Oscars In Memoriam graphic as part of a story explaining the annual award show segment. (Credit: Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images)
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Here’s Why There’s a Yearly Debate About the Oscars In Memoriam Segment

Posted on by Epiphany La’ Sha

The Oscars remain one of the most anticipated nights in media, and among its most-discussed moments each year is the In Memoriam segment, a tribute honoring members of the film industry who died the previous year. Honorees consist of individuals who have made notable achievements in film, including actors, writers, makeup artists, production designers, script supervisors, photographers, directors and a host of other behind-the-scenes professionals. This year’s segment was particularly interesting because it wasn’t only about who was included, but also about who wasn’t. Here’s an explainer on why the Oscars 2026 In Memoriam tribute caused quite the stir online.

Diving Into This Year’s Oscars In Memoriam Segment

Placed together by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the broadcast portion includes months of planning for lights, music selection, graphic motion and words, speeches, photos, listing order, camera direction and pacing. Despite its emotional weight, the segment operates under strict time constraints, controlling how long the list can be. This leaves no room for errors or overtime, as that can run afoul of sponsorship agreements and advertising commitments. As a result, only a portion of eligible individuals can be included in the televised montage.

Still, every year, viewers often take to social media to debate who is more deserving. Expressing their thoughts on why those should or shouldn’t have been included in the In Memoriam.

X user @thegiovannilago weighed in on the segment, tweeting, “Billy Crystal talking about Rob Reiner. Rachel McAdams talking about Diane Keaton. Barbara Streisand talking about Robert Redford. That honestly might’ve been one of, if not the greatest, In Memorium tributes in the history of the Academy Awards. #Oscars.”

Geoff Keighley shared on X that his father’s omission from the segment was disappointing and heartbreaking. “David Keighley, 77, died on August 28, 2025, from cancer. David served as IMAX’s first chief quality officer and oversaw nearly 500 productions,” she tweeted.

The Dane family told TMZ they were sad after the Oscars left Eric Dane out of the In Memoriam segment. The beloved actor appeared in the long-running show “Grey’s Anatomy,” HBO’s “Euphoria,” and “The Last Ship,” among many other roles. He died on February 19 from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), surrounded by his family and friends.

During this year’s 2026 broadcast, the list included lots of global media figures like director and actor Rob Reiner (78) and his wife Michele (68), who were found dead in their home on December 14, 2025, allegedly murdered by their own son, Nick. Rob directed movies like “The Bucket List,” “Flipped,” and “So It Goes,” among others. Michelle is an activist, photographer, and producer. She co-produced films like “Albert Brooks: Defending My Life” while serving as co-president of Castle Rock Entertainment. 

Award-winning actor, producer, screenwriter, and director Diane Keaton was also included. “The Godfather” Parts I, II and III are among her most popular films, but she also appeared in “Annie Hall” (1977), “The Good Mother” (1988), “The Judge” (2014), and many others. Keaton died of pneumonia on October 11, 2025, at the age of 79. 

Catherine O’Hara, an award-winning actress and writer, loved comedy. Most recently, she starred in The Studio and Schitt’s Creek. O’Hara still holds weight in the top ranking of holiday movies to this day, “Home Alone” I and II (1990 and 1992). Reports say she had been under oncology care since March 2025, dying on January 30, from pulmonary embolism caused by recurrent cancer.  

Missed the Oscars In Memoriam Segment? Here’s How To Watch

While not every honoree was featured during the live broadcast, the Academy later released a more comprehensive list honoring around 300 figures from 2025 and 2026.

The difference between the televised tribute and the extended online list reflects an ongoing challenge for the Academy operating on limited time. Still, the In Memoriam segment endures as one of the Oscars’ most powerful and most talked-about traditions. Giving filmmakers their flowers for the art they left behind. 

Credit: Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images

Epiphany La’ Sha