The 2026 Emmys In Memoriam segment delivered a moving tribute, with Noah Kahan performing“Bridge Over Troubled Water”as the show honored Rob Reiner, Sam Neill, Tim Curry, Isaiah Whitlock Jr., James Van Der Beek, and Catherine O’Hara. It was one of the night’s most emotional moments, right up until viewers started naming the stars who weren’t included.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chuck Norris, Peter Cullen, Tom Kane, Daveigh Chase, Patrick Muldoon, and Nicholas Brendon were all left out of the montage. The Brendon omission hit hardest for Buffy fans, since the telecast featured a full Buffy reunion and included his co-star Anthony Head in the tribute. Peter Cullen’s absence also stung, because his voice as Optimus Prime shaped childhoods across multiple generations.
In Memoriam segments are always racing a clock, and producers have to make tough calls every single year. Even so, when the missing names read like a nostalgia playlist for anyone under forty, fans are going to ask questions. Which omission bothered you the most? Sound off in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.