2026 Emmys In Memoriam Snubs Chuck Norris, Nicholas Brendon, and Other TV Veterans

Key points

• The 2026 Emmy Awards In Memoriam segment featured tributes to Dolly Parton, Rob Reiner, and Catherine O'Hara, with performances by Noah Kahan and emotional remarks from Jamie Lee Curtis and Macaulay Culkin.
• Notable omissions from the on-air segment included Chuck Norris, Nicholas Brendon, Patrick Muldoon, Daveigh Chase, Jaye P. Morgan, Peter Cullen, and Tom Kane.
• Chuck Norris, who died in March 2026, was not mentioned despite his eight-season run on 'Walker, Texas Ranger.' Nicholas Brendon, a star of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' was also absent from the official list.
• Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz delivered a separate tribute to the 'Buffy' cast, acknowledging a 'tough two years' for the group, which indirectly referenced Brendon's death without naming him.
• The Television Academy explained that time constraints prevent the inclusion of every deceased television figure in the televised segment, noting that a more comprehensive roster is available on its website.
• Social media reaction to the omissions was described as muted this year, with only a handful of media outlets highlighting the snubs, unlike the outrage seen in previous years.

Background

The 2026 Emmy Awards ceremony took place on Monday, September 14, 2026. The In Memoriam segment is a traditional part of the broadcast, honoring industry figures who have passed since the previous ceremony. Past years have seen significant public backlash when notable names are omitted from the on-air tribute, leading to the Television Academy maintaining a separate, more extensive list of the deceased on its website. The 2026 ceremony included specific tributes for Dolly Parton, who died in late August, and Rob Reiner, as well as Catherine O'Hara, whose 'Schitt's Creek' co-stars and 'Home Alone' co-star Macaulay Culkin participated in her tribute.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline and Variety both reported on the omissions in the 2026 Emmy Awards In Memoriam segment, agreeing on the names of the omitted figures, including Chuck Norris, Nicholas Brendon, and Patrick Muldoon. Both outlets noted that the response to the snubs was muted compared to previous years. Deadline highlighted the separate tribute to the 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' cast by Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz, which indirectly acknowledged Brendon's death. Variety emphasized the time constraints faced by the Television Academy and pointed out that the ceremony included more tributes than usual, featuring figures like Tim Curry and Hayden Panettiere. Both sources agreed that the Television Academy's website provides a more comprehensive list of the deceased, including those not shown on air.

Why it matters

The omissions in the 2026 Emmy Awards In Memoriam segment highlight the ongoing tension between the Television Academy's need to balance tributes within a tight broadcast schedule and the public's expectation for comprehensive recognition of deceased industry figures. While the muted response to this year's snubs suggests a shift in public sentiment, the incident underscores the limitations of televised memorials and the importance of the Academy's online resources for a more complete record of the industry's losses.

What to watch

The Television Academy will continue to maintain its comprehensive list of deceased television figures on its website. Future Emmy Awards ceremonies will likely face similar challenges in balancing tributes within time constraints, potentially leading to further omissions from the on-air In Memoriam segment. The muted response to this year's snubs may influence how the Academy approaches future tributes, but the fundamental issue of time constraints remains unresolved.