Fans of the late Gene Hackman were left outraged after the Hollywood legend was omitted from the In Memoriam segment at the 2025 Emmy Awards on Sunday night.
The tribute, which honors major television and entertainment figures who have recently passed away, featured Vince Gill and Lainey Wilson performing an emotional rendition of Gill’s Go Rest High on That Mountain.
While the Emmy tribute typically spotlights TV icons, it also included broader industry names, such as Ozzy Osbourne, who was remembered this year not only as a rock star but also for his role in the hit reality series The Osbournes.
Many viewers were quick to note that Hackman, who died earlier this year at 95, had an extensive career that included significant TV credits such as the 1965 series I Spy.
The two-time Oscar winner, best known for his roles in the films Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and The French Connection (1971), is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation and had a career that spanned over four decades.
Outraged fans took to X to vent their frustration.
Fans of the late Gene Hackman were left outraged after the Hollywood legend was omitted from the In Memoriam segment at the 2025 Emmy Awards on Sunday night; seen in 1993
‘Where was Gene Hackman in the In Memoriam?’ one viewer asked.
Another fumed: ‘Did they leave out Gene Hackman? Ugh.’
A third wondered: ‘Did I miss GENE HACKMAN? Was he included?’
The In Memoriam segment did include tributes to David Lynch, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, George Wendt, Quincy Jones, Dame Maggie Smith, and Chuck Woolery.
But Hackman wasn’t the only glaring omission.
‘Only turned it on to see the In Memoriam and they left out way too many people,’ one viewer complained.
Another fumed: ‘No mention of Hulk Hogan during the In Memoriam segment at the Emmys. Disgraceful. He was on TV for 40 years!’
Others pointed out additional absences, including Jonathan Joss, Val Kilmer, Terence Stamp, Tristan Rogers, Loni Anderson, Polly Holiday, Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson, Squid Game actress Lee Joo-sil, Jeff Baena, Tony Todd and Connie Francis.
The tribute, which honors major TV and entertainment figures who have recently passed away, featured Vince Gill and Lainey Wilson performing an emotional rendition of Go Rest High on That Mountain
While the Emmy tribute typically spotlights TV icons, it also included broader industry names, such as Ozzy Osbourne
Outraged fans took to X to vent their frustration
While not everyone was featured in the broadcast tribute, a more comprehensive list can be found on the Emmys website, which includes Hackman’s name.
In February, Hackman and classical pianist wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead and partially mummified in their Santa Fe mansion.
After much speculation, it was revealed Arakawa had died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in their bathroom days before Hackman passed.
Arakawa also had fluid accumulation in her chest and mild hardening of the vessels that supplied blood to the heart and body at the time of her death, per her autopsy report obtained by The Associated Press.
Arakawa tested negative for COVID-19 and the flu and showed no signs of trauma.
She tested positive for caffeine and negative for alcohol and intoxicating drugs.
Her carbon monoxide levels were within a normal range.
Many viewers were quick to note that Hackman, who died earlier this year at 95, had an extensive career that included significant TV credits such as the 1965 series I Spy (seen in 2003)
The two-time Oscar winner, best known for his roles in the films Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and The French Connection (1971), had a career that spanned over four decades (pictured in 1992)
In February, Hackman and classical pianist wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead and partially mummified in their Santa Fe mansion; seen in March 21, 1994
According to the final autopsy results for Hackman, he had ‘a ‘history of congestive heart failure’ and ‘severe chronic hypertensive changes, kidneys.’
He also had a ‘bi-ventricular pacemaker’ since April 2019 and ‘neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer’s Disease.’
‘Autopsy showed severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with placement of coronary artery stents and a bypass graft, as well as a previous aortic valve replacement,’ the documents stated.
‘Remote myocardial infarctions were present involving the left ventricular free wall and the septum, which were significantly large. Examination of the brain showed microscopic findings of advanced stage Alzheimer’s disease.’
Hackman tested negative for Hantavirus.
Police have since determined that Arakawa died first around February 12 as a result of respiratory symptoms caused by the rare but deadly virus, which is passed on through rodent urine, saliva and feces. She was 65.
