It’s an unfortunate Oscars tradition. Every year, the Academy Awards telecast includes an “In Memoriam” segment honoring film industry notables who died in the previous 12 months. And every year, some names fail to make the cut, prompting headscratching and outrage from fans.
This year’s Oscars “In Memoriam” was no exception. While the segment included nods to acting legends like Gene Hackman (who was found dead just days before the March 2 ceremony) and Maggie Smith, as well as visionary director David Lynch, viewers could help but notice some glaring omissions.
Shannen Doherty, Michelle Trachtenberg, Tony Todd, and others not honored in Oscars telecast
At the 2025 ceremony, Morgan Freeman introduced the In Memoriam segment, opening with a moving tribute to his late friend Hackman. As Mozart’s “Requiem” played, photos of Donald Sutherland, Louis Gossett Jr., Jeff Baena, Roger Corman, and many others were displayed on the screen. (Musical icon Quincy Jones was remembered in a separate segment.)
But as the tribute came to an end, the complaints began on social media. Many noticed the absence of Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Michelle Trachtenberg, who died Feb. 26. Also missing was Beverly Hills, 90210 star Shannen Doherty. While Tractenberg and Doherty both appeared in films, they were primarily known for their work in TV, making their absence somewhat understandable. (Doherty, who died in July 2024, was recognized during the In Memoriam segment at the 2024 Emmys.)
Harder to explain was the failure to include Tony Todd, who starred in Candyman, as well Olivia Hussey, who played Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, and French actor Alain Delon, star of Purple Noon and Le Samouraï. Mitzi Gaynor, Linda Lavin, Bernard Hill, Morgan Spurlock, and John Ashton were also snubbed.
Why some people are snubbed during the Oscars ‘In Memoriam’ segment
Why can’t the Oscars recognize every famous actor or director who died in the previous year? The answer comes down to limited time – the segment typically runs about five minutes – combined with a desire to honor people who worked in all facets of the film industry. In addition to celebrities, the 2025 “In Memoriam” also included cinematographer Dick Pope, set decorator KC Fox, and visual effects producer Nancy St. John, among others.
“We have to recognize all the art forms that go into the creation of motion pictures,” former Academy executive director Bruce Davis, who helped select names for previous segments, told The Hollywood Reporter. “And if you include all the people, the steam goes out of the boiler very quickly.”
Putting together the “In Memoriam” list isn’t an exact science, though there are some general guidelines. Previous Oscar winners tend to be included, as do those who’ve received the Academy’s Scientific and Technical Awards, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Past nominees are also likely to be recognized. But when it comes to actors, individuals more known for their work in TV or on stage may be left off. But those who aren’t included in the TV broadcast aren’t completely forgotten. A more extensive “In Memoriam” list is featured on the Academy website, where Trachtenberg, Doherty, Todd, and others are all mentioned.
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