This year, the ceremony included heartfelt tributes to figures like Rob Reiner and Catherine O’Hara, among other recently departed icons. However, conspicuously absent were several high-profile names. Among the most surprising omissions was the legendary French actress Brigitte Bardot, who passed away in December 2025. The segment also overlooked Bud Cort, known for his roles in “Harold and Maude” and “Brewster McCloud,” who died in February 2026. Another notable absence was Robert Carradine, famed for his roles in “Revenge of the Nerds” and “Lizzie McGuire.”

The exclusion of these prominent figures from the televised tribute was unexpected, yet they were not the only ones left out. The segment also missed a host of actors who, while perhaps more renowned for their television work, made significant contributions to cinema. This list includes James Van Der Beek, celebrated for “Dawson’s Creek” and films like “Varsity Blues”; Eric Dane, known for “X-Men: The Last Stand” and “Burlesque”; Malcolm Jamal Warner from “The Cosby Show” and “Fool’s Gold”; Loretta Switt of “M*A*S*H” fame; Loni Anderson from “WKRP In Cincinnati” and “Stroker Ace”; June Lockhart, the matriarch in “Lost in Space” and star of classics like “Meet Me in St. Louis”; Anthony Geary, known for “UHF” and “General Hospital”; and Julian McMahon, recognized for his roles in the “Fantastic Four” series and “Nip/Tuck.”

Even actors known for B-movies or less critically acclaimed films, such as Hulk Hogan from “Rocky III” and Joe Don Baker of “Walking Tall,” were missing from the tribute. Additionally, Peter Greene, a notable contributor to Quentin Tarantino’s work, famed for his role as the Gimp in “Pulp Fiction,” was overlooked. Marianne Faithfull and Bob Uecker, though celebrated more for their contributions to music and baseball, also made memorable appearances in films like “Marie Antoinette” and the “Major League” series, respectively. Furthermore, actors like James Ransone and Wings Hauser, known for their compelling performances in genre films, were also absent from the segment.

Among the many snubbed by the Academy’s onscreen In Memoriam tribute were a slate of actors who may be better known for their television roles but still made an impact on the big screen: James Van Der Beek — who headed “Dawson’s Creek” but was also the star of films like “Varsity Blues”; Eric Dane, who appeared in “X-Men: The Last Stand” and “Burlesque” as well as “Grey’s Anatomy”; Malcolm Jamal Warner, of “The Cosby Show” and “Malcolm and Eddie,” along with “Fool’s Gold”; Loretta Switt — of both “M*A*S*H” and “S.O.B”; Loni Anderson, of “WKRP In Cincinnati” but also “Stoker Ace”; June Lockhart, mom to “Lassie” and the Robinson family in “Lost in Space,” and also the star of multiple old Hollywood films like “Meet me In St. Louis”; Anthony Geary, who appeared in Weird Al’s cult film “UHF” as well as putting in decades of work on “General Hospital”; and Julian McMahon, of the “Fantastic Four” series as well as “Charmed” and “Nip/Tuck.” 

Though they might be better known for appearing in B films or movies that weren’t critically adored, “Rocky III” movie actor Hulk Hogan and “Walking Tall” king Joe Don Baker were undeniably movie stars who should have merited a nod. Additionally, a major contributor to the work of Quentin Tarantino — Peter Greene, who infamously played the Gimp in “Pulp Fiction” — wasn’t brought up, either. Marianne Faithfull and Bob Uecker might have been better known in other fields — music and baseball — but they still had memorable film moments: Ueker in the “Major League” series of films and Faithfull in “The Girl on the Motorcycle” and “Marie Antoinette.” Additionally, James Ransone and Wings Hauser put in memorable performances in genre pictures, but they also weren’t listed in the In Memoriam segment.

Despite all of these omissions, these performers will be deeply missed by Hollywood and those who loved them most.