenberg, whose snub made headlines last year.
Additionally, actress Brigitte Bardot, “Cosby Show” alum Malcolm-Jamal Warner and “Lizzie McGuire” dad Robert Carradine were left out of the touching moment at Sunday’s Oscars.
The segment did honor Catherine O’Hara, Robert Duvall, Diane Ladd and more A-listers — with expanded tributes to “When Harry Met Sally” director Rob Reiner, “Annie Hall” star Diane Keaton and leading man Robert Redford.
To honor Redford, who died in September 2025 at 89, Barbra Streisand sang “The Way We Were,” a song from her and the actor’s 1973 film of the same name.
Rachel McAdams called Keaton, her “Family Stone” co-star, a “legend with no end” in a moving speech, five months after the 79-year-old’s death.
As for Reiner, who was stabbed to death in his Los Angeles home in December 2025 alongside wife Michele Reiner, the “All in the Family” alum was honored by Kiefer Sutherland, Meg Ryan and more attendees.
The segment was not “taken lightly,” Oscars producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan told Variety ahead of this weekend’s event.
“It’s everything from graphic design to titles to placement, because it all matters,” the former explained. “Who follows who, where those beats happen — it’s very nuanced.
“The team that puts together the film is almost working all the way up to the show because there are so many changes and revisions,” he continued. “It’s a chance for people to say goodbye. It’s a chance for them to see some of their favorite people one more time, and it’s a memory.”
Mullan added that the industry has had “an incredibly tough year of losses” as “so many cinema titans have passed away.”
Read the full article here
