Emmys In Memoriam Excludes Chuck Norris, ‘Buffy’ Actor Nicholas Brendon and More

Recent coverage from outlets including The Boston Globe, Entertainment Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, and Variety details the emotional In Memoriam segment at the 2026 Emmys. During the ceremony, Noah Kahan performed the song 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' to accompany the tribute segment. However, the broadcast quickly drew widespread attention for the notable figures who were left out of the montage. According to the reporting, several well-known actors and public personalities did not appear in the televised tribute, prompting immediate public discussion. Publications such as Entertainment Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter, and Variety explicitly emphasize the specific omissions in their reports.

The Hollywood Reporter and Variety note that Chuck Norris, Patrick Muldoon, and Daveigh Chase were omitted from the tributes. Meanwhile, Entertainment Weekly and Variety specifically highlight that Robert Redford and Nicholas Brendon, recognized for his work on Buffy, were also left out of the 2026 Emmys segment. At the same time, coverage from The Boston Globe and Billboard focuses heavily on the emotional weight of the tribute and the musical performance delivered by Noah Kahan. This ongoing trend places a spotlight on the perennial challenges television award shows face when curating tribute segments within strict broadcast time constraints. The annual In Memoriam segment routinely triggers public scrutiny regarding who is included or excluded from the broadcast montage.

Because the television industry loses numerous prominent creators, performers, and behind-the-scenes personnel each year, selection committees must make difficult choices about which names to feature on air. As the discussion continues across entertainment media, coverage does not yet specify whether producers or organizers will issue a formal response or update online directories to address the omissions. Observers and fans will likely monitor whether future industry ceremonies alter their tribute selection processes or address the exclusions in subsequent statements.