The Academy Awards 2026 might be over, but the conversation around its emotional ‘In Memoriam’ segment is far from done. What’s meant to be a heartfelt tribute has once again sparked debate, with viewers
questioning why several well-known names were missing from the televised montage.
Addressing the growing backlash, broadcast executive Rob Mills defended the segment, calling it one of the most challenging aspects of putting the show together. Despite the tribute running nearly 15 minutes longer than usual this year, only a select group of late film personalities were featured on screen, alongside more detailed tributes to figures like Rob Reiner, Diane Keaton, Catherine O’Hara and Robert Redford.
However, several prominent names, including Eric Dane, Brigitte Bardot, James Van Der Beek, Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Indian cinema legend Dharmendra, did not appear in the televised segment. Instead, they were included in a longer list of nearly 300 names published on the Academy’s official website.
Speaking to Variety, Mills acknowledged the criticism and explained that the final decisions lie with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “It is hard. I think it’s the hardest thing they possibly do. It always is hard when they are sort of villainised for this.”
He further added, “Yes, there’s always people who are left out. Unfortunately, we’re losing more and more people, and especially, we’re losing legendary people every year, so it is probably the hardest needle to thread.”
Despite the backlash, Mills stood by the segment, stating, “I do think what they did last night might have been the best In Memoriam in the history of the Oscars.”
The omissions also drew sharp reactions from India. Veteran actor Hema Malini criticised the exclusion of Dharmendra, expressing disappointment over the oversight. “It is a shame, of course. A shame for them to have overlooked an actor who means so many things to so many people in many parts of the world. Dharamji was known and recognised everywhere. He never got too many awards during his lifetime. Why should he care about the Oscars? Both of us, we were happy to be loved in our country. But awards always eluded him.”
The ‘In Memoriam’ segment has long been one of the most emotionally significant moments of the Oscars, but it has also consistently invited scrutiny over who gets included.
