TLDR
After a moving Rob Reiner tribute, the Oscars In Memoriam quietly omitted recently deceased fan favorites James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane, stirring grief, anger, and doubts about how the film industry chooses whom to honor on its biggest night.
Oscar Night’s Quiet Omission
The 2026 Oscars delivered feel-good movie moments, from Michael B. Jordan’s Best Actor win to a tender tribute to director Rob Reiner. Then the lights softened for the In Memoriam segment, that brief, solemn heartbeat when Hollywood pauses to say goodbye.
Names and faces floated across the screen. Yet for many viewers, two absences were impossible to ignore. James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane, who both died in February, never appeared. According to TMZ, fans flooded social media within minutes to ask why two of television’s most recognizable leading men had been left out.
Some viewers wrote that the omission felt like “a slap to anyone who grew up with these shows.” Many pointed out that the series “Dawson’s Creek” and “Grey’s Anatomy” helped define late 1990s and 2000s television, and that both actors also had notable film credits, from Van Der Beek in “Varsity Blues” to Dane in “Valentine’s Day.”
The Academy has never publicly shared a detailed rulebook for who makes the In Memoriam reel, but the understanding is simple. The tribute is meant to honor artists who contributed to the motion picture industry. For fans who watched Van Der Beek and Dane move between television and film, the criteria seemed to fit, which only deepened the hurt.
Two TV Hearts, One Legacy
For Gen X and older millennials, James Van Der Beek will always be the sensitive, conflicted face of “Dawson’s Creek.” He carried that fame into movies like “Varsity Blues,” while building a mid-career reputation for gently poking fun at his own teen-idol image.
According to People, Van Der Beek revealed in late 2024 that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer, telling the magazine he remained “optimistic” even as he faced grueling treatment. TMZ reports that he died in February at 48, his illness helping spark a sobering conversation in Hollywood about how quickly medical bills can strip away even steady television earnings.
Eric Dane belonged to a later wave of TV obsession. As Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on “Grey’s Anatomy,” he turned a supporting role into a pop culture event, then reached a new generation through the HBO drama “Euphoria.” Variety reported that Dane died at 53 after a battle with ALS, leaving behind a career that moved easily between hospital scrubs, teen drama, and ensemble film work.
In recent weeks, those who loved him have been open about the shock. TMZ highlighted how former partner Priya Jain admitted she was still processing his death, a reminder that behind the glossy montage images are families and exes staring at a very real empty chair.
What the Academy Is Not Saying
According to TMZ, the outlet reached out to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for comment on why Van Der Beek and Dane were omitted, but received no response. As of publication, the Academy has not publicly addressed the decision.
Every year, the In Memoriam segment provokes debate. Some omissions come down to time, some to classification, and some remain mysteries. Yet this year felt personal for the generation that came of age with “Dawson’s Creek” angst and “Grey’s Anatomy” Thursday nights, then watched both actors navigate the uneasy middle ground between youthful fame and adult roles.
The stakes go beyond a missing photo on a broadcast. For families, a few seconds on that screen can feel like official recognition that a life’s work mattered in Hollywood history. For the Academy, choices about who appears in that montage shape its reputation as a caretaker of the industry’s collective memory. Leaving James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane out turned a moment of reflection into a fresh reminder that not every beloved face is included in the story.
Do you think the Oscars should formally revisit how they choose In Memoriam honorees, especially for stars whose careers blended television and film?
