Oscars In Memoriam Segment Sparks Controversy with Notable Exclusions
The 2026 Academy Awards ceremony featured a poignant In Memoriam tribute that honoured numerous film industry luminaries who passed away in the preceding year. However, the segment has ignited significant controversy due to the omission of several high-profile stars, including French icon Brigitte Bardot and American actor James Van Der Beek.
Emotional Tributes to Recognised Figures
The memorial segment commenced with a deeply personal tribute from comedian Billy Crystal to his close friend and collaborator, director Rob Reiner. Reiner, along with his wife Michele, tragically died in late 2025. Crystal, visibly emotional, described Reiner's passing as an "immeasurable loss" to the film community.
Further tributes included actress Rachel McAdams honouring Catherine O'Hara and Diane Keaton, while legendary singer Barbra Streisand delivered a musical homage to Robert Redford. The accompanying video montage acknowledged other departed stars such as Claudia Cardinale, Robert Duvall, and Val Kilmer.
Controversial Omission of Brigitte Bardot
Among the most conspicuous absences was Brigitte Bardot, the celebrated French actress who died in December 2025 at the age of 91. Bardot, renowned for her role in And God Created Woman, was a polarising figure in her later years due to her outspoken political views on interracial marriage, immigration, and the Me Too movement.
Her controversial legacy was previously highlighted at the French Cesar Awards, where her inclusion in a similar tribute elicited boos and accusations of racism from the audience. The Oscars' decision to exclude her has nonetheless surprised many, given her international fame and cinematic impact.
Other Significant Exclusions from the Tribute
The list of omitted stars extends beyond Bardot. James Van Der Beek, who died from cancer in February 2026 at age 48, was not mentioned. Van Der Beek was best known for his television work and roles in films like Varsity Blues, leaving behind a wife and six children.
Similarly, actor Eric Dane, famed for his performances in the X-Men film series, was excluded. Dane passed away earlier in the year from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The tribute also failed to include Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for The Tuskegee Airmen, who died at age 54 in July 2025 while surfing in Costa Rica.
Additional notable omissions were:
- June Lockhart from Meet Me In St. Louis
- Bud Cort from Harold and Maude
- George Wendt from Forever Young
- Julian McMahon, who portrayed Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four
- James Ransone from It
- Loretta Swit from MASH
- Demond Wilson from The Butler
- Indian actor Dharmendra, with over 300 Hindi films
- Prunella Scales from Howards End
Fan Reactions and Historical Context of Omissions
Audience reactions on social media platforms expressed clear dissatisfaction with the exclusions. One fan remarked, "The segment runs for 15 minutes and not even a mention of Brigitte." Another stated, "Brigitte was a huge omission," reflecting widespread sentiment.
This incident is not unprecedented for the Oscars. Previous In Memoriam segments have also overlooked significant figures, including Michelle Trachtenberg from Ice Princess in 2025, and in earlier years, Chance Perdomo, Alain Delon, Tony Todd, and Olivia Hussey from Romeo and Juliet.
The oversight raises ongoing questions about the selection criteria for these memorial tributes and highlights the challenge of honouring every deserving individual within time constraints, while inevitably disappointing fans of the excluded stars.
