No Room for Brigitte Bardot and More - 2026 Oscars' 'In Memoriam' Honors Some, Snubs Others in Emotional Tribute
The 2026 Academy Awards featured an extended 'In Memoriam' segment to honour the many industry figures lost over the past year. Some well-known names were celebrated with personal tributes, while others were notably absent from the live broadcast.
Barbra Streisand paid musical tribute to Robert Redford during the segment. Diane Keaton received a longer, specially crafted homage presented by Rachel McAdams. Rob Reiner was also honoured with multiple personal messages from past collaborators.
Despite the expanded section, several prominent figures were left out. French icon Brigitte Bardot, who shaped post-war cinema, did not appear in the tribute. Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for his role as Theo Huxtable in *The Cosby Show*, was similarly omitted. Other missing names included actors like George Wendt, Julian McMahon, James Ransone, Danielle Spencer, Demond Wilson, and Loretta Swit—all listed on the Academy's website but excluded from the live ceremony. Eric Dane of *Grey's Anatomy* and James Van Der Beek from *Dawson's Creek* were also not acknowledged. Additionally, Robert Carradine, June Lockhart, and Bud Cort were absent from the tribute. The Academy did not disclose specific criteria for selecting individuals in the segment.
The 2026 Oscars recognised many industry losses with an unusually long 'In Memoriam' section. However, the absence of several well-known names left some viewers noting the gaps. The Academy's selection process for the tribute remains unclear.
