The 2026 Emmys' televised In Memoriam segment left out several notable late television stars, including Nicholas Brendon, Chuck Norris and Robert Redford, drawing attention on social media even as the show paid tribute to figures like Dolly Parton, Catherine O'Hara and Rob Reiner.
Brendon, who played Xander Harris on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, died in March at age 54. He was not featured in the broadcast tribute, though his former costars Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz addressed the losses their TV family has endured while presenting an award earlier in the show.
"David and I would like to acknowledge it's been a tough two years for our beloved cast and crew," Gellar said, "and we feel very lucky to have known and worked with such amazing people."
The Buffy cast has lost several members in recent years. Anthony Head, who played Rupert Giles, died in June at age 72 and was included in the in memoriam tribute. Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Dawn Summers, died in February 2025 at age 39.
Chuck Norris and Robert Redford also absent
Chuck Norris, star of Walker, Texas Ranger, died in March at age 86 and was not shown in the tribute. Robert Redford, who died in September 2025 at age 89 after last year's Emmys had already aired, was also left out despite acting in and producing shows including Dark Winds and Death Row Series in addition to his film career.
Other omissions included Grizz Chapman of 30 Rock, who died in May at age 52; Powerpuff Girls voice actor Tom Kane, who died that same month at age 64; and Days of Our Lives actor Patrick Muldoon, who died in June at age 57 following a fatal heart attack.
Social media users also pointed to the absence of Daveigh Chase, who voiced the title character in Disney's Lilo & Stitch and appeared in Big Love and Oliver Beene before her death in June at age 39. Voice actor Peter Cullen, known for Transformers: Prime and The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Gong Show panelist Jaye P. Morgan were also missing after both died in August, weeks before the ceremony, at ages 85 and 94 respectively.
Academy cites 'not feasible' to include everyone
The Television Academy did honor these and other late TV stars on its website. Before the ceremony, Academy chairman Cris Abrego told Variety that because "so many big iconic names" died over the past year, it was "not feasible" to include everyone in the broadcast.
Still, the telecast featured several emotional tributes. Sally Field and Reba McEntire honored Dolly Parton, who died in August at age 80 following a private battle with cancer. Macaulay Culkin, along with Schitt's Creek costars Annie Murphy and Dan Levy, paid tribute to Catherine O'Hara, who died in January at age 71 from a pulmonary embolism with rectal cancer as the underlying cause.
Jamie Lee Curtis remembered Rob Reiner, who was fatally stabbed in December along with his wife, Michele Singer Reiner. Noah Kahan performed a musical tribute in memory of everyone honored during the televised In Memoriam segment.
Top winners of the night
The 2026 Emmys were hosted by Mariska Hargitay. The Pitt won Outstanding Drama Series, while Widow's Bay took home Outstanding Comedy Series.
