In the past year, there have unfortunately been many passings of stars in the movie world: Rob Reiner, Catherine O’Hara, Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, and Brigitte Bardot are just a few. For the 2026 awards, The Oscars extended the traditional “In Memoriam” segment to accommodate proper tributes to some of the biggest names lost. But despite the extensive homages paid to these giants in film, the ceremony received mixed reactions due to the large number of prominent figures it left out.
One of the most acclaimed tributes was that dedicated to world-famous director Rob Reiner, the source of widely beloved movies like “When Harry Met Sally,” “The Princess Bride,” and “Stand by Me.” Earlier this year, Reiner and his wife were tragically slaughtered in their Los Angeles home by the couple’s son, Nick Reiner. Actor Billy Crystal, having worked extensively with Reiner, led the moving tribute. It included a collection of notable participants in Reiner’s films, many times holding hands while the audience clapped in appreciation of his work.
“My friend Rob’s movies will last for lifetimes because they were about what makes us laugh and cry and what we aspire to be: far better in his eyes, far kinder, far funnier, and far more human..” said Crystal of Reiner according to The Guardian.
Another highly praised director who passed away in 2025 was Robert Redford, who died peacefully during the night in his home near Provo, Utah. Redford, known for movies such as “The Sting” and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” was memorialized by actress Barbara Streisand, who co-starred with him in Redford’s 1973 film “The Way We Were.” Streisand remembered her friend by singing part of that film’s title track and delivering some emotional words about him. At the Oscar’s Vanity Fair after party, actress Jane Fonda, who worked with Reiner four times, questioned why Streisand did the honor of the tribute instead of herself.
“[Streisand] only made one movie with him, I made four … I have more to say,” the multiple-time Oscar winner jokingly added while talking to a red carpet reporter.
The third figure who was memorialized at the notorious award ceremony was actress Diane Keaton. Her death was unexpected to many, as no sickness had been reported before her passing. According to People, the award-winning actress’ family shared that she died of pneumonia on Oct. 11 at age 79. The relatives said that donations to any food banks or animal shelters would be the best way to remember the “The Godfather” actress, as these were the causes she most cared about and contributed to during her life. At the event, which she had before been both a nominee and winner, Keaton was remembered by Rachel McAdams, who played her daughter in “The Family Stone”.
“For over 50 years, luminous on screen and indelible in life, believe me when I say there isn’t an actress of my generation who is not inspired by and enthralled with her absolute singularity,” McAdams said in her speech, as recorded by The Guardian.
Other late entertainers such as Catherine O’Hara, Robert Duvall, and Diane Ladd did get a bit of their work shown on the broadcast as well.
This year’s tributes were well received and appreciated, but many believed the segment was still lacking.
Anger was expressed online about the lengthy list of snubs made. A few of the most important names not mentioned were Brigiette Bardot, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek. Some who were not honored had careers more in television than in film. In Bardot’s case, an assortment of discriminatory comments she had made during her life resurfaced after her passing, causing controversy. Other notable deaths were memorialized solely on the award ceremony’s website, including Desmond Wilson, Loretta Smit, Danielle Spencer, James Ransone, George Wendt and Julian McMahon.
