The 2026 Emmys In Memoriam segment paid tribute to Rob Reiner, Catherine O’Hara and Dolly Parton, but four names that meant a lot to TV fans never made it on screen. Daveigh Chase, Nicholas Brendon, Chuck Norris and Robert Redford were all left out of the montage, and viewers noticed fast.
Daveigh Chase, who died in June at 35, was the standout omission for her manager Johnny Ryan, who publicly called the snub awful. Nicholas Brendon, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum who died in March at 54, was missing just as the show marked its 30th anniversary reunion, which made the absence hit even harder for fans. Chuck Norris, a television staple thanks to Walker, Texas Ranger, and Robert Redford, who died in September 2025 at 89, rounded out the list.
The Television Academy’s response points to time limitations during the telecast and its online In Memoriam database, which is meant to be the complete record. Redford was honored at the 2026 Oscars, so his omission stings a little less, but the others raise a bigger question about how these tribute lists get built.
Who do you think the Emmys should have included?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.