The In Memoriam segment of the 2026 Emmy Awards telecast featured lengthy tributes to icons Rob Reiner, Dolly Parton and Catherine O’Hara. But also omitted some significant television performers who have died over the past year.
Perhaps the most notable omission was Chuck Norris, the rugged action star who died in March at 86. Norris was the longtime star of the enduring pop culture hit Walker, Texas Ranger that ran for 196 episodes from 1993 to 2001.
Also missing was Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon, who died in March at 54, after a number of years suffering addiction and health problems. Brendon’s omission was all the more notable as the In Memoriam did recognize his Buffy co-star Anthony Head.
Daveigh Chase, who tragically died in June at 35, was another notable omission. Chase starred in Lilo & Stitch: The Series, Big Love, Oliver Beene and Betsy’s Kindergarten Adventures. She died after battling meningitis and an infection in her blood that led to septic issues. It was later revealed that Chase died of AIDS, with “chronic polysubstance use” listed as a secondary cause.
Patrick Muldoon, best known for his roles as Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives, was also missing. Muldoon died in April at 57. As was The Gong Show panelist Jaye P. Morgan, and legendary voice actors Peter Cullen and Tom Kane.
Macaulay Culkin, Annie Murphy and Dan Levy introduced this year’s In Memoriam segment following a tribute to their onscreen mother, the late Catherine O’Hara. Murphy, O’Hara’s Schitt’s Creek co-star, began her tribute by noting, “Catherine’s laugh was a perpetual yes and…” She added, “It challenged anyone who heard it to join in and be as delighted as she was, and she spread that delight everywhere.”
Noah Kahan then performed the 1970 Simon and Garfunkel song “Bridge over Troubled Water” during the telecast that remembered TV legends such as Tim Curry, Heroes‘ Hayden Panettiere, Lizzie McGuire‘s Robert Carradine, Dawson’s Creek‘s James Van Der Beek, General Hospital‘s Anthony Geary, The Wire‘s Isiah Whitlock Jr., Sanford and Son‘s Demond Wilson, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century‘s Gil Gerard, Lassie‘s June Lockhart, Alice‘s Diane Ladd, Port Charles‘ Pat Crowley, Euphoria‘s Eric Dane, Broken Trail‘s Robert Duvall and Peaky Blinders‘ Sam Neill.
In a special tribute to Rob Reiner, Jamie Lee Curtis took to the stage to share some warm words about her late friend, and posthumous Emmy-winner. Curtis began her speech by first acknowledging the passing of Cheers co-creator James Burrows, who was another close friend of Reiner’s. Referring to Reiner as “another cherished legend,” and “our beloved Meathead,” in reference to his character on All In The Family, Curtis said: “Last week, Robbie won an Emmy for guest actor in a comedy series for his beautiful work on The Bear, and he now holds the record of 48 years for the longest gap between acting Emmys, which was previously held by his father Carl Reiner, at 37 years.”
“He was generous and kind and funny as hell, and a friend to all. We all miss Rob and Michelle and all those we lost this year,” Curtis added.
The iconic Dolly Parton also received a fitting tribute at the Emmys this year. Emmy-winner Sally Field introduced singer Reba McEntire, who performed a rendition of Parton’s 1983 song “Appalachian Memories.”
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